FOREIGN MISSIONARY CHRONICLE.

VOL. II....No. 5. PITTSBURGH, AUGUST, 1834.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

REQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS OF MISSIONARIES.

NO. II.

WHOLE NO. 17.

depraved and licentious. If they are admired and honored on account of superior intelligence, they Missionaries should possess unfeigned love to are in danger of undue self-estimation; and if they men; to the children of God; to their companions are violently persecuted, they are in danger of in labor and tribulation. This is delightful. "Be-yielding to the impulse of passion, instead of exhold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to ercising the meekness and long-suffering required dwell together in unity!" It is essential to the by their holy religion. They are also in danger communion of saints and their cordial co-operation of being unduly elated with the well-meant, but in the work of the Lord. It should extend to "all frequently injudicious and superabundant praise who call upon the name of the Lord."-Men in bestowed upon them by writers in the newspapers general, Jews, Mahometans, Pagans, Romanists, or magazines of their own natal country. We and even infidels and sceptics, are proper objects may add, that they must be denied to things law. of Christian benevolence. Missionaries, with bow-ful, but inexpedient, as laying stumbling blocks els of compassion, ought to seek the salvation of before others; and be willing to forsake all their sinners of every description. Jeremiah, in mourn-earthly comforts and lay down their lives, rather ful strains, laments the sins and miseries of the than deny their Lord and Master. "If any man daughter of his people. Our Savior beheld Jerusa- come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, lem, persisting in unbelief and hastening to de- and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, struction, and wept over it. Paul tells the Philip-yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disci. pians, even weeping, of "many who walked as the ple.-Whosoever there be of you that forsaketh not enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end was de-all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." The struction." And "rivers of water ran down from self-denial of Paul, the chief missionary among the the eyes" of David, "because men kept not the law Gentiles in the apostolic age, deserves the particuof God." And can devoted missionaries-canlar notice of missionaries in modern times. "I faithful ministers-can zealous christians-shut up their tender mercy, and leave the greater part of the human race to go down to endless woe, without the most strenuous efforts to recover them from their awful state of sin and death? Surely, those who feel the worth of souls must labor with holy anxiety for the conversion of sinners, and wrestle with God in prayer for the manifestation of his power and grace in their salvation.

money and its ruinous consequences, he says, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness," &c. "Flee youthful lusts." "Keep thyself pure."

will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest, while I preach to others, I myself should be a cast-away.' "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." "Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others." And he exhorts Timothy to exercise Missionaries should be willing to exercise self-similar self-denial. After speaking of the love of denial in reference to every sinful disposition and every forbidden indulgence. The Lord addresses himself to all in this great command; "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself." Missionaries and all christians must be denied to their Missionaries should possess christian wisdom own wisdom, as foolishness; their own righteous- and discretion. Christ said to his apostles, "Be ness, as filthy rags; their own wills, as perversely ye wise as serpents." This is not the wisdom of inclined to evil; their own moral strength, as spi-this world, which is foolishness with God. It is ritual impotence; to the world, in its honors, wealth not the subtility of those who "lie in wait to deand pleasures, as "vanity and vexation of spirit," ceive." It is not the boasted intelligence of those and as tending to draw away their hearts from who are "wise in their own eyes, and prudent in God. There is great necessity for self-denial in their own sight;" who, in imagination, possess all missionaries among the heathen. They are ex- the understanding that exists among men, and beposed to many dangerous temptations, being in a lieve that "wisdom will die with them." But it is great measure separated from the society of the that wisdom which is "from above," and guides pious, and surrounded with a population extremely their feet into the ways of righteousness and peace;

.

of the Gospel. And it should lead them, with
profound humbleness of soul, to "give unto the
Lord the glory which is due nnto his name."-
"Only by pride cometh contention;" and if this
spirit should ever enter into the members of a mis-
sion family, it would mar their peace, grieve the
Holy Spirit of God, and prevent their harmonious
co-operation and their success in the great work to
which they are called. In a missionary band, de-
voted to a service immensely important, there
should be no "Diotrephes who loves to have the
pre-eminence;" and if some are superior in gifts,
they should ponder the weighty import of the
apostolic questions, "Who maketh thee to differ
from another? And what hast thou which thou
didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it,
why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received
it?"-All should be unassuming, condescending to
those of low estate, disposed to give the preference
to others, but willing to exert themselves to the
utmost in union with their brethren to accomplish
the great object of their mission-the conversion
of the world to God. All missionary laborers, as
well as all christian professors, should yield a
cheerful and continual obedience to the injunction
of an inspired apostle, "Let nothing be done through
strife or vain glory; but, in lowliness of mind, let
each esteem other better than themselves."

