the top of a high hill, and brought us the joyful intelligence that the ice was dispersing, and leaving the coast. We therefore set out immediately. The state of the sea and ice had so wonderfully changed, that we proceeded with safety, and in the evening arrived at a place called Narksamio, which means, "inhabited by a people in a flat country." Most of the south Greenlanders reside hereabouts. It is the southernmost point of the continent of Greenland, Staatenhuk being an island divided from it by a narrow channel, through which one may pass to the eastern shore. Shortly before we reached Narksamio, we rowed by a place where several tents stood. The inhabitants immediately launched their boats and followed us, to be present at our evening devotions. These good-natured people received me with open arms. They brought me, as it were in procession, to a large grassy plain, and showed me a spot where we might build a house. It is certainly a very eligible station for a settlement, enclosed by two bays fit for shipping, the land sloping gently down towards each, and with a fresh-water brook proceeding from the interior, ever flowing, and full of salmon. For several miles east and west the land is flat, and overgrown with dwarf willows, birch, and juniper bushes, which would supply fuel in abundance. The hills, which are not high, are covered with grass to their tops, this part of the country being thereby distinguished from all the western coast of Greenland. Solicitude of the People for a Missionary establishment. Though I had not acquainted the heathen with our intention to form a mission settlement in this part of the country, nor indeed could as yet give them any certain hope of it, yet our Greenland Brethren, guessing from my constant inquiries about every particular relating to the country, that such a plan had been formed, did not hesitate to tell their countrymen that we should certainly come and settle among them. They were quite in an ecstasy of joy, and came to ask me whether it was indeed true? I was obliged to tell them, that it was our intention, if no impossibility existed to prevent it, to send Brethren to reside with them as teachers: upon which they often addressed me and the assistants, in words to this effect: "O let the teachers make haste, that they may come to us before we die! We shall be impatient to see them arrive. O that the year might be short!" (supposing that the teachers would arrive next year.) I endeavoured, however, to explain to them, that we could not always do as we wished, but that it would depend upon our directors, and upon the impression our report would make on the other side of the water. To this they replied: "Only let it be perceived that you are truly in earnest, and tell them, that our desire is very great. Let one of our Christian countrymen reside among us, to converse with us, and tell us words of God our Saviour, and how we may be saved." This is indeed the only way of instructing these poor heathen. They cannot read; and a distribution of Bibles, or Testaments, or religious tracts among them would be of no use. Several of them expressed a wish, that they might immediately go with us to Lichtenau and settle there: but, as I feared, that with many, all this might be a fire of straw, fierce, but soon extinguished, I admonished them first to consider well what they were doing, to think often on what they had heard, and to form such resolutions as were founded upon true convictions, lest they should, after a short time, repent of such an unadvised step. That at Lichtenau we desired none to reside, but such as were seeking our Saviour in truth and sincerity, and whose fixed determination it was to regulate their lives and conversation by His precepts, and to forsake all heathenish customs and abominations. I represented to them the rules and regulations necessary to be observed in a congregation of true believers, and added: "At that place you cannot, as hitherto, live as you like, and do whatever your corrupt nature suggests: and that would appear very irksome to you." They answered, "As soon as teachers come to us, we will be obedient and desist from all our bad customs." The first meeting I held in this pleasant vale on which the sun shone with great splendour all day, I commenced by singing that hymn, "The Sun of Righteousness arises, With healing in His beams," &c. We met as usual in the open field; and the greatest order and devotion prevailed during the discourse. On leaving my tent in the morning, I saw some old women, who had seated themselves before a tent waiting for me: they expressed their desire to hear more words of Jesus. One of them related, that her little son, eight years old, immediately