Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

connexion with the building, commencing with the labours of Whitfield in 1744, and continued to the present time. On Thursday, September the 4th, a social tea-meeting of the young persons of the congregation, with the pastors and deacons, was held. Various hymns, composed for the occasion, were sung, and addresses delivered by the youthful members of the church. A final prayer-meeting, numerously attended, closed these interesting services, on the following evening.

We give the following extract from the Rev. W. Spencer's interesting "Jubilee Memorial:"

|

Levi the publican, at the receipt of custom, take nothing of the multitudes that come to are now so much my friends that they will hear me preach, saying, " God forbid that we should sell the Word of God." Well might Mr. W. devoutly add, 'O, the hearts of all men are in the hands of the Lord!'

visits to Plymouth, a young man, then in his "Five years prior to the first of these eighteenth year, had been converted to God through the perusal of one of Mr. Whitfield's sermons on the doctrine of the new birth, and had given many proofs, both by the general "The Rev. George Whitfield paid at least desire to promote the spiritual welfare of consistency of his conduct, and by his anxious seven visits to this neighbourhood; the first in others, of the reality of the change through 1744, two others in 1749, a fourth in 1750, which he had past. That young man was another, in 1751, a sixth in 1752, and another in 1760. In the first of these visits the hand of tablet on the left of our pulpit is erected. Mr. Andrew Kinsman, to whose memory the God is most distinctly to be traced. Being about No sooner did he hear of Mr. W. being in to proceed on one of his voyages to America, this neighbourhood than he hastened from he had engaged his passage at Portsmouth; but Tavistock, where he then resided, to hear him when the time for sailing arrived, he writes: preach. He subsequently removed to PlyThe Captain in which I was to sail from mouth, and devoted to the service of God the thence would not take me, for fear of spoiling piece of ground on which the Old Tabernacle his sailors.' Thus disappointed, he came to Plymouth, and, according to his usual cusnow stands, to the erection of which building tom, embraced every opportunity of preach-buted. Before he left his native town he had both himself and his wife liberally contriing to the people until the time of his embarkation. The opposition he encountered was exceedingly violent, and he very narrowly escaped assassination. These occur

[ocr errors]

rences, however, though painful in themselves, were overruled for good, 'curiosity having led perhaps two thousand more than ordinary to see and hear a man that had liked to have been murdered in his bed.' Many were converted to God by these discourses. Amongst them the late Rev. Henry Tanner, of Exeter, and a Mr. David Daw, an eminently holy man, who for forty-five years read the hymns in the services of this church and was one of its deacons from its organization.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

"Several references are found in the letters of Mr. Whitfield respecting his visits to this town. Thus he writes: Last night many from the Dock came and guarded me home, being apprehensive there was a design against me.' Again, he says: Matters go on better and better here.**** We are looking out for a proper place for a Society, and to expound in. People come daily to me, and especially from the Dock, under convictions.' In another letter he writes: Some persons formerly prejudiced against me, have offered to give me a piece of ground, surrounded with walls, for a Society-room.' In another brief note he says: 'We came from Dock in the evening singing and praising God.' the postscript to another, he writes: 'I must tell you one thing more. There is a ferry over to Plymouth (this was written long before any bridge existed across Stonehouse Creek), and the ferry-men, who were, like

In

preached there occasionally with much acceptance and success. But he was so far from intruding into the ministry, that the utPlymouth was to read a sermon to the conmost he could be prevailed upon to do at gregation assembling in the Tabernacle, whenever a vacancy occurred. The pulpit was generally supplied by the colleagues of and Adams, and Middleton are found in the Mr. Whitfield, and the names of Cennick, list of the earlier preachers at that place. These supplies were kindly entertained by Mr. Kinsman in their visits, without any expense to themselves or to the infant cause; himself entered fully upon ministerial engagebut it was not until the year 1750 that he

ments.

this neighbourhood, he wrote from hence to "On the second visit of Mr. Whitfield to the Countess of Huntingdon, under date February 16th, 1749: From Kingsbridge to Plymouth is near twenty post miles. Hither I came last night. About ten miles from the town I met several of my spiritual children, who came on horseback to see me. When I waiting to hear the word, and received mo came into the town, many hundreds were with great joy. Though it was past seven in the morning, I thought it my duty to comat night, and I had preached at Kingsbridge cording, I called upon them in a place styled ply with the people's importunity, and acthe Tabernacle, built since I have been absent, alteration in the people since I first came to behold the Lamb of God. I find a strange among them, now above four years ago.

Many were then awakened and truly converted to the blessed Jesus. I write in a house belonging to a married couple, who call me their spiritual father. Plymouth seems to be quite a new place to me.'

