too short. I could with pleasure, have sat all night under such preaching. I have heard but three gospel sermons in two years. As she lived at a considerable distance, she entreated me to go and preach where she lived. I would give, continued she, one half of my earnings with pleasure, to sit under the sound of the gospel. I asked, are you sincere? I am, with all my heart, she replied. In what better way could I use it? I can only procure a little food and raiment for my poor body, while my soul is famishing for the bread of life. O! I then thought of the language of the apostle, "Unto you who be lieve, he is precious." And I thought it must afford some consolation to the pious females in Boston, who have been instrumental in sending the precious gospel to such destitute places, and to such thirsty souls." PENNSYLVANIA. Rev. Benjamin Oviatt has been occupied three months in preaching under the patronage of this Board. Most of this period was employed in destitute parts of Pennsylvania. In several destitute vilJages, his ministry was well attend ed, and there is reason to believe that it was accompanied with the blessing of God. At Brokenstraw, where there is a small Baptist church, he says, there was a striking instance of the happy effects of prayer. When the church was in such a low situation, as not even to assemble together; two sisters met in the woods for prayer. This they did on four successive sabbaths. The next sabbath another sister joined them. After this, they met in a house, and some of their neighbours attended. Perceiving that they were engaged in prayer for their husbands, children, and friends, they were filled with solemnity. The Lord heard the prayers of these pious females. He poured out his Spirit, and caused their hearts to rejoice. Backsliders returned from their wanderings, sinners were led to cry out for mercy, and many were brought to a saving knowledge of the truth. A small church is now rejoicing in the Lord. In Venango county Mr. Oviatt spent eight days. Some of his hearers had travelled ten miles to enjoy the preaching of the gospel. In Franklin village he met with two persons, who had been debarred by their lonely situation from church privileges for twenty years. They begged to be remembered to this Board, and that some missionaries might be sent out to them, that again they might hear the glad news of salvation by Jesus Christ. Rev. Jesse Hartwell has finished a tour of three months, under the direction of this Society. His labours were divided between the States of New-York and Pennsylvania. He has not furnished us with a minute journal of his services and travels, but his account has been highly gratifying to the Board. He states some facts, which we think, deserve a place in this Report, as they shew the progress of religion in a portion of country, which has been for years past, supplied with missionaries from this Society. He writes, "about four years ago there was no Association on the southern shores of lake Erie, beyond the Holland Purchase conference. At that time I witnessed the formation of the Grand River Association in Ohio, composed of seven or eight churches: it is now composed of about thirty churches. There are now four Associations along the shores of lake Erie, where about four years ago, there were not so many churches to be found on that extensive coast. But yet they very much lack suitable preachers of the gospel. No man duly impressed with their situation, can refrain from praying, O Lord, send forth labourers into this harvest. In his letter to the Board, Mr. Hartwell has informed us, that he is executor to the will of the late Mr. Elijah Tobey, of Ashfield, Franklin county, Mass. This pious brother, after having made suitable provision for his widow, and left some small legacies to other relatives, has bequeathed the remainder of his property to the Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, which it is supposed, will amount to seven hundred, or one thousand dollars. OHIO. Our esteemed brother, Oliver Alford, has again been blessed in fulfilling an appointment for this Board, in the State of Ohio. He observes, "Since I commenced my labours, I have baptized. 13 persons, on a profession of their faith. I have constituted one church, consisting of 17 members; since which, I three others have been added. have also assisted in the organization of two Female Mite Societies. It has melted my heart to see the sisters so much engaged in assisting the poor Indian children. One female observed, I will do all I can while I live, and if I should not live, do send them all my clothes. The increase of our churches in this re gion is so great, that three new As- STATES BORDERING ON THE MISSI- cherish the pleasing anticipation, Six months have been added to the former appointment of Rev. J. M. Peck. In the States bordering on the Missisippi river, he has a wide and extensive harvest in which to labour. As his letters to the Board have already been published in our Magazine, it is not necessary to incorporate them in this Report. We feel persuaded that our brother possesses a true missionary spirit; that in labours for the good of souls, he will be abundant, and we HAYTI. At a meeting of the Trustees on the fifth of March last, a communication was received from Rev. Thomas Paul, expressive of the deep interest which for a long time he had felt, in relation to the moral and religious condition of the Haytians, and soliciting the favour that he might be sent there as a missionary. After due deliberation, the Board gave him a missionary appointment for six months. As