APRIL, 1831. Biography. FURTHER NOTICES OF THE LATE REV. JOHN KINDLINGER. AN Obituary of the Rev. John Kindlinger was inserted in the Missionary Register for July 1829 (pp. 287-291). A recent communication from the Rev. J. C. T. Winckler contains a sketch of the early part of Mr. Kindlinger's life; the particulars of which the Committee were not in possession of when the former Article was prepared. Mr. Winckler was the fellow-student of Mr. Kindlinger at Bâsle, his fellow-labourer at Pulicat, and, with the concurrence of the Netherlands' Missionary Society, joined the Church Missionary Society together with him, in March 1827. Mr. Winckler remarks, in reference to his departed colleague I have been acquainted with our late Brother Kindlinger since January 1817, at which time he joined us in the Institution at Bâsle. As I have not read any thing of his former life in the Obituary given in the Missionary Register, I would take this opportunity of informing the Committee of a few additional interesting particulars respecting him; to some of which I have been witness, when at Bâsle; and the rest I have from Mr. Kindlinger's repeated narration. Mr. Winckler then gives the following particulars relative to Mr. Kindlinger. He was born in a province which, during the wars of the French with Austria, was first attached to the Austrian, then to the Bavarian, and now again to the Austrian Territories. He was born and breda Roman Catholic; to which persuasion he, together with his parents and relations,conscientiously adhered, according to their knowledge. Of the Protestant Religion he had at that time-before he left his country, at about the age of 18-no other notion than that which was spread by report in those then dark regions; namely, that the Protestants denied God and Christ altogether. When he left his country, to make journeys to other places, he was especially warned not to meddle too much with Protestants. Having journeyed about, and having been employed in divers places April, 1831. in France and Switzerland, he came at length to St. Gallen; where, by the providence of God, he attended on the ministry of a Priest who was of his own persuasion, but who declared pure Evangelical Principles from the pulpit, and had besides friendly intercourse with some pious Protestants. By these means he was made attentive to the state of his heart, and was led to compare the Roman-Catholic with the Protestant Religion, without feeling prejudice for one or the other. As his mind became gradually enlightened and strengthened by the Truth, he confessed his decided approbation of the Evangelical Religion: and feeling the blessed effects of the Gospel on his own heart, he was warmed with tender concern for souls; first, for his own, still unenlightened, Relatives, and also for others of their persuasion. Becoming, through his friends, acquainted with Missionary Exertions, and hearing of the then (1816) newly-erected Institution at Bâsle to train up Young Men for Missionary Service among the Heathen, he expressed to some friends his desire to devote himself to this object. His friends applied for his reception into the Seminary at Bâsle; and while this was going on in his behalf, he visited once more his home, to take leave of his Relatives, and to sow whatever good seed he could, without making too much noise. Mr. Kindlinger's Father was already dead: his aged Mother, a Brother, and some Sisters, were the principal objects of his concern. According to his own Y account, a very favourable impression of the pure Gospel was then made on the heart of one of his Sisters and of an Uncle; but his Brother and his Mother had some suspicions of his having become a Heretic, Mr. Kindlinger did not then find it advisable to acquaint his Relatives with his intention above noticed, but left them with the fervent wish and prayer that the Father of Lights might open their eyes also, to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and make them partakers of that free and full salvation which is received by Faith. On this topic he afterwards, while in Bâsle and Holland, addressed several tender Letters to them; in which I had the pleasure to see how Scriptural, plain, and pathetic a description he gave of the distinguishing Doctrines of the Gospel-Justification, Regeneration, Sanctification, &c. Whether he heard, before his death, of any salutary effect of his Letters, I am not informed; but have no doubt, that that seed, also, has not been lost, and will produce its fruit in due season. Mr. Kindlinger, having subsequently (Jan. 1817) been received into the Bâsle Seminary, endeavoured, by redoubled exertions, to come up to an equality with the other Students; who had the advantage of him, in having, during the halfyear from the beginning of the Institution, gone