"The married couple' to whom Mr. Whitfield refers were the Kinsmans. And he is right in saying that both of them regarded him as their spiritual father.' Mrs. K. was brought to God under his ministry whilst he was detained here during his first visit, and, as I have been informed, by the delivery of the very sermon, the perusal of which was blest to her husband, before her acquaintance with him. From this time they became most intimate with their beloved friend, and Mr. K. was the frequent companion of Whitfield in his various itineracies. He became also very popular in London. The late Rev. Cornelius Winter writes: 'The state of things at the Tabernacle and Tottenham Court Chapel differed then from what it is in the present day, in this, that the supplies were not very considerable, Mr. Kinsman excepted.' The first sermon, in the former of these buildings, was preached by him. His acceptability and usefulness were also very great at Bristol, and Mr. W. used to speak of that city as Kinsman's America.' He was

6

a man of agreeable appearance, and possessed entire command over a most melodious voice. His natural disposition was amiable, and his whole character becoming the gospel of Christ. The evangelical purity of the doctrines which he taught, the elegant simplicity of his manner, and the affecting tenderness with which he addressed all classes of hearers, accompanied by the Divine energy of the Holy Spirit, rendered him both a very popular and useful minister.'

AMERICAN SAILORS.

WE have before us the VIIth Annual Report of " The Pennsylvania Seaman's Friend Society," read to the general meeting lately held in Philadelphia. In that city there is a SAILOR'S HOME provided with every needful comfort, together with a suitable library. During the past year nine hundred and fiftyfive boarders have been accommodated, while waiting for berths in vessels. Many have signed the temperance pledge; and the good effects of the kind provision made for the sailor during the interval of his labours and dangers on the ocean, are apparent from the fact, that the captains of the American coasting vessels generally seek a sober, steady crew, by applying to "The Sailor's Home." For those who are houseless, and yet to whom society is so much indebted for its comforts, its luxury, and its splendour, it is a happiness that there are some benevolent and considerate persons, who think of, at least providing them a home; temporary, indeed, but still a home to the tempest-tossed mariner.

In addition to a kind provision for personal comforts, the society maintains a chaplain for religious services, and supplies the sailor with copies of the Holy Scriptures, and suitable books for reading at sea. The society has agents and chaplains in foreign ports, where there are also stations furnished with accommodation for the seamen, when far from their American home. One of the chaplains of "The American Seamen's Friend Society" has, in a distant part of the world, been applied to by about a thousand seamen during the year, to borrow books and to converse on serious subjects.

In Philadelphia, we learn, that there are three churches of different denominations, where the services are especially adapted to the circumstances of sailors. The Rev. Albert Barnes, the well-known annotator on the Scriptures, is one of the vice-presidents; and there is an auxiliary society conducted by ladies.

"On the third visit of Mr. Whitfield to these towns, he remained for a few days only; but, with his usual zeal, he employed himself most diligently in proclaiming the gospel of salvation. In the postscript of a letter to the Countess of Huntingdon, dated August 15th, 1749, he writes: Since I wrote the above, The increasing regard paid to the welfare God has given me a glorious season at the of our seamen may induce some in Great Dock, where I preached to a great multitude. Britain, or elsewhere, to wish for an opporThis morning the King of kings showed him-tunity of communicating with this excellent self in the gallery of his ordinances indeed, and this evening I preached to many thousands in Plymouth fields. It was a solemn meeting. Since then, a youth, laden with a sense of sin, came to me saying, "What shall I do to be saved?" May Jesus give him rest.' Respecting his fourth visit, he wrote: preached twelve times in six days, and the longer I preached, the more hearers, and the power that attended the word increased also. Friends grow more hearty, and enemies more softened.' Of his fifth visit he says,-' At Plymouth we had sweet seasons.'

I

society. For that purpose, they may address the REV. E. H. MAY, the corresponding secretary, and formerly pastor of the Congregational church at Croydon, Surrey, now of Philadelphia; or, as Mrs. May is now at Croydon, on a visit for her health, such communications may be addressed through her, and any further information be obtained.

We cannot but wish well to such institutions, whether in our own country or abroad, and trust that this intelligence may promote the good of the sailor, to whom we are all so much indebted for the various comforts, and even the necessaries of life.

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][ocr errors]

MADAGASCAR.

THE persecution that has been maintained with unabated rigour in this island, for several years past, bears a painful resemblance to the awful scenes perpetrated, both by Jewish and Gentile adversaries, when the first preachers of Christianity went forth, and converts were won to the faith which they preached. In both cases we find despotic power, a jealous intolerance of innovation, and remorseless cruelty arrayed on the side of the oppressor; but we find, also, a noble simplicity of purpose and patient endurance of wrong on the part of the oppressed. It is further observable, that the casting of incense on the altars of the Pagan deities, which absolved the offerer from the dangerous suspicion of being a follower of the Nazarene, finds its counterpart in the test applied by the Queen of Madagascar, of adhesion to the national creed, viz., the administration of an oath of homage to her dead ancestors and the idols. Like cases produce like effects. The spirit of persecution may now, as in former ages, do its worst; and some who had named the name of Christ, may, in the day of trial, be found to waver; but others are prepared to endure hardness and even death itself, in its most fearful forms, rather than deny the faith; while many of God's hidden ones, discouraged! for the moment, but not convinced by the stringent arguments of the oppressor, in due season will come forth as confessors and champions of the faith.