the constitution of Hayti guarantees a free toleration to Christians of all denominations, and as President Boyer has avowed his determination to pursue a liberal policy in relation to the rights of different religious sects, we hope that a wide and effectual door will be opened for the introduction of Protestant Christianity in Hayti. Should Mr. Paul meet with a favourable reception, and a prospect of usefulness should present itself for other labourers, it is confidently expected, that this, or some other of our Societies, will be prepared to support as many missionaries as shall appear suitably qualifi• ed for this service. The Board are duly impressed with the kindness of several 16spectable merchants in this city and New-York, in furnishing their missionary with letters of introduction to the most distinguished persons in Hayti. They are very grateful to the managers of the American Bible Society, for the donation of 100 Bibles, and 100 Testaments, in the French and Spanish languages,committed to the care of Mr. Pau!, for sale, or gratuitous distribution among the inhabitants of the island, and also an elegant Bible, which is to be presented to the President. As we are willing to believe, that something important will eventual. ly arise out of this mission, and as we are desirous that our views and motives on this subject should be distinctly understood, we think it proper to introduce in our Report, the commission and instructions which have been given to Mr. Paul. Boston, April 13, 1823. TO THE REV. THOMAS PAUL, OF BOS- Dear Sir, At a meeting of the Trustees of the "Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, on the fifth of March last, you were appointed their missionary for six months, to preach the gospel in the island of Hayti. And you are hereby authorized to depart as soon as possible for that place. You are well aware, that our Society was not established, and in no instance has been employed in promoting secular or political objects. It is, therefore, expected that you will not interfere with the civil or political institutions of the country. Your object in visiting Hayti, is purely religious. We wish you to make known to such of the inhabitants as are disposed to hear you, the way of salvation by Jesus Christ. Our prayers will be answered, and our most enlarged desires realized, if you should be instrumental in teaching men to deny themselves of all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present evil world. We feel a sincere and deep interest in the welfare of the Haytiens. We rejoice that they are a free nation, and hope, for the honour of human nature, they will never be other. wise. We send you to them, with the fond anticipation, that many by your ministry, will be made free from sin, and have their fruit unto righteousness, the end of which will be everlasting life. From our knowledge of the constitution and laws of Hayti; and the Liberal views of its President, we are persuaded you will meet with no legal obstructions in the discreet and pious discharge of your duty. You will not only be tolerated, but protected from harm. Wishing that grace, mercy, and peace, may be multiplied to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, I subscribe myself, in behalf of the Trustees, respectfully yours, DANTEL SHARP, Secretary. Rev. Thomas Paul. TO THE REV. THOMAS PAUL, BOSTON, Dear Brother, Having received your commission from the Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, to preach the gospel in the island of Hayti, you will with all convenient speed, proceed thither, and commence your labours. It is, however, proper that you be furnished with such instructions as bring clearly to view the wishes of the Board, in making this appointment. To do this, is the object of the present communication. Upon arriving at Port-au-Prince, you will make known to his excellency, the President, the object of your mission, and solicit his permission to commence your labours. This permission, from the liberal and enlightened policy of his excellency's administration, we are persuaded, will not be withheld. You will take this opportunity of assuring him of the deep interest which the Board feel in the moral and religious welfare of his fellowcitizens, and of the joy with which we behold the republic of Hayti so rapidly rising to take her place among the freest and most enlightened nations of the earth. The land of Touisant L'Ouverture will never be forgotten by Americans. Never will they cease to rejoice that his countrymen are enjoying the blessings for which he fought and conquered. The permission of his excellency being obtained, you will proceed in the object of your mission. And here let us remind you, that your duties are two-fold; 1st, as a minis. ter of Christ; and 2d, as a religious agent for this Society. 