through the first principles of the different branches. But scarcely was Mr. Kindlinger tolerably advanced in every respect, when his health failed him. He had a weak`ness all over his body, and could not move his limbs without much exertion and pain. Many means proved unsuccessful at length he was sent, by medical advice; to a healthy village on a mountain in French Switzerland; where residing with the late father of the Rev. P. P. Schaffter for several months, and enjoying all the means prescribed for his recovery, his complaint abated a little. But now the heaviest trial for him came on; and his faith was put to the test, and proved victorious. The time having arrived when a party of the Students, among whom was the writer of this, was about to be sent to Holland, to enter into the service of the Netherlands' Missionary Society, and another party was about to proceed to England in the service of the Church Missionary Society, it was judged that Mr. Kindlinger, on account of the unpropitious state of his health, could not join either. Mr. Kind linger, having heard of it, was unspeakably afflicted, fearing that he would be altogether found incapable for Missionary Service. He wrestled with the Lord in prayer; and, notwithstanding his debilitated state, left his mountain abode, and came down to Bàsle, walking in one day a distance of thirty miles. His sudden appearance at Bâsle caused surprise among the Directors of the Institution; but the very fervent solicitations of Mr. Kindlinger, and the faith which he manifested on this occasion, prevailed with them to venture on sending him with us to Holland, though he was not among the number engaged by that Society. He was, however, received by the Netherlands' Missionary Society; and soon after his residence in Holland the Lord entirely removed his complaint, by causing the internal sickness to break out in a strong eruption of the skin. This instance of the late Mr. Kindlinger's faith, and of the Lord's gracious interposition in a seemingly hopeless case, I could not omit; as it often served as a stimulus to him to venture more on the Lord. Mr. Winckler closes the foregoing narrative of the early life of his departed Brother with the following remarks on Mr. Kindlinger's labours at Pulicat, and his own re-appointment to that Station. And now I am called to be his successor in that sphere in which, nine years ago, he began his labours; and in which he was for some years assisted by Mr. Irion, and for a very short space by me also. It seems as if the Lord had heard his dying wish," that Pulicat might not be forsaken, and that the work, there begun, might not come to nought." Whatever other means, or secondary causes, have effected my removal to Pulicat, I firmly believe the Lord has thereby answered the dying prayer of Br. Kindlinger. And though, as yet, I am not fully acquainted with all the particulars respecting the Schools and Congregations, and the present feeling of the Heathens and Mahomedans in the place and round about, I have learned and seen already that the way for the entrance of the Lord, and His Kingdom, has in a good measure been prepared; and perhaps the Lord is granting me the mercy to gather in what has been sown by my predecessors. The details of Mr. Kindlinger's Missionary Life, already published, manifest at once the ardent zeal and steady perseverance with which, accomplished. May those who sur- Proceedings and Entelligence. anxiety to the Committee; an anxiety, however, delightfully rewarded by evident indications that their plans and their labours have been divinely sanctioned, and rendered effectual to the promotion, in some measure, of the object so ardently desired by the Church of Christ. In giving their constant attention to concerns involving so much responsibility to God and to his Church and bearing so powerfully on the spiritual and immortal interests of man, the Committee have been supported and encouraged by the remembrance, that they were the agents of the pious zeal of a considerable portion of the Christian Public-that the Missionaries, under their direction, have given proof of undaunted courage and of holy faithfulness in the unwearied prosecution of their great and benevolent object-and, still more especially, by the sure conviction, that this and all similar Institutions are the graciously accepted instruments of the redeeming purpose of our Common Lord, and are assured of His constant and effectual blessing. General Prosperity of the Missions. The numerous Stations occupied by the Society's Missionaries in every Quarter of the Globe present a variety of circumstances, at once instructive to the observer of human-nature-animating to the faith of the Christian-and urgent in their claims on the philanthropy of our favoured country, for the