after the discourse last night, lay down quietly. on his bed, and wept much. In the morning meeting to-day, I desired Shem to speak to the people; on which, having very seriously exhorted them to seek their Saviour with all their hearts, he gave them an account of his own conversion, in a manner truly affecting. He added: “Even me, a wretched sinner, Jesus did not despise, but sought me with unwearied pains; and, as He is so gracious that He is resolved to preserve me as his property, He does not leave off to grant me grace and favour. Just so He is disposed towards all of you, if but a desire is wrought in your souls to know Him, and be converted to Him," &c. Exploring Excursion. As the Greenlanders had informed me, that at the further end of the fiorde, or bay, at the mouth of which Narksamio is situated, there was much birch-wood, I went a considerable way up the fiorde, and landing with the Brethren, Benjamin and Shem, we walked several miles into the country, but found only low bushes, such as grow every where here abouts. We climbed up a high hill to get a view towards the eastern shore, but the heat was next to suffocating, and the myriads of musquitoes so tormenting, that we were not able to reach the summit. We, however, discovered a long grassy and beautiful valley, with a lake in it, the end of which we could not see, both appeared to us to extend to the eastern sea. We rowed the whole day along the coast, leaving Staatenhuk behind us, and the continent of Greenland on our left hand. The land was much more barren than on the western shore. We discovered many iceblinks, or pointed rocky mountains covered with ice and glaciers, one of which was of extraordinary magnitude, and reached from the top of a high mountain down to the sea. We went on shore and sought quarters for the night. To our great surprise we found some tents full of people. They received us kindly, and I had thus unexpectedly a little congregation of heathen before me, who, together with my company, formed a very decent auditory. I felt happy to be able to show forth the death of Jesus, and bear a testimony of His love to sinners on the eastern shore of Greenland. We first sung that hymn: "Jesus' arms of love are stretched," &c.--and then discoursed to them on the invitation to all, to hear and believe the word of salvation. On the 12th, we were detained by a gale of wind from the north-west. Large islands lie off the land towards the south, some between thirty and forty miles long. We were six hours rowing along the coast of one of them. From the high hills, numberless smaller islands are visible, stretching away to the southward, and this circumstance may probably be the cause of the immense quantity of ice about this coast, the strong current setting round Staatenhuk driving it to the eastern shores, and not allowing it to shift about with the winds and currents, as on the western. Departure for the North. Having now examined the country about Staatenhuk both by land and water, as much as opportunity afforded, we set out on our return; but first, kneeling down with our party, I commended the inhabitants of this eastern coast of Greenland in fervent prayer to Him, to whom it is particularly promised, That He shall have the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession, imploring Him that He would send out His light and His truth, and lead them also unto His holy hill. Having also prayed for protection on our present voyage, we entered upon it with cheerfulness. We met this afternoon a boat full of heathen Greenlanders, who were unknown to our party; but the sea running high, we could not approach each other near enough for conversation, and could only see their friendly gestures, and their faces fixed upon us as long as we remained in sight. We returned similar tokens of good will. All day long we were labouring against a contrary wind and tide, but without much difficulty, till we got round to the western side of Staatenhuk, when the strong north wind came full upon us. The boat belonging to the heathen not venturing to follow us, retreated to the shore; but as our boat was larger and could keep the sea better, I requested our people to proceed, wishing to reach Narksamio, and once more to visit its heathen inhabitants. Frederick's boat remained with us, but the sea grew more and more boisterous, the spray flying into the boat and putting our female rowers to great inconvenience. All our attempts to reach Narksamio proving fruitless, we were at length obliged to seek shelter in a small bay, from whence, on the 14th, I walked across the country in company of the three assistants and the sisters, to Narksamio, a distance of about four miles. All the inhabitants