1st. You go to Hayti as a minister of Christ. Your duties in this character, are defined in the commission of our Lord to his disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; he that believeth not, shall be damned." Or, to express the same in the words of St. Paul, "Now then are we ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." Your duties then, will be the same in Hayti, as they have been in the country you are about to leave, viz."to beseech men to be reconciled to God." And in doing this, you are to make use of those means, and those means only, which the Bible has put into your hands. You are to present the simple doctrines of the gospel before your hearers, and thus by manifestation of the truth, you will commend your self to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And we wish you to do this, for this single reason, viz. We believe that unless men make the precepts of the Bible the rules of their life, and its promises the foundation of their hopes, they can be happy, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come. It shall be our prayer that you may be the instrument in the hand of God, of preparing multitudes of your brethren for that inheritance which is uncorrupted, undefiled, and which fadeth not away. In preaching the gospel, you will be careful to avoid all unnecessary collision with men who profess the doctrines of any other Christian denomination. Your duty is, to preach Christ crucified. Should the truths of the Bible be spoken against, still preach them; in no`manner however "returning railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if peradventure, God will give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth." And whilst you are thus, by a plain, affectionate exhibition of truth, endeavouring to expel error, strive to prove the superior excellence of your faith, by the holiness of your life, and the blamelessness of your conversation. From these remarks, it is at once evident, that you can have nothing to do with political divisions, or with party animosity. Whilst you conscientiously obey the laws of the republic, we doubt not that you will receive their protection. With its civil institutions, in no other respect will you have any concern. Always bearing in mind, that you are a messenger from Him, who said, my kingdom is not of this world." 66 2d. You are sent as the religious agent of the Board. In this capacity it is expected that you will collect all the information in your power, concerning the moral and intellectual state of the people. This will be readily furnished you by gentlemen of intelligence, and gleaned by your own personal observation. In visiting different towns on the sea board, and vari ous districts in the interior, your attention will naturally be directed to such inquiries as the following: What portion of the inhabitants are professors of religion? To what denominations of professing Christians do they belong? What is the general disposition of the people towards protestant Christianity? Is there any probability that a missionary station might, with fair pros pects of usefulness, be established in Hayti? On these subjects, as well as the general state of morals, religion, &c. we shall expect you months. weeks. 3 3 3 to inform yourself, as well as cir. The following missionaries have also cumstances will allow. received appointments from this Board. You will also pay particular observation to the subject of education. Rev. Cyrus Andrews, Ascertain as far as possible, what Adoniram Judson, Isaac Benjamin, portion of the inhabitants are able Benjamin C. Grafton, 2 to read; and what languages they William Hlubbard, are taught ? What systems of edu. George Robinson, cation are most in use, and what James Parsons, 3 provisions have been made for in. Asa Averill, Nathaniel Tibbets, 3 structing youth in the higher branches of Science ? In short, any infor. AMERICAN BAPTIST MAGAZINE. mation which may teach us how to be useful to the moral or religious As the American Baptist Magainterests of Hayti; we will be zine is published under the directhankful to receive, and for no otte tion of this Board, it may be proper er do we wish you to seek. to inform the Society, that it still has These brief hints will give you an extensive circulation, although some definite idea of our views in the number issuing from the press the present mission. It is our earn is not as great as in former years, est prayer that you may be abund. It appears, nevertheless, to us, that antly prospered in this new field of if suitable exertions were made, twice the number of what is now labour, and that you may be the instrument of turning many unto published, might find their way in to the hands of members of our own righteousness. With sincere esteem, I am, in be- denomination, without the least in. half of the Correspondinge Sec’ry, periodical work. We have pleased terference with any other religious ourselves with the idea, that the F. WAYLAND, jr. Sec’ry, pro. tem. biographies it contains, would excite ONEIDA INDIANS. feelings of holy emulation in the breasts of good men,-that its origThe Board have also to state, inal communications would have a that Rev. Alfred Bennett, of Homer, N.Y. came here as an agent for good practical influence, and that -, the Hamilton Baptist Missionary it conveys, would fan the fame of the missionary intelligence which Society. He was authorized by the Christian charity,—nor can we reaforesaid Society, to solicit donations and subscriptions in behalf of linquish the persuasion, that, were it generally read by our brethren the Oneida Indians. Public collec and friends, it would become a pow. tions at that time were deemed in. erful auxiliary in support of all expedient. But as we are satisfied those objects, for which alone we that any monies forwarded for this ought to live. It will be gratifyobject, would be discreetly and ought to live. ing to the Society, to be informed, faithfully managed; and as the es that 500 dollars are now ready to tablishment of the school for the Indians appeared important, the from the Magazine during the past be paid into the treasury, as profits Board voted that $200 be present . ed to the Hamilton Baptist Mission. year. ary Society, to be appropriated for In behalf of the Trustecs, the benefit of the Oneida Indians. DANIEL SHARP, Secry. yours, &c. |
