RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. AMERICA. Singular Providence in preparing a Preacher for the Indians. Eleazer Williams, a youth of about 22 years of age, who is now under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. Hale, of Westhampton, in North America, with a view to theChristian ministry, is a great-grandson of Eunice Williams, who, in the year 1704, when seven years old, with her father, the Rev. John Williams, minister of Deerfield, Massachusets, and the rest of the family, was taken captive by the Indians. The rest of the family were redeemed; but she was obliged to continue among the Indians, and soon lost her native language. Great efforts were made to redeem her, but in vain; an over-ruling Providence rendered them ineffectual, no doubt, for wise purposes. She was married, in early life, to an Indian whose name was Turroger. She had eight children. One of them, Mary, who lived to be married, had one son, viz. Thomas, the father of the youth first mentioned. The Rev. John Williams never ceased to labour, hope, and pray for the redemption of his daughter Eunice; tho' he did not live to reap the fruits of his endeavours. But after his death, Dr. Williams, his son, obtained an interview with this long-lost dear sister. This took place in Albany, in 1740. Eunice, with her husband and children, were then prevailed upon to accompany her brother and others to Longmeadow, where they spent a week in receiving the attentions and caresses of a crowd of friends, who flocked from all the towns in the vicinity. The scene was singular, striking, and impressive. Twice or thrice, after this, she and her husband renewed their visit; and at one-time staid several months. Great offers were made to them if they would stay and settle in that country; but Eunice positively refused, offering only this reason:-That living among ་ heretics would endanger her and her childrens' salvation;'-for it is to be observed, that she had joined the Papists in the neighbourhood where she married. Her grandson Thomas, paid a visit in 1797, when it was proposed to him to send one or two of his sons to be educated. In Jan. 1800, he came with two of them, Eleazer and John, and left them there; but in 1803, he returned, and said, that unless he took back with him one or both of his sons, the priest, who was much offended, would excommunicate their mother. Eleazer, however, continued; and has made good progress in various branches of knowledge, and is earnestly desirous of devoting himself to the instruction of his fellow-sinners, and especially of the Indian tribes, in the glorious religion of the blessed Redeemer. He is kindly supported by some liberal Christians in pursuing ap propriate studies, to qualify him for the office of a Missionary. We transcribe the postscript of a letter written by him, which fully expresses his views: Will you believe me, Sir, when I tell you, that no tongue can express the feelings I have for my poor red brethren, who are now sitting in the region and shadow of death! They know not the God who made them; they are ignorant of the Saviour, who is styled the Way, the Truth, and the Life; but I have this consolation, that the time is coming when the glorious gospel of the blessed God shall sound in their ears, and that God will make them willing in the day of his power to embrace it. It is my earnest prayer, that God would fit and enable me, by his grace, to go among my brethren according to the flesh, and preach to them the unsearchable riches of Christ! SPAIN. WHEN the Regency of Spain took their oaths of office at Cadiz, according to the new constitution, We rejoice to hear, from time to time, of the increasing zeal of our Hibernian friends, in extending the knowledge of the gospel in Ireland, where in so many places • gross darkness cover the people;' where the harvest is so plenteous, and the labourers so few.' A Missionary Fund has been established by the Rev. W. Cooper and his friends at Plunket Street Chapel, in order to aid the various plans of usefulness adopted in the united kingdom. Out of this fund they have already contributed to the Missionary Society, to the Baptist Mission, to the Hibernian Bible Society, to the London Society for the Jews, &c. Provincial Intelligence. AT the Chester Sessions, H. Bow. ers, P. Williams, J. Thomas, and R. Bentham, made application for licences to act as preachers. The former, on producing a certificate of his being attached to a particular congregation, took the several oaths; but the Recorder objected to the admission of the others, from a deficiency in the testimonials of the specific appointments which they produced. Mr. Cross, on behalf of Mr. P. Wil liams, addressed the Court, and observed that numerous difficulties have lately occurred in obtaining licences, which were never heard of till the late new construction was put on the Toleration Act. being produced by Mr. Williams, Mr. Bentham, and Mr. Thomas, the Recorder expressed his consent that li cences should be granted. The Annual Meeting of the