immediately left their tents to meet me, while those on the other sice of the creek did the same, wading through the water, so that I had soon a congregation of eager and attentive hearers, to whom I delivered a discourse on the words of Luke, chap. xxi. ver. 44, “ And, being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Having staid with them some days, conversing with them on the necessity of conversion, and on those things which belong to salvation: I met them once more to take leave, assuring them, that I should never forget them in my prayers: when I had finished, Benjamin addressed them at some length, and with a full heart, entreated them during the winter season, often to repeat to their minds and hearts, what they had again heard of the Word of God and the way of life. Their devout silence and close attention were very striking, and made this farewell meeting peculiarly solemn. We could plainly perceive that these good people had become quite attached to us. They said: "Your visit has been so pleasant! and now, alas, you are going to leave us." Their expressions of gratitude were indeed so heart-felt, that it seemed as if they felt the force of that text in Isaiah lii. 7" How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace: that bringethgood tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth." In the evening we retraced our steps over hills and dales back to our tents, several of the heathen accompanying us. I would here observe, that as I wished to lead these poor ignorant heathen immediately to the source from whence all salvation is derived, I was determined, through grace, to know nothing among them, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified; and I endeavoured, as much as I was able, to exhibit to them His love to sinners, His readiness to forgive, His power to change the heart; and that He desireth not the death of one sinner, but will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. I made it a rule to make them no presents with a view to entice them to come to me, lest it should seem as if I wanted to purchase their conversion; nor did any one of them come to beg tobacco, which is their usual custom. A few old women indeed came into our tent, and pointed to their noses, giving us to understand that they wanted a pinch of snuff, which I never refused. If any of them brought me a trifle as a curiosity, I paid them for it. Their common practice is to let their hair grow to a great length; but during our stay, several chose to imitate us and cut it short, to show that they were in earnest to be like the Christian Greenlanders. This was well done for cleanliness' sake. We found three instances of men having two wives, but on strict inquiry could not discover that there were any anjekoks or sorcerers among them. Close of the Journal. Having now, with the help of the assistants, spoken to all the heathen in every place on the coast where they were to be found, of the way of salvation, I believe that there are few, if any, who remain ignorant of it; and on leaving them for the present, it is my most fervent prayer, that the precious word of God may be a seed sown in many a heart prepared by His Spirit to receive it, and that it may spring up and bring forth much fruit to His glory. On the 15th, before sunrise, we set out, and as the gale from the north had cleared the sea of ice, we made swift progress, our female rowers putting forth all their strength. When we passed by the tents of those heathen, with whom I had spent the first night, they called to us, and begged that we would again land and stay over night with them, but as it was still light, and the weather had turned out so favourable, I was obliged to beg to be excused. After spending a sleepless night, we pursued our course early in the morning, and arrived in the evening of the 16th of July, in company of the boat full of heathen from Staatenhuk, safe at Lichtenau, praising the Lord for all the favour and protection He has granted us, during the whole of the voyage. He has caused the aim of it to be obtained beyond all my expectation, heard and answered my prayers, and comforted me with a heart-enlivening sense of His gracious presence, and soothed all those fears and anxieties, which more particularly beset my mind for the first seven days previous to our reaching the place of our destination near Staatenhuk, when I felt like a man seeking something which he does not know where to find. I am also thankful to my dear Greenland brethren and sisters, who took share in my joy and grief, and to those at home, who often thought of and prayed for me, not knowing how I might fare among the heathen in the south. Thanks, praise, and adoration