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Lines addressed to a Youth.

bours shaded by the snowy wings of departing or of returning commerce-the hum of industry resounding in the streets-and when it was asked what nation had been the parent of such multiplied blessings, the natives would reply,-pointing to the emblem of our sovereignty, the nation with the star-spangled banner. The enthusiasm produced by the orator's discourse was now made manifest. It was at once resolved to form an auxiliary society—a motion was made to adjourn for the purpose of appointing a committee to draft and to report a Constitution at the next meeting-the Society would not consent to this--a Constitution was formed upon the spot, and a Committee is appointed by the Chairman to visit every ward and to obtain signatures. It appears that the President and all the heads of departments have pledged themselves to render all the assistance in their power, both personal and official.

FOR THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.

Lines addressed to a youth far gone in a consumption.
Dear youth, my bosom bleeds for thee,
When thus thy faded form I see,—
So young and yet so near the grave!
And is there none hath power to save?
Is there no radiant beam on high
To light again that languid eye?
To cause that cheek again to bloom,
Now clad in livery of the tomb?
Yes, brother, yes, thy Saviour God
Can soon remove thy sharpest pain,
In love withdraw his chast'ning rod,
And give thee health and joy again.
Or, if it be his righteous will

That thou should'st yet these sorrows bear,
And suffer pain and sickness still,
He bids thee cast on Him thy care.
Tell then to Jesus all thy woes,
Jesus, who once on Calv'ry bled ;-
Go, at his feet thy wants disclose,
And on his bosom rest thy head:
For he will hear the mourner's cry,
His Spirit will sweet comfort bring,
His gracious help is ever nigh,
His love's a never failing spring.
Oh, turn thine eyes from earth to heav'n,
And fix thy trust on Him alone;
He will pronounce thy sins forgiv❜n,
Thy ransom'd spirit he will own.
Then what on earth hast thou to fear,
If Israel's God thy steps attend?
He'll smooth thy bed of sorrow here,
And be, in death, thy guide and friend.

CHRISTIANA.

THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.

VOL. III.]

Saturday, July 26, 1817.

[No. 18.

AFRICAN MISSION.

A letter has lately been received from Mr. Ebner, the missionary employed at AFRICANER's Krall, dated Aug. 28, 1816, from which the following extracts are made:

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Very interesting must be the good news from the shores of Africa to you, and to every one who loves the Lord Jesus and his word-very interesting, that so many sinners are converted to Christ our beloved Saviour, whose arms are still stretched out to embrace them, and that Africa is also stretching out its desiring hands to their blessed God and Redeemer. I never found the word so impressive on the hearts of my hearers as since I have been here with Airicaner. The Spirit of God works with power upon their hearts. I am astonished; I cannot describe what I have experienced since I came hither.'

Mr. Ebner then refers to the conduct of a person of influence, who had once been friendly, but had not only refused to attend the preaching of the word, but had used his influence to prevent others, and whose hostility was greatly feared. The missionary, however, after fervent prayer to God for success, went to the residence of that person, accompanied by four of his pious people, when, by the blessing of God on his prayers, preaching, and conversation, the adversary was softened, and became a friend. which Mr. Ebner says, Thanks be to God for his almighty assistance. He is the Governor of the world, the ruler of our hearts, the friend of needy sinners, and their helper in all their distresses! We have seen his hand. God our Saviour has been with us, and strengthened us; and if he be for us, who can be against us?

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The converted natives, around Mr. Ebner's residence, thus express themselves:

In Jesus we find all our life, comfort, joy, peace and happiness. Without Jesus we cannot live were we to be again without him, we should lose our immortal souls. There is no refuge, nor help, nor rest, nor salvation, but in our gracious Redeemer.

I find, by constant experience, that nothing makes so much impression on the hearts of my hearers, as speaking to them of the dying love of Christ-what he did for poor sinners-his great patience, and long suffering; that breaks their hearts-that melts them into tears, so that old and young frequently cry out, Jesus, help us!'

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Mr. Eoner speaks of several meetings held about Whitsuntide, in which the people were deeply affected, much in the same manner as was related of the people at Bethelsdorp a few years ago; many weeping, some falling prostrate on the ground, and others uttering strong cries; so that he was sometimes obliged to desist from speaking. On one occasion he says, 'When I was pronouncing

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274

Letler from Mr. Ebner, at Africaner's Krall.

the blessing of the Lord on three persons who had been baptized, a general weeping commenced: all went out, one by one, and I was left alone, (like our Lord, John viii. 9.) I stood amazed, say ing to myself, what meaneth this! When I returned to my house, I found some of them praying, others with their eyes fixed on the ground, and others lay upon it as if they were about to expire. But it is impossible to describe the scene; he who never saw such a one cannot form an idea of it, and probably some will not believe it. And because similar circumstances occurred elsewhere (meaning at Bethelsdorp) I was unwilling to write this, fearing that some would discredit the relation; yet, on second thoughts, I determined to write the truth. You, my dear fathers, will doubtless rejoice; and how would it gladden your hearts could you see and hear these poor people offering up their prayers with burning zeal.'

It may be expected that these converts, so lately rude and untaught savages, will express themselves in a manner very different from ours; but the following are remarkably striking, while perhaps they will extort a smile:

Old Africaner thus expressed himself:-'I am glad that I am delivered, I have long enough been the horse of the devil, who employed me in his service; but now I am free from his bondage. Jesus hath delivered me, him will I serve, and with him I will abide.' Now, like Anna, who departed not from the temple, he does not omit attendance on any religious service.