which enables them to discern and avoid the snares of enemies, who wish to destroy their lives, wrest their words, or misrepresent their conduct, so as to involve them in difficulties, or bring into disrepute the good cause in which they have embarked.Some ministers of good talents, education, and hopeful piety, are not useful in the work of the Lord, but injure themselves and the interests of religion, because their steps are not directed, as they ought ever to be, by that discretion which preserves, and that understanding which keeps from evil. They should be meck and long-suffering under provocations, reproaches and persecutions; and disposed to render good for evil. "Be ye harmless as doves." They ought ever to copy the example of the meek and lowly Jesus, who, "when he was reviled, reviled not again; and when he suffered, threatened not," &c., and, on the cross, prayed fervently for his cruel murderers; "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." The apostle Paul resembled his Master in this beautiful trait of character; "Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat." "I take pleasure in reproaches, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake." It is true, that the fires of persecution do not now rage as violently as in' ancient times, but surely, the offence of the cross has not ceased. Some missionaries in our own times have died as martyrs of the Lord Jesus under the hands of persecutors, and others have endured the opposition and revilings of the wicked. There is still room for the exercise of patience, and meekness, and a forgiving spirit. "The ser-ning to command the attention of the Presbyterian vant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves," &c.

Missionaries ought to be clothed with humility. Their Lord was lowly in heart; and, in his ministry, he pronounced a blessing on "the poor in spirit"-declared repeatedly, that "he that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted:" and he checked the rising 'ambition of his disciples; "Whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister; and whosoever of you will be the chief, shall be servant of all." If Christ, who was "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners," was humble, how much reason have his servants, who are conscious of $ many sinful defects, to lie in the dust and say, "Behold I am vile!" Paul was the great apostle of the Gentiles, and distinguished among his brethren, by his talents, zeal, abundant labors, and the success of his ministrations; yet he arrogates nothing to himself; but styles himself "the chief of sinners, less than the least of all saints;" declaring, that "by the grace of God he was what he was;" ascribing the success of his labors, not to his own superior wisdom or eloquence, but to the mighty power of God, who blessed the good seed of the word and gave a glorious increase. This lovely example of humility in so eminent a servant of the Lord should put to silence the boasting of those, who, by redundant egotisms, sound their own praise, and speak of the fruits of their labors, as if they were to be ascribed to their own extraordinary skill and exertions, rather than to the influence of the Spirit of grace, giving efficacy to the truth

MINIMUS.

MINISTERIAL INEFFICIENCY.

I am pleased to find that this subject is begin

Church. Viewed in all its bearings, it is unquestionably one of vast importance. If the evil exists, no time ought to be lost in applying a corrective.-The field of ministerial labor is the world. The command given to the apostles was, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." The population of the globe is immense and increasing. The number of evangelical ministers, authorized to labor in this field is very small in comparison to the multitudes who are destitute of the knowledge of "the true God and Jesus Christ, whom he has sent" to save sinners. Of those, who reside in countries nominally Christian, many are observant of the superstitious devices, the doctrines and commandments of men; but have little knowledge of the Gospel, and are strangers to the power of true religion. Many others have their affections set supremely upon the things of the world; and its honors, emoluments, and pleasures, engross their thoughts, their time, and the powers which God has given them to be employed to his glory.-To all these classes the Gospel ought to be faithfully preached; and every exertion used to save their souls from eternal death. In view of these things, how can ministers, who arc possessed of physical strength, be so mindful of earthly things, as to forget, or neglect, the high duties of their vocation; insensible of their solemn responsibility, and the infinite worth of the souls of men? If all who hold the sacred office were to be active to the utmost extent of their powers, they would be utterly insufficient to supply the spiritual wants of the world. How, then, can any slumber over their work?

OMEGA.

WESTERN FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

EXTRACTS FROM THE SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

(Concluded from page 244.)

some mind of sin-beclouded man, the true light of his perfections and his salvation, are emotions yet to be felt in their clearness and power! The solemn realities of The Report states, that the total receipts of the eternity-the worth of a Savior's blood— last year have been $16,296 46; and the disburse the temporal blessings which his gospel ments, including a large advance on the Missions gives, and the glorious immortality which to Northern India, $15,369 44; leaving in the trea- it alone reveals, are too little considered by Bury, including the balance at the commencement professing christians of these times, when of the year, the sum of $4,963 52. Notice is taken crowds are treading the paths of wealth, of the progress made in the establishment of Boards and pleasure and ambition, to produce, by of Agency and Correspondence, to aid the Society; the force of contrast, a becoming commisethe labors of missionaries; of Messrs. Pinney, ration for nations held in barbaric degraLaird, and Cloud, before their embarkation; of dation, and immortal souls shut out from Messrs. Fairchild and Smith; and of Messrs. Hu- the light of revelation. They read, indeed, ber and Wilson; the commendable zeal and activi

