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“...ii.
INTRODUCTION.
Since the Annual Meeting however^ dis-
patches of importance have been received
from Capt. Wilson, and from Mr. Eyre,
one of the Missionaries at Otaheite. lrom
/ the former we give the following pleasing
Extracts, which throw new light upon the
state of the South Sea Mission, and call
for gratitude from all the friends of the
Institution.
EXTRACTS
From Capt. WILSOSTs LETTER*
TO JOSEPH HARDCASTLE, ESQ.
Dear Sir,
“ I EXPECTED when I should reach China, to have had an oppor-
tunity of forwarding letters to arrive in London much earlier than
myself, but was disappointed in this, as no ship sailed for Europe before
the fleet I accompany ; and but some Americans a few days previous to
our departure, bv whose circuitous rout I did not think it necessary to
write, except a few lines to Mr. Gillett, which I got on board the firfl of
them when under sail. If it is received, you will have heard of my arri-
val, and know generally that all is well. The Society, Sir, cannot be more...”
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“...joining
in concern for their safety and comfort, and evincing a determination to
support them, has had the desirable effect of establishing the Mission on
the best possible footing : so thar, whoever among the natives may rule as
Chief, none will dare to hurt the Brethren, except it happens in the
phrenzy of their encounters with each other : and not any of this nature
have yet occurred to excite alarm. I believe it is the intention of Gover-
nor King to send frequently, (perhaps once a year) to the islands : in
which case the Society will have an easy communication with the Breth-
ren ; who can also have necessaries from Port Jackson ; and for which, on
this prospect, I have made some arrangements, which, I hope, will meet
the Society’s approbation. Mr. Shelley, who was returning to England
by me, with the hope of renewing the Friendly Island Mission, on finding
that at Otahcite so promising, joined it; and will be an useful member to
them. While he resided at Port Jackson, he formed an attachment...”
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“...For
these purposes, an Address to Foreign Societies
and Ministers has been drawn up and extensively
circulated.
The Directors have judged these proceedings
to be both suitable and necessary, in consideration
of the designs and state of the Society; and the
impression of di vine efficiency has been humbly and
fervently solicited on these endeavours. May
prayer be heard;* may the Lord give the Word;
and may the number of Missionaries, to publish ij
to the Heathen, be great and sufficient!
The Mission to Otaheite has always been a
subject of great Interest. The Directors, after
waiting with anxious expectation for Intelligence
from that Island, received, about the beginning
of April, a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Jefferson in
the name of the Missionaries, dated 31 Dec. 1800:
and several private letters came to hand by the
same conveyance. An interval of twelve months
had occurred from the date of the preceding
Dispatches, during which time, it is stated, that
the Missionaries had been in great...”
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“...the hearts of our
dear Brethren, “ will be made glad thereof.”
The Missionaries, in reviewing their past and pre-
sent situation, conceive, that an experienced person,
at the head of a well organised body of Mission-
aries, might be of singular service in establishing
the Mission at Otaheite; and also other Missions
in the surrounding Islands. They think, that the
Correspondence which Governor King, at Port
Jackson, has commenced with Pomarree, is a
particular interference of Providence in their
favor; and they hope for its continuance and in-
crease, as it may prove the means of strengthening,
animating, and enlarging the Mission. The fore-
going circumstances form the substance of the
letters which the Directors have received, as far as
they regard the general business of the Mission ;
but one unhappy event they have to mention with
sorrow of heart, the fall, and separation from their
body, of Mr. Broomhall, who had been before
faithful and useful.
As our Brethren do not express great anxiety...”
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“...Il THE REPORT OF T1IE DIRECTORS
tory account of a Mission, which lies very near
the hearts of the Directors and of the Society;
hut which appears to be peculiarly dependent for
safety and success on the power, the goodness, and
the blessing of God.
The South African Mission, in connection with
the Missionary Society at the Cape of Good Hope,
presents Objects and Occurrences so various and
important, that a Memoir of no inconsiderable
length, and of great interest, might be formed
concerning them. It will therefore be necessary
for the Directors to compress this part of their
Report, and to present a brief sketch, instead
of a detailed account of these concerns and trans-
actions.