continuance and increase of those efforts which have already issued in results so interesting. In most of those places where Missions have been established, regularly-organized Christian Societies are walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost; and the deportment of the Members, many of whom are placed under the most unfavourable circumstances of hereditary civil bondage, evinces the power and truth of that Gospel, whose benefits are equally conferred on the Greek and the Barbarian, on the wise and the unwise, on the bond and the free. The stedfast piety of the Societies of our Missions in general, their faithful attachment to the Missionaries. their active zeal, and their liberal sup→ port of the Cause of God established among them, their continual advancement in intelligence and piety, and the deaths occurring every year marked by the triumphs of Faith-are topics, which might be largely illustrated by facts, did the limits of a Report allow; and which the Committee would acknowledge and record with sacred joy and devout gratitude to God, who has thus shewed his work unto his servants, and his glory to their children. Missionaries sent out in 1830. To the Gambia: Mr. and Mrs. Moister —Sierra Leone: Mr. Ritchie-Friendly Islands: Mr. and Mrs. P.Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Watkin, Mr. and Mrs. WoodWest-Indies: Mr. and Mrs. Penny, Mr, and Mrs. Mortier, Mr. Biggs, Mr. and Mrs. Corlett, Mr. Walters, Mr. Rowden, Mr. and Mrs. Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis. Besides these, nine Missionaries were sent to different quarters, for the benefit, chiefly, of English Settlers. Missionaries lately deceased. Since the publication of the last Report, we have had to record the death of five of our Missionaries; viz. Mr. Hyde, West Indies; Mr. Stoup, Ceylon; Mr. Marshall, St. Mary's, Gambia; Mr. Snelgrove, at sea; and Mr. Vowles, Mr. Penman, and Mr. Saxton, in Jamaica. Many years of service had made the names and labours of Mr. Hyde and Mr. Stoup dear and valuable to the Society. Mr. Marshall's personal piety and ministerial diligence, with his acquisitions in the Jaloof Tongue, and the strong interest which he manifested for the conversion of the African Race, make his loss to be severely felt. Mr. Snelgrove met an untimely and watery grave during a storm at sea, before he had opportunity of making proof of his Ministry in the foreign field; and the services of the three latter, though but for a short season, had endeared them to the people, and induced expectations of much future usefulness. While we regret the losses which we have sustained, it becomes us with the deepest gratitude to acknowledge the especial care and watchful providence of our gracious Lord, manifested in the preservation of the lives and health of His servants in general, under circumstances of great exposure, and in climates very unfavourable to European Consti tutions. Missionaries employed by the Society. Ireland, 27-Sweden, 1-France, 5— Western Africa, 3; and 1 AssistantSouth Africa, 15-Mauritius, 2—Mediterranean, 5-Calcutta, 2-South India, 8; and 1 Assistant-Ceylon, 10; and 10 Assistants Australasia, 7- Polynesia, 6-West Indies, 60—British America, 57. Total, 220, at 150 Stations. Members of the Society at Mission Stations. France, 97-Stockholm, 20-Gibraltar, 86-Gambia, 45-Sierra Leone, 294 -South Africa, 528-Malta, 23-Zante, 8-Madras, 156-Negapatam, 23-Bangalore, 135-Ceylon, 686-New SouthWales, 113-Van Diemen's Land, 46— New Zealand, 2-Tonga Islands, 180West Indies, 32,858-British America, 5906. Total, 41,206; being an Increase of 1546. Children in the Mission Schools. Ireland, 4000-Western Africa, (last year's Return, none having been since made,) 160-South Africa, 1072-Mediterranean, 250-India and Ceylon, 4920 -Australasia and Polynesia, 1024West Indies, 10,796-British America, 4218. Total, 26,440; making an Increase of 6326. Conclusion. In concluding their Report, the Committee again recommend this great and interesting Cause to the prayers and liberality of the Friends of Missionary Enterprise and Sacred Benevolence. The object which it contemplates stretches into the regions of eternity; and bounds itself by no limits, but those of the human race, and the exhaustless plenitude of endless salvation. It is not, therefore, to be retarded in its career of high and generous pursuit, by the distinctions of clime and colour, of bond and free; but, with prudence and zeal and intrepidity, it presses onward to the attainment of ultimate success, with unwavering confidence in the promise and power of the Lord of Hosts. Difficulties have presented themselves, and may be again expected to present themselves, in the accomplishment of a work so great and glorious and comprehensive. The armies of the aliens will be arrayed