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Some of the converts thus describe the heart of man: Our heart, say they, is, by nature like a Tendeldoos, a tinder-box. When the box is shut, there is no life in the tinder; but as soon as we open the box, and strike with the flint and steel, the sparks enkindle the tinder. Thus is our heart, by nature, shut up like the box, and dead in trespasses and sins; but when the Spirit of God comes, he opens the heart, takes away the cover, and kindles it with his heavenly sparks.'

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They also allude to the custom of serpents. When the serpent creeps out of her old skin, she forsakes also her old hole, and never returns to it again; thus, say they, we must skin off our old sins; creep out of our old state; live a new life; and never more return to our former state."

Mr. Ebner says, he has now about fifty hearers, and about thirty attend the school; but he has reason to expect a considerable addition; others, before referred to, having been kept back. If you could see, says Mr. E. the great hunger and thirst of the people for the word, you would heartily rejoice. I can almost say, with our Saviour, Where much is forgiven, they love much ;' and with the apostle Paul, Where sin abounded, grace doth much more abound.'

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Whoever recollects that on this spot, where Africaner was once the terror of the surrounding country, a Christian church is established, will heartily rejoice and give glory to God.

New Missionaries.

MISSIONARIES ON THEIR WAY TO OTAHEITE.

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Messrs. Orsmond and Barff, Missionaries to Otaheite, arrived at Rio Janeiro on the 16th Sept. after a voyage of ten weeks, having sailed from Cork harbour, Tuesday, July 9, after being detained there nearly four months, waiting for convicts, &c.

The convicts were, for a time, much disposed to mutiny; but were, by degrees, brought to behave better As soon as the missionaries had opportunity, they began to instruct the prisoners. They distributed many tracts among them, which were thankfully received, and read with avidity. These, said some of them, will employ our time, and keep us from mischief.' Several discovered a readiness to learn to read. At length several classes were formed."Nearly thirty, (says Mr. Q.) read the New-Testament in classes, others are spelling, some are writing, and others cyphering.'

Mr. Orsmond frequently read prayers and preached to the people between decks, while Mr. Barf read prayers and preached to the guard, &c. on deck. The men appeared to be very thankful for this attention to their spiritual interest, and some applied for the solution of doubts or difficulties which had occurred to them. In some of these cases, Mr. O sent them notes, referring to several texts of scripture, which he requested the inquirers diligently to

examine.

Mr. O. observes, that it is necessary missionaries should be well acquainted with the evidences of Christianity, and prepared to give satisfactory reasons for the faith to those skeptics, which are every where to be met with. He also remarks, that he made it a rule to leave the dinner table as soon as he conveniently could; judging that religious subjects require more attention and reverence, can generally be expected, while the glasses are frequently emptied and filled; and in this opinion, says he, I am strengthened by Bishop Butler.'

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Among the convicts were, it seems, one person intended to have been a priest, and another person of education who had been an attorney. It is a novelty,' he says, that I should have these persons assisting me, in making extracts from Leland, Butler, Paley, Wardlaw, Chalmers, and Bogue, on the evidences of Christianity.'

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WESLEYAN MISSIONS.

The Committee, during the last year, have sent out 19 additional missionaries, viz. 4 to Ceylon, 1 to Bombay, 1 to the Cape of Good Hope, 4 to the West Indies, 2 to Nova Scotia, 3 to Newfoundland, 1 to Quebec, 1 to Gibralter, 1 to Brussels, 1 to France : making the whole number employed in foreign stations, under the direction of the Methodist Conference, 80.

Twelve preachers, stationed in English circuits, have offered themselves as foreign missionaries, exclusive of those who had acted only as local preachers; several of these have already taken their departure for different stations; and the rest wait the call of God, and the direction of their brethren.

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The Rev. Mr. Marsden has performed a most important service to the Church Missionary Society by his visit to New Zealand, the particulars of which we have not room to insert; but we subjoin his observations on leaving the island.

'It was with the most heartfelt satisfaction that I left New Zealand, not having met with the smallest accident, provocation, or insult. I bad fully accomplished the object of my voyage, and satisfied myself relative to the true character and disposition of these heathens. I was entirely persuaded that there was no real obstruction to their civilization, nor to the introduction of Christianity among them; and that nothing more, in respect to human exertions, was requisite, than common prudence on the part of those who might be engaged in this humane and benevolent undertaking.'

Several of the natives, among whom were sons of the Chiefs, accompanied Mr. Marsden on his return to Port Jackson. Civilization will, no doubt, be promoted by this measure, and which is the final object of the Society, the introduction of the gospel will be facilitated.

Mr. Marsden ascertained that the New Zealanders are all canibals; they acknowledge that it had always been their custom to eat the flesh of their enemies, nor did they appear to have any idea that this was an unnatural crime. When Mr M. expressed the abhorrence in which this practice was held by himself and all Europeans, they were surprised; it appeared to them no more than hanging a criminal does to us; but when Mr. M. represented to Shunghee, a man of high authority, that it was a barbarous and inhuman custom, and a foul disgrace to their nation, he assured him that it should be discontinued.

BURMAH MISSION.

[The following letter from the Rev. A. Judson, missionary at Rangoon, is not of so recent a date as some others from that quarter; but as it gives a succinct account of the first Protestant undertakings to diffuse the light of the Gospel among the benighted inhabitants of the Burman Empire, and as it derives peculiar interest in this country from its commencing the history of the first American missionary establishment in that part of the world, we presume it will be acceptable to our readers.]

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

Rangoon, September 6, 1815.

Yours of July 1st and 10th, 1814, with a copy of the proceedings of the Convention, came to haud yesterday. They have inspired us with new life, and filled our hearts with gratitude and praise. Great is the favour which God has shown the churches in the United States, in exciting them so generally in behalf of the heathen world. He that watereth shall be watered himself. I

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