Benevolent Society for the Relief of the Widows and Children of the Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the counties of Essex and Hertfordshire, will be at the Sun Inn, at Hitchin, on Wednesday, the 20th of this month (May). A sermon in the evening by Mr. Parry, of Wymondley. The Annual Meeting of the Somerset Association is to be held at Broadway, near Ilminster, on Wednesday, the 27th inst. (May) Mr. Buck to preach in the morning; and Mr. Golding in the evening. The Annual Meeting of the Bedfordshire Union of Christians will be held on the same day, when Mr. T. P. Bull is expected to preach one of the şermors. RECENT DEATHS. Died March 17, at Taunton, of an inflammation on the lungs, aged only 29, the Rev. William Heudebourck, Pastor of the church and congregation of Protestant Dissenters at Bishop's Hull, near Taunton. As the Rev. Mr. Codling, of Kimbolton, was preaching from Psalm 118,' I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. The Lord hath chastened me sore; but he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord, he suddenly stopped short, and exclaimed I can't!' I can't and immediately sunk down in the pulpit, and almost instantly expired. He was only 32 years of age. (Times, April 13.) On the morning of Lord's Day, April 5, the Rev. J. Bowden, left his house. at Tooting, Surry, in his usual health, and rode on horse-back to Hammersmith, to preach at the chapel of the Rev. Mr. Raffles. He prayed and afterwards commenced his sermon on James iv.7, Submit yourselves to God." He had preached about 20 minutes," when his countenance was observed to change; his speech faltered, - and he sunk down in the pulpit, in an apo plectic fit. He was immediately con veyed to a friend's house, was bled, spoke a sentence or two, then fell into. • a stupor, and expired about two o'clock in the following morning. Mr. B. was about 65 years of age. He was a truly pious and zealous ministere Anniversary of the Missionary Society. THE Annual Meeting of this Society will, with Divine permission, be held in London, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of May. The arrangement of the intended services is as follows: SURRY CHAPEL.-Wednesday Morning. The Rev. MATTHEW WILKS to preach. TABERNACLE. Wednesday Evening. The Rev. JOHN LOVE, A. M. Minister of Anderston, near Glasgow, to preach. SILVER STREET.- Thursday Morning. The Directors, Members and Friends of the Institution will meet at the Rev. Mr. Jones's Chapel, to transact the usual business of the Society. The Report of the Directors for the past year will be read, and the Officers and Directors for the year ensuing will be chosen. - Thursday Evening. The Rev. ALEX TOTTENHAM COURT CHAPEL. ANDER STEILL, of Wigan, will preach. ST. BRIDE'S CHURCH, FLEET STREET. Friday Morning. The Rev. EARLE GILBEE, D. D. Rector of Barby, in Northamptonshire, will preach. The Members will meet at the Committee Room, Sion Chapel, at Four in the afternoon, on the business of the Society. SION CHAPEL Friday Evening. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper will be administered to the Members and Friends of the Society, who are Stated Communicants with a Christian Church, of whatever denomination, maintaining evangelical principles; who must produce Tickets of Admission signed by their respective ministers. Strict attention will be paid to this necessary regulation, to prevent the admission of improper persons, and to secure that solemnity of behaviour which is necessary to the due celebration of this sacred ordinance. TONBRIDGE CHAPEL, SOMERS' Town. As a far greater number of persons have lately sought admittance at Sion Chapel than could comfortably be accommodated, the Directors have resolved (by way of experiment, for this year) that the Lord's Supper shall be administered at Tonbridge Chapel also, at the same hour. A limited number of Tickets, adapted to the size of the place, will be issued; and no persons admitted, except into the galleries, without them. All the morning services will commence at Half-past Ten; and the evening services at Six. A COLLECTION, for the benefit of the Society, will be made at the close of each service; and as the Society have been under the necessity of expending, during the last year, about Two Thousand Five Hundred Pounde more than their income, it is earnestly hoped that the liberality of British Christians will be eager to supply the deficiency, and enable the Directors not only to support the present missions, but greatly to increase them. A Collection of Hymns adapted to Missionary Occasions, both in town and country, may be had at the Publishers of this Magazine, or at the doors of the chapels, price Sixpence. Tickets for the Communion may be had of the Rev. Mr. Tracy, No. 4, Bartlett's Buildings, ou Friday, May the 8th, and on the following day, or on Sunday the 10th, of the Ministers connected with this Society;-and by Ministers from the country, in the vestries of the public meetings, on Wednesday and Thursday. C € 2 MISSIONARY SOCIETY. LETTERS, have lately been received from New South Wales, dated May 4, 1811, stating that some of the Missionaries were then about to return to Otaheite.