ty of several Presbyteries, Churches, and Mission

ary Associations in the grand enterprise of foreign

missions; aud the friendly co-operation of some congregations of the Reformed Presbyterian and the Associate Reformed Churches. After men

tioning the For. Miss. Chronicle, as the means of communicating missionary intelligence; and commending the resolution and plan of the students of Jefferson and Danville Colleges, of providing and distributing copies of a missionary tract annually among all the families in extensive districts, the Report concludes in the following words:

of their Master's tears over a world lying in wickedness-his earnest injunctions to of prophets, apostles, and saints, freely spilt "disciple" "every creature"-of the blood

in this noble cause; but in vain, do these considerations appeal to their tenderness and compassion, as the reputed partakers of the same spirit. When they survey the extent of "the land yet to be possessed," and the formidable obstructions in the way ist, their "faith staggers at the promises;" of its acquisition, which every where exand if they pray for an issue to them so improbable, it is with a cold and unbelieving heart; and if they yield their contributions, it is with a reluctant hand.

Such, IN CONCLUSION, is the statement of the operations of the society during the past year, which the committee would sub- How otherwise shall we account for that. mit; and if the results which it discloses at- indifference to the acquisition of missionary test the increase of the foreign missionary intelligence-that languid inattention to the spirit among us, they furnish the occasions monthly concert, and that reluctance to aid of regret that it is so feeble in its manifes- in this hallowed cause, which here and tations, and so limited in its influence. They there still exist; exist, however, the comteach us that if there is, ere long, to per-mittee are happy to say, with scarcely an vade the entire household of faith, a com- effort at palliation, and with less and less mon feeling of determination, by the grace prominence every revolving year. In of God, to fulfil at once, the command of works of public usefulness and christian Christ-to make a sincere and strenuous charity, the Presbyterian church has not and holy effort to disenthral the millions of heretofore lingered in the rear, and if any mankind, and establish the claims of the thing shall prevent her from pouring the Savior of the world, then it is but too mani- main tide of her liberality into this noble fest, that in many of our churches, as well channel, with the volume and the velocity as in other places, the spirit of this enter- which these eventful times require, it will prise has but begun to appear. The bind- doubtless be the number and the pressure ing obligation of personal duty-the con- of her other objects of benevolence. She straining influence of the love of Christ, will not, however, fail to move in a line and the inward fervor of a renewed soul with the other large evangelical denominato honor God, by unfolding to the dark-tions of our land, each of which, in its dis

tinctive character, is girding on the heaven-will Protestant America, regarding itself, in ly armor. Indeed, the entire kingdom of connection with Protestant Europe, as the the Son of God, on earth, appears to be last hope of liberty, and of the church of waking from its long trance, and turning Christ on earth, nobly meet the exigencies its slumbering resources to their proper and of the occasion, and solemnly resolve to legitimate end, and it would now be idle to overcome every difficulty? This great anticipate any other result. On the bosom question remains not undecided before Him of the mighty ocean, tidings of the trans- who "sitteth on the throne." In his singu cendant excellence and power of the reli- lar Providence, the way is preparing for the gion of Jesus, have been borne to distant nations, and the word of promise which lands, and at the period when ancient su- has proceeded out of his mouth, cannot reperstitions are falling into disrepute, and turn unto him void. The period of the the despotisms that sustained them are Redeemer's reign, as sketched by all his crumbling away. The human mind, wea- prophets, is one of unwonted holiness, as ry of its wrongs-its oppressions-its dreary well as of unequalled felicity, and to this, existence, seems every where impatient to his visible kingdom must instrumentally yield itself to the master principle of its rise through the fearlessness and self-deniemancipation. The church of God must, al, and importunity, which the great achievetherefore, in good earnest, unfurl her ban- ment itself elicits. The spirit of avarice, ner, and set forward her apostolic soldiery, and selfishness, and worldliness, must be exat those points to which Providence so dis- iled from those who pledged their faith to tinctly leads, or prepare herself for the time each other, and to the Master at the comwhen these moral elements, let loose from munion board, that the chief end of life to the sway of a hated and despotic supersti- all may be to glorify God, and enlighten tion, may be expected, if then unblessed by and save their fellow-men. Universal love, her influence, to pour upon her the fury of thus impelling them to earnest prayer-and their storms. The onward roll of this so- growing vigilance, and Christlike charity lemn-unequalled crisis, nothing can im- and self-consecration, will also abridge pede; and partial and irresolute efforts to their superfluous wants-purify their lives fulfil I so high and glorious a destiny, are and elevate their piety. Heart must comentirely out of the question. Ruin, or re- bine with heart in effectual prayer, and demption-atheism or an elevated grade of willing offerings flow into the treasury of piety-the prevalence of deadlier crime and the Lord. Christian parents, as they pro deeper desperation-or the rapid growth nounce around their domestic circles, in and diffusion of all that is excellent and connection with the story of Calvary, the glorious in the ascendency of the gospel, thrilling utterance ye are not your own, ye would now seem to be, in respect to exten- are not ours, but are "wholly given unto sive portions of the Pagan world, the only the Lord," must breathe the spirit of this alternative. Amidst the millions of India, enterprise into the bosoms of their children, the ancient fabric of Hindooism is shaken until their eyes glisten with emotion, and to its foundation. A spirit of inquiry per- their hearts melt in compassion for the heavades the empire of Burmah and the coasts then. Shame and self-denial; separations of China. From island to island in the and diseases, trials and privations, must be broad Pacific, and amidst the tribes of con- regarded as the marks of honor, when entinental Africa, and New Zealand, attach- dured for the sake of the world's redemp ment to existing systems is yielded to an tion, and every heart and hand must unite intense desire to receive the heralds of the and commingle its best and holiest efforts in cross: and to what a state of things will the work of God. Then will He who keeps they doubtless return, if to them the gospel the "book of remembrance" listen to the of salvation is denied? Shall these oppress- voice of his servants, and pour out his Spirit ed fellow-men escape the degradation and from on high, "as showers that water the pollution of Paganism, only to lapse into earth." Impressed with his providential the horrors of infidelity-or wear the chains "tokens," and swayed by his invisible hand, of a sensual and vindictive Islamism?-or | Indian tribes, and Tartar hordes, and Ara