When the Directors made their Report to the
last General Meeting, their truly admirable
and excellent Brother, Dr. Vanderkemp, was in
Caffraria. Although his situation was lonely, and
his safety precarious, yet, with exemplary devoted-
ness and zeal, he tarried there and laboured
for several months, endeavouring...”
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“...have already
attempted, or may hereafter endeavour to ob-
struct his work, and to persecute his servants.
It is necessary to remark, that this proposed Settle-
ment is not meant to supersede the Mission to Caf-
fraria. Dr. Vanderkemp (accompanied by Brother
Read) has again been in that country, to wait on
King T Geika, at his particular desire, and to che-
rish that good understanding which subsists be-
tween his subjects and the Missionaries. But at the
date of their last letter from Graaf Reinet, they
were so constantly employed among the Hotten-
tots and English soldiers, that they could not
possibly leave that place; and it will only be when a
supply of Missionaries is sent to them, and intro-
duced into effective labor, that Dr. Vanderkemp
and Brother Read can, or mean to resume their
Mission in Caffraria.
In the Report of last year it was stated, that the
Brethren Kicherer and Cramer were about to take
a long journey toward the Great River; agreably
to an impressive and often repeated...”
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“...TO THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 17
invited them thither, and have also commenced
that good work for the prosecution of which they
undertook this important Mission. In the course
of their journey, it appears by a letter from Mr.
Kicherer, they tarried some time at Zach River,
and preached to the Heathen there, with much,
acceptance and success. “ The hunger and thirst
“ of the Heathen for the Word of Life (says Mr.
“ Kicherer) is very strong; the conflux of peo-
“ pie is as considerable as can be wished ; and the
“ blessing resting upon our testimony is beyond
“ expectation.” These gracious events were well
calculated to induce our Brethren to “thank God
and to take courage.”
The Missionary Air. Tromp has succeeded Air.
Vanderlingen at the Wagen-inaker's Valley. He
labors with diligence among the Heathen in that
district; and his conduct has been so worthy
and exemplary, that the South African Society
have taken the pecuniary charge of his support
entirely on themselves.
The three Brethren Messrs...”
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“...steadfastness in the per-
formance of every duty connected with his sta-
tion, and with his relation to this Society : And
the Directors hope that his acknowledged zeal,
ability, and disinterestedness, will, under a divine
influence, be made productive of much good in
the city and vicinity of Quebec.
The Report of the Directors to the last Annual
Aleeting, as it regarded Air. Alitchell, was rather
of an unpropitious nature. His voyage to
Montreal, with a view to exercise his Minis-
try and his Mission in that city, terminated
in discouragement and disappointment; but suc-
ceeding events have proved pleasing and fa-
vorable. Mr. Alitchell having received an invi-
tation from some serious persons at New Carlisle,
in the Bay of Chalcur, has accepted it, and has
entered on Ministerial Services, which promise to
afford much advantage and usefulness. His Con-
gregation increases; many French Catholics and
native Indians occasionally hear him, and with
the latter, he holds frequent and encouraging...”
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“...third year; at the expiration of which, as he
wishes for an interview with his friends and rela-
tives, he intends to return to this country: Yet
he intimates “ that he shall not be against serving
“ the Society again, for as long a time, and in
“ such a capacity, as the Directors may think it
“ proper to employ him.” The Directors have
designed, and have been authorised to send ano-
ther Missionary, to preach the Gospel, at Togo,
Bonavista, in Newfoundland; but a qualified
person, for this mission, has not yet been ob-
tained....”
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“...Mr. Hassel's character and conduct. It
appears that he statedly preaches at several places
in the vicinity of Port Jackson, and that he exerts
himself very commendably in providing means of
instruction for many Children in the Colony. Mr.