therefore be brought to that merciful Saviour, who has thus mercifully led me, His poor servant, in the way in which I should go. Miscellany. PALESTINE MISSION. The following letter from the Rev. Messrs. Bird and Goodell, to the Rev. Dr. Romeyn and the Rev. Mr. Cox of this city, was unavoidably omitted in our last. The letter was written at Bairout, on the coast of Syria, on the 1st. of January last Since the truly Christian and very affecting reception given us at New-York, we have hardly had a communication from our friends in that city. On this account, we know quite too indistinctly, what our friends and patrons there expect of us, and what indeed are the real duties, arising from the new relation, which, it is said, we sustain to them. From time to time, we forwarded some little account of our circumstances, our studies, and labours, while we were at Malta. These, we shall take it for granted, have been received; and we shall now proceed to say something of the course, in which Providence has led us, since we took leave of our friends in that Island, and set our faces towards Jerusalem. It was on the 24th of October, that, after repeated mutual consultation and prayer, we embarked for Bairout, on the coast of Syria. We arrived in sight of Cyprus, on the 6th of November; touched at Larnica on the 9th; made the acquaintance of the English Consul; distributed a few tracts in the Italian, and Greek; and made such inquiries as we thought might be of use in directing Missionary exertions. We left Cyprus on the evening of the 14th, and the next morning, were animated with a view of the distant snowy heights of Lebanon. The sun rose sublimely over a well-formed peak directly behind our destined port. As we gazed on the brightening point of its ascension, and caught its first bursting rays, we thought of that vast region of darkness, on which it was then looking down, and felt how desirable, that the Sun of Righteousness should rise with equal splendour, on these benighted nations. We landed at Bairout on the 17th of November, with the hope of being able to proceed directly to Jerusalem, but we found it was too late in the season to attempt it with our families. The English Consul did every thing in his power, to render our situation comfortable, and through his assistance, we are now " in our own hired house, receiving all that come to us," making known, as well as we are able, the glad news of salvation, "no man forbidding us." Thus the Lord, in his great goodness, and in answer, we trust, to the prayers of his people, has brought us in safety to this land of oppression and superstition, and given us therein a more quiet resting place than we had ever expected. We have not, indeed, yet come to the land, which was promised to the seed of Abraham; but we have come to the land, which, we are assured, is promised to Christ for an everlasting possession. We have taken up our winter quarters at the foot of "that goodly mountain, even Lebanon;" within a few hours' ride of the hills and valleys, where the Patriarchs pitched their tents, and fed their flocks, and erected their altars to Jehovah; and within a day's journey of the very spot, where the prophet Jonah is said to have been" vomited upon the dry land." The house which we occupy, is situated in the country, and stands on a delightful elevation. From the terrace, we can count no less than 200 cottages without the walls of the city, scattered here and there in the fields of mulberry-trees. The whole population of Bairout, and the vicinity, amounts probably to about five thousand souls. And when we look down upon the abodes of these immortal beings, that are sunk in ignorance and sin, and then cast our eyes on the lofty heights of Lebanon, we cannot but exclaim, "How beautiful upon the mountains, would be the feet of them, that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things." But alas! of this country it must be said, "the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means, and the people love to have it so." Among the many who call themselves Christians, it is to be feared, that not an individual can be found, who feels the power of religion in his heart, or who has the least idea of exhibiting the excellence of it in his life. The people of this country are literally, "a mixed multitude;" and, as to religion, the Rev. Mr. Jowett, (who is now with us, waiting an opportunity for Malta) states, that, they are divided, and subdivided, into more than twenty different sects-all morAnd as to their tally "hating one another." character, as individuals or communities, some of the prominent traits may be found in the following passages of Holy Writ ; 66 Pro Every one, from the least even unto the greatest, is given to covetousness; from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely."-" Both prophet and priest are profane." "Every one speaketh lies and there is none valiant for the truth." faneness and lying appear to be characteristic of every man, woman, and child. Even those who are in the highest repute for sanctity, are yet so profane, as to shock the ears of common decency. And, it is so uncommon to find a man of truth that Mr. But we has received, in this region, the appellation of the man that speaks the truth. "There," say they, as he walks the streets of Bairout, "comes the truth teller." This land is truly dark; the smoke that ascended from the bottomless pit, has cast a horror of great darkness on all around. The beast, and the false prophet have united their baneful influence, in robbing this part of Creation of its chief glory. trust the time is near, when these enemies of the church shall be judged. "The Lamb shall overcome them." The true light shall shine. The superstitions of the Christian, and the abominations of the Turk, shall vanish. The old waste places shall be built again, and the desolations of many generations shall be repaired. "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and ali flesh shall see it together." We ask your prayers, Dear Sir, and the prayers of our Christian friends, that we may be such Missionaries as we ought to be; and that our example and our instructions may be agreeable to the oracles of Divine truth. With Christian salutations, we subscribe ourselves your Brethren in the bonds of Christian love, W. GOODELL. J. BIRD. Jan. 14.-Mr. Bird left us on the 2d inst. to go with Mr. King to Jerusalem. He goes for the purpose of examining places, and houses, with special reference to the residence of families, and to support Mr. Fisk at Jerusalem, while Mr. King visits Damascus. That the Almighty God would have you in his holy keeping, and bless your labours, and build up the churches, prays Yours, &c. W. GOODELL. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. During the month of July, 1824. D. C. From Mr. David Carpenter of Poughkepsie, to constitute the Rev. C. C. Cuyler, his friend and Pastor, a life member, From the Fredericksburg Female Society for educating Indian Youth, by Mr. William Kellogg, D. C. SO 00 16 00 Collected in the Ref. Dutch Church in Hope- Enclosed in an anonymous letter, dated at Red- From the Dorcas Soc. of New-Providence, From a Clergyman, From an Association of Children in the eighth Pres. Church in Philadelphia, by the Rev. Mr. Arbuckle, 12.00 Collected at the Monthly Concert in Athens, Bedford county, Penn. by the Rev. J. Wil son, From the Aux. Missionary Society of Hagerstown, Md. by John Kennedy, Esq. Tr. From the Ladies of Danville, Pa. the third payment for educating an Osage girl, at Harmony, named Jane R. Montgomery, by Miss Jane Montgomery, 12.00 5 00 From Miss Latham, of Brownsville, N. C. by Rev. G. L. Grabam, 50 12.00 12 00 2.00 9.00 From the Female Aux. Association in the 12.00 28 18 15.00 From a cent Soc. composed of Children belonging to Mrs. S.'s School in the same Congregation, by do. 3.00 From James V. H. Lawrence, Annual Subscription, 3 00 Collected at a weekly Evening Lecture in York, Pa. by the Rev. Lewis Mayer, From the Female Bible Class in the Pres. Ch. in Pearl-st. N. Y. second payment for Educating an Osage Youth named Wm. W. Philips, by Miss M. N. Bleeker, 10 50 12.00 From Miss Beekman of N. Y. first payment for educating an Indian Youth at Cataraugus, by the name of Thomas Scott, From a Missionary Box kept by Mrs. S. II. B. Smith of Northumberland, Pa. to aid in the redemption of Nicholas, a coloured man at Harmony, From Mr. Michael Schoonmaker, ann. sub. for two years, Avails of a Missionary Box in the Female 8 00 30 00 16 38 6. 00 12 00 12 00 From the Female Aux. Soc. of Bedford, West Chester Co. N. Y. semi-annual remittance, by the Rev. Jacob Greene, Remitted by the Rev. James C. Crane, General Agent, 32 00 672 00 Collected at the Monthly Concert in Flemington, N. J. by the Rev. John F. Clark, Donation from Mrs. E. Breese, of Sconondoa, Oneida county, N. Y. 42 81 579 -20 00 Donation from the Rev. Wm. Latta, by Alex. Henry, Esq. 5 00 Collected at the Monthly Concert in the Rev. 8 41 10 58 From the Aux. Miss. Society, of New Hackensack, Dutchess county, N. Y. by Mr. Philander Seward, Tr. Collected in the Presb. Congregation of Newton, N. J. first payment for educating an Indian child, at Cataraugus, to be named Joseph Linn Shafer, by Mrs. S. D. Morford, Collected at the Monthly Concert in do. by do. Collected at the Monthly Concert in the Presbyterian church in Wall-street, N. Y. by Mr. Peter Ludlow, 41 00 12.00 7 87 |