bian caravans, shall pause and listen to the church meet each other, and the excellency accents of his gospel, as in the wilderness, of the power is felt to be of God, will the and the desert, and in the cliffs of the moun-"temple" rise-will the day of redemption tains, it comes to their rude souls in the open-will the "kingdom" widen, until ALL "demonstration of the Spirit and with THE ENDS OF THE EARTH SHALL SEE THE power." And then, when the requirements SALVATION OF our God. of Christ and the spirit and action of his

1

COMMUNICATIONS FROM MISSIONARIES.

MISSION TO THE WESTERN INDIANS.

The following are extracts of a Letter, or rather Journal, of Rev. Joseph Kerr, missionary to the Western Indians. It is addressed to John Han

universe! On to-morrow, we expect to meet the Indians in a grove for the purpose of divine worship.

age

April 27.-This morning, had convernen, Esq., of Allegheny; and will be found to con- sation with one of the men who is employ. tain some interesting information of the countryed at our building. He is about the of denominated the Indian Reservation, and of the 40 years, and is a man naturally amiable. character and condition of its inhabitants. He gave me a narrative of his life, which corresponds with that of multitudes who "know their Master's will, but do it not."When young, he was given up by his attending physician in a case of sickness.He then prayed earnestly, and promised, if his life were spared, he would dedicate it to the service of God. He recovered; and, for a few weeks, "prayed in secret;" but, with returning health, his anxiety about his soul vanished. Four times since, he has been given up to die; and, each time, resolved, that, if life were spared, he would be for the Lord; and as often broke his resolution. He feels, that he is in danger, and yet vacillates. I fear death, while he delays repentance, will decide for him the awful question, what is to be his eternal state. He thinks he will try to live a better life; but how vain is this? I urged him to the duty of immediate submission to the Lord Jesus Christ.-The heathen around us, whatever may be our ultimate success, must be instructed, before we can hope for their salvation; and this gives additional interest to the condition of every impenitent man, and constitutes a louder call on our sympa. thy and entreaties.

Saturday evening, April 26, 1834.-I have just returned from a three days' unavailing search after our horses; and feel much wearied. I hired an Indian pony, and have been riding incessantly, but to no effect. The country over which I ranged is mostly prairie, beautifully carpeted with grass interspersed with lines of timber. I was absent two nights, and kindly received by two poor families on the frontiers. On my return to-day, I occasionally met an Osage Indian, in search of game. It was pleasant even to meet with these wild men. We would shake hands-talk a minute without either of us understanding the other; then shake hands again and separate. They generally gave evidence, by placing a finger in the mouth, that something to satisfy the cravings of hunger would be particularly grateful to them. How pleasing would it have been, could I have told them of that bread, of which if a man eat, he shall never more hunger!-We feel sensibly the loss of our horses at this time, as the materials for making our house more comfortable are in readiness for hauling. Several times, since leaving home, we have had evidence, that "a horse is a vain thing for confidence;" and now we have another instance. Also, in the fact, that our work, under present circumstances, must in a great measure stop, we see that man is dependent on inferior creatures. If so, how entirely must he be dependent upon the Ruler of the

Tuesday evening, April 29.-To our house the Indians daily resort. A number passed, this morning, under the influence of intoxicating liquor. Some of them were of the Weas; others of the Kickapoos; a considerable number of whom are now resident for a time within a few miles of this place.