II. considers himself still to be under the patron-
age of this Society, and expresses a readiness to
engage in any Mission, in which his services may
be required ; but the Directors conceive, that his
labors at Port Jackson-are highly useful and expe-
dient; and that in the event of increasing inter-
course between that Colony and Otaheite, his
agency may be of considerable service on behalf of
the Mission at that Island.
The Directors are fully aware of the Resolutions
which have been passed, at preceding General
Meetings of this Society, authorising them to pre-
pare and send out Missions to various places, both
in the Eastern and Western parts of the globe.
They are alive to the usefulness and importance
D of...”
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“...“the way of God more perfectlyand also
receive such other appropriate instructions as may
fit him for the singularly interesting and impor-
tant work of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ
to the natural, though unbelieving, descendants of
the Patriarch Abraham. As to the other Mission-
aries in the Seminary, it having been determined
that they should respectively remain two years
therein (unless under circumstances, or intended
for services that might not require so long a
course of preparative instruction) the Directors
have not yet been able to avail themselves of any
assistance to reinforce or to commence Missions,
from that quarter. And had it not been for the
seasonable and zealous co-operation of Mission-
aries from Berlin and Rotterdam, the interests of
the Society in Africa would have languished and
suffered very considerably. These intimations,
the Directors are persuaded, will at once explain
and excuse, that delay of operation, which in
other circumstances, would not have succeeded...”
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“...those hopes to
which humanity gave existence.
Those plans of v hichthe object is the eternal wel-
fare of mankind, are as liable to obstruction as those
which are designed to promote their temporal hap-
piness. This remark is confirmed by the persecution
and martyrdom of inspired Prophets, of holy Apos-
tles, and the long successive train of venerable Con-
fessors whose names adorn the page of history.
The magnanimous Apostle of the Gentiles pos-
sessed a mind too elevated to imagine, that his
mission was to be questioned, either on account
of the oppositions by which he was 'assailed, or
the partial want of success of which he had to
complain. In preaching the things pertaining
to the kingdom of Heaven, instead of grateful
returns from the world, or any thing like an unin-
terrupted miraculous preservation, he had “stripes
“ above measure, was in prisons frequent, in
“ deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received he
“ forty stripes, save one. Thrice was he beaten
with rods, once was he stoned...”
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“...full
proportion in which it succeeds, the wise, and the
good, will pronounce it glorious. I may not live
to see all the fruit of these labours which I have
fondly anticipated, yet, even in that case, 1 think
more satisfaction will he enjoyed upon a dying
bed, from the reflection of having encouraged
an attempt toward the enlargement of the king-
dom of Christ, than can be derived from the re-
membrance of having shewn it no countenance.
At our first meeting, the principal objections
against a mission to the Heathen” were dispassi-
onately stated,* and received a reply; — a reply
fraught with the strength of sound argument, the
affectionate warmth of Christian zeal, and what-
ever is calculated to convince, impress and per-
suade. Impartial inquirers were convinced, hut in-
veterate prejudice will receive no conviction. The
prepossessions which before existed, have, doubt-,
less, been strengthened by our partial disappoint-
ments. The Islands of the South Seas are not
found so free from evils...”
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“...Ministers where and to wdiom he pleases, that the
designs of his glorious grace may be accomplished
agreeably to His holy will. Paul and his Brethren
“ were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the
“ word in Asia,” though at the same time they were
divinely assured by a vision, “ that the Lord had
called them to preach the Gospel in Macedonia.”
This is, I apprehend, neither the time nor place,
for any thing like minute inquiry respecting the
particular countries which would afford to a Gos-
pel Mission the greatest probability of success. I
presume, however, that I shall not be thought to
step far out of mv w ay, if 1 remark, that conti-
nental parts of the world, united with a state of
civilization and commerce, appear more friendly
to Missionary undertakings than places destitute
of these advantages. Whatever success may attend...”
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“...63 THE GLORY of MESSIAH.