It is known to many of our readers that, during the persecution in Madagascar, in 1849, eighteen individuals were called to seal their testimony with their blood. From a journal kept by one of the native Christians, which has recently come to hand, we are now enabled to furnish a more detailed account of the events of that disastrous period. The document, written in the Malagasy language, has been kindly translated by the Rev. David Griffiths, formerly of the Madagascar Mission, and its authenticity and faithfulness may be entirely relied upon. The document, however, is long, and owing to frequent repetitions and the redundancy of the native style, it cannot be given entire. In the following narrative it has accordingly undergone modification, but only so far as to render it more concise and intelligible than in its original form. NOTICES OF THE PERSECUTION OF 1849, ABRIDGED FROM THE JOURNAL OF A CHRISTIAN WITNESS.

"The persecution was commenced on Monday, the 19th February, 1849, by an order from the Queen's government to demolish two private houses, used as places of worship, and which order was carried into effect.

"At this time five individuals were arrested and put in chains. All possible means were used to induce the prisoners to implicate

their companions, which three of them courageously refused to do, but the other two at length gave in the names of several of their fellow-Christians, of whom four* were taken into custody.

* The history of one of these four persons, named Andriantsivoanaby, is particularly interesting. He entered one of the country schools, in the year 1824, kept at a village eight miles to the north of the capital. He soon distinguished himself as one

[ocr errors]

"On the 22nd February, two other persons, a father and son, were arrested. On the 29th, numbers of the people were summoned to meet the officers of the queen, to know her will as to the manner in which those who persisted in the profession of the Christian faith were to be dealt with. These are the words of the queen,' declared the officers on one of these occasions, 'which we have to tell you:-"I ask you," saith the queen, "tell me the truth, and tell me no falsehood,-what is the reason you will not forsake the very root of this new religion and mode of worship? For I have deprived officers of their honours, put some to death, and reduced others to unredeemable slavery, and you still persevere in practising this new religion. What is the reason that you will not renounce it?" Whereupon two of the Christians, in the name of their companions, replied, 'that they were restrained by reverence for God and his law.'

"Another gathering of the people took place on the 25th, when the queen, by the mouth of her officers, again addressed them to the following effect: If any new religion or mode of worship, and especially this worship of yours, be introduced and practised in my country, I forbid it; for it shall never be done. These are the things that are prohibited, the practice of baptism, abstinence from work on the Sabbath-day; forbidding to swear by father, mother, sister, or brother, or by the queen; refusing to sacrifice bullocks, or to worship idols of wood or stone. Therefore come forward all of you that have done so, and confess, that I may determine what punishment to inflict upon you; but if any one shall wait till he is accused by another, that person shall be punished without mercy.'

"On the 14th March, nine persons, five of whom were women, belonging to the province of Vonizongo, when called upon to take the

of the best scholars in the school, was appointed a teacher in 1826, and continued to hold the office until 1829, when, with hundreds of the teachers and scholars, he was drawn for the army. There he was soon promoted, and became secretary and aid-de-camp to one of the generals. In 1834, he lost his sight, and, on account of this misfortune, was dismissed the service. He had been a faithful and efficient teacher and a powerful speaker, and so long as he continued in the army was highly respected by his general. He was moreover a humble, zealous, and devoted Christian, and was at last called to seal his testimony for Christ with his blood.-Note by Mr. Gr ffiths.

oath required by the queen's officers, declared their adhesion to the Christian faith, and were forthwith put in chains and wrapped in

mats.

"On the 16th, a pious soldier, having refused to conform to the royal ordinance, was also loaded with chains and wrapped in mats.

"On the 21st, all the people who were self-convicted of having been secret followers of the new religion were, with those of the province of Vonizongo, ordered to repair to Analakely, to take the required oath, and they were accordingly compelled to invoke upon their heads all the curses that the deceased deified kings, and the idols, and the twelve holy mountains, could inflict upon them, should they so transgress any more. An officer, however, of the 5th honour boldly declared, that he would not conform to the ways and manner of this world, and, when called upon to take the oath, made answer— 'It is God alone that I will worship, for he, and he alone, can do all things for me, and I shall not pray to any other object whatever.' He was thereupon put into chains, to await the queen's pleasure.

"On the 22nd, the swearing in of the people was continued; when two more confessors, one of them a retainer of the queen's nephew, Prince Ramanja, refused to conform, and were put under arrest. On the following day, their example was followed by two others, and with the like result. One of these last, Ramany, also a retainer of Prince Ramanja, stood up before the people, and said, 'I believe in God, for he alone can do all things for me; and I wish to obey whatever he commands me; but as to swearing by the queen, or by one's mother or sister, or by one's father or brother, a lie is a lie still, whether you swear to it or not. I believe in God, and put my trust in Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Redeemer of all that believe in him.' He was then put in chains, with his companions, to await the queen's pleasure. At the same time, a female named Ranivo, of the tribe of Ralambo (the descendants of the first kings of Imerina), avowed her confidence in the God of the Christians, and was cast into prison.

"The 24th, 25th, and 26th, were occupied in inquiries among the people as to the houses where they assembled to worship, and who

« EdellinenJatka »