against the progress of the Gospel: bonds and imprisonments, if not tortures and deaths, must be expected to await the heralds of grace in the prosecution of their holy and magnanimous toils: the Prince of the power of the air will still exercise his baneful rule in the hearts of the children of disobedience: the perverse oppositions of unreasonable men will still call for the patience and longsuffering of devoted Missionaries. But the decree is gone forth-Unto Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess: every adverse power shall fall before Him; and He shall be King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. It is not for us, however, to calculate the times and the seasons which the Father hath reserved in His own hands; yet sufficient intimations are afforded, of the influence of prayer and of Missionary Exertions in hastening this desirable event to mark the duty of Christians cordially, actively, and unweariedly to co-operate in accelerating this blissful period of universal piety and peace. For ages, Christians seemed to slumber at their post; and few and feeble were their efforts to rouse themselves to active toil and united energy in the evangelization of Heathen Nations and of Savage Tribes: at length they have started from sleep, and called on one another to drop their minor differences in the noble philanthropy of sending the Bible and the Ministers of Grace to the ends of the earth: they have prayed faithfully, unitedly, and fervently, for the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the nations: they have stimulated one another to love and to good works; and immense sums have been contributed to multiply copies of the Holy Scriptures, and to send holy men of God to those who are perishing for lack of knowledge. God has graciously smiled upon them: He has qualified men to bear the vessels of the Lord, and given them to see of the travail of their Redeemer's soul. Savage tribes have yielded obedience to Christ, and idolatrous nations have cast their idols to the moles and to the bats: barbarians have been civilized, and murderous clans have become peaceable and kind. The Isles already wait for the law of Jehovah: the inhabitants of the rocks are already causing them to re-echo with the voice of thanksgiving and of praise: the wilderness and solitary place are glad, and the desert is rejoicing and blossoming as the rose. Nations and people, prepared for the Lord, are sending and entreating, Come over and help us : a great and effectual door is opened to the people who sat in darkness and in the region of the valley of the shadow of death: the heralds of truth, raised up by the Head of the Church, are standing on our shores and crying to the inhabitants of Britain, "Here are we, send us!" The day of redemption draweth nigh; for yet a little while, and He that shall come will come and will not tarry. The Trumpet of Jubilee has sounded: and one is saying, I am the Lord's: another is calling himself by the name of Jacob; and another is subscribing with his hand unto the Lord, and surnaming himself by the name of Israel; and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the Holy Mount of Jerusalem: and in that day it shall be saidLo! this is our God: we have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the Lord: we have waited for him: we will be glad, and rejoice in his salvation. SERAMPORE MISSIONS. Further Diminution of the Resources of the Brethren. IT appears, from the Appeal of the Serampore Brethren given at pp. 101-105, that Dr. Carey and his two Associates proposed, notwithstanding their diminished means, to appropriate 900 rupees monthly, or 1080l. per annum, to the support of the Missions. Dr. Carey's expectation of being able to pay his third of this sum seems to have been founded on his office of Translator of the Government Regulations; but the following extract of a Letter, of a later date than the Appeal, feelingly expresses his disappointment on this subject: My office of Translator of the Regulations is not yet abolished; but I was informed by a Member of Council, and, indeed, by Lord Bentinck himself, that it was determined on: so that, instead of 1300 rupees which I have drawn monthly, I shall only draw 500. I confess, that the prospect of this great reduction lay very heavily on my mind at first; particularly as it would put it out of my power to contribute any thing to the support of our Missionary Stations: I am, however, convinced that God has acted with infinite wisdom in this affair. I have made constant requests to God, that he would bow my mind to His will, be it what it might. I was most of all distressed at the prospect of our being obliged to relinquish some of our Stations; and the more so, because of the very gloomy accounts, from yourself and |