Acts ii. 5, 21.) What signs and mighty won-
ders attended the Saviour from his birth to
his ascension on high, as our Advocate! He was
revealed as “ an ensign to the people” in his
own work and preaching : and so in the com-
mission of his Apostles, to “ go into all the world
“ and preach the Gospel to every creature.” It
was expressly commanded that “ repentance and
“ remission of sins should be preached in his name
“ among all nations,” to this important end, that
sinners might flee unto him as their refuge, and
find his rest glorious. (Mark xvi. 15. Luke
xxiv. 27. Isaiah xl. 10.)
(2.) By whom they are sent. “ I will send
“ those that escape of them,” that is, the Jewish
converts, and such were the Apostles, called by
Grace and enriched by the Spirit of God with all
his holy graces. These shall go forth to proclaim
the glorious Gospel of the Blessed God. Having
obtained mercy themselves, they shall tell of it to
others.
(3.) Whither they are sent. “ To Tarshish...”
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“...gospel of the kingdom !
“ How rich the delicacies, and exquisite,” says
Lowth. (Isaiah xxv. 6'.) The gospel is our cor-
nucopia?, in revealing all the mercies and pro-
mises of the covenant of grace: shewing God
“ rich in mercy, and plenteous in redemption
and that all the supplies we have are from the
fulness of the Son of God. The gospel is the
Proclamation of Peace. Ministers are sent as am-
bassadors (n. Cor. v. 18, 19.) to rebel sinners, to
preach the harmony of God’s perfections in the re-
mission of sins through the Saviour's life and death.
What inexhaustible mines of spiritual wealth do
we open to our people ! Alines far beyond Mexico
or Peru in value. The treasures of God's love,
and the riches of his grace arc boundless as
our sins. How did the year of Jubilee exhibit a
representation of the everlasting gospel, which
displays the grand and blessed liberty which be-
lievers find in Jesus their Lord. He says, (Luke
iv. 18.) that he came “ to preach deliverance to
“ the captives.” Then...”
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“...of this day, is one of the most inte-
resting, in which 1 have ever been engaged, dur-
ing the whole period of my ministry.
When I look round, and behold this numerous
congregation, and connect with it in idea, the
grand object proposed from the- assembly ; when I
call to mind the promises of God, concerning the
extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom in the
latter ages; and stand convinced from all cor-
responding circumstances, that the period is
hastening fast upon us: while the gracious com-
mission...”
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“...118 THE WORD OF THE HOLY GHOST
mission of our departing Lord, given to his disci-
ples in the very moment of his return to glory,
still vibrates in the ear; and while I see here an as-
sembly of the faithful, gathered from every part of
the kingdom, as if moved by one and the same prin-
ciple, for this very purpose, to follow up their Lord's
command, and to send forth his everlasting gospel,
from pole to pole, and “from the river even to the
“ endsof the earthI feel animated in the delight-
ful prospect : I begin to anticipate the dawn of
that happy day, “ whose sun shall no more go
“down:” and behold already in idea, “Ethiopia
“ and Seba, with the multitude of the isles, as
“ stretching forth their hands unto God.”
And although, in the recollection of the office
assigned me upon this occasion, personally consi-
dered, no doubt, there are circumstances enough,
sufficiently discouraging, to damp the ardor of
my mind; yet however conscious of my own
incompetency, to advance any thing new...”
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“...how
“ shall they preach except they be sent?”
In the prosecution of this part of my subject, it
will be necessary, for the better apprehension of it,
to observe, that what the apostle so strongly re-
commends, byway of question, is among the most
important points of the gospel. For when he de-
mands, “ How can they hear without a preacher?
“ And how can they preach except they be sent?”
he only adopts a bolder figure of speech, to insist
upon the necessity of it. It is as much as to say,
every mission of the gospel, in order to ensure
success, must be divinely appointed. And, in my
poor apprehension, it is, I confess, an object of the
first magnitude in the scheme of faith, and never
to be lost sight of, that, unless God the Spirit, to
whose province, in the dispensation of grace, this
peculiarly belongs—unless He sends forth the
preacher and blesses the hearer, (to use the ner-
vous language of the prophet,) “ the one sows to
“the wind, and the other to the whirlwind.”
To...”
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