-A letter has also been received from Mr. Smart, dated Elizabeth Town, Upper Canada, Nov. 20, 1811.- Mr. Cox was at Matilda Town; where he intended to winter. A Letter has also been received from Mr. Pritchett, Calcutta; and one from Mr. Hands, Billary, dated August 1811, with his journal to that time. - DR. VANDERKEMP. The Directors, Subscribers and Friends of the Missionary Society, desirous of paying a public tribute of respect to the memory of the late Rev. Dr. Vanderkemp, their excellent and useful Missionary in South Africa, assembled on Thursday morning, March 26, at Surry Chapel; when the Rev. R. Hill read suitable portions of Scripture, the Rev. John Townsend prayed, the Rev. A. Waugh preached an adinirable sermon, adapted to the mournful occasion, on 2 Tim. iv. 7, I have finished my course; and the Rev. Mr. Steinkopff concluded the solemn service by prayer. We are sorry that the sermon is not printed; but the character and outlines of the life of the truly apostolic Vanderkemp are now before the public, in the Memoir published by order of the Directors. ADDRESS. THE Directors of the Missionary Society once more earnestly invite their constituents, the subscribers, Friends to the Society,' to favour them with their presence at the next Annual Meeting. Could they utter this call in a manner equal to their wishes, it should be heard to the utmost shores of the British isles, and should inspire in every minister, in every Christian, an ardent desire to come up and assist in the consultations and devotions which have for their object the diffusion of the knowledge of Christ, whose dear name awakes to rapture every holy heart throughout the universe. The London Directors are aware that it may be thought they feel none of the hindrances which prevent their country friends from attending. But while they are thankful for the superior opportunities which they enjoy of sharing in the labours and pleasures of a Society which lies near their hearts, the present address is dictated by a Director, who resides nearly a hundred miles from London, and who can therefore enter into the feelings of his country brethren. Some churches contribute annually to replenish the funds of the Society, which are annually exhausted by the demands of old missions and the establishment of new ones. But it is much to be regretted that so many congregations have not yet adopted this most excellent custom. It is calculated that one single county furnishes a third of the whole sum contributed by all the counties of the British isles; vet those churches which make an annual collection, find that the season is looked forward to with eager desire, and is the most pleasant and fitable in the whole year. The pastor is delighted with fresh discoveries of the power of religion in his congregation; and the flock is pleased and animated with his grateful acknowledgements of their devotedness to the cause of Christ. Let none refuse to furnish annual contributions, because the sum would be small; for it would perhaps increase every year; and sanall annual collections from every congregation in the kingdom would enable the Missionary Society to establish new missions. But without this it will soon be necessary to confine itself to those already established, and leave all the rest of the heathen world unrelieved. pro The ministers who regularly attend the Annual Meetings of the Society, find great edification and delight; and return to their respective charges with new animation. For this, some who can but ill afford it, submit to the expence of a journey to London; but as some are compelled to forege this pleasure, it is much to be wished that the churches would defray their minister's travelling expences. THE genuine philanthropy which was displayed by our blessed 'Redeemer and his Apostles, and which is also the genuine result of Christian principles, was happily revived at the formation of the Missionary › Society, when Christians of various denominations, inspired with an ar-.dent desire for the salvation of the perishing Heathen, united their exertions, to communicate to them the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Christian zeal which then burst forth, has led to the formation of various institutions for the diffusion of the gospel, both at home and abroad but in no instance has its influence been more remarkably felt than in the formation and extension of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Here Christians discover common ground upon which they may meet and act in concert with each other, to promote the interests of their Redeemer's kingdom, without sacrificing any principle which they may deem of importance. Auxiliary Bible Societies, by means of Sub-committees, visit the habitations of the poor, and obtain an accurate knowledge of the state of that class of society with regard to their want of the holy Scriptures. Their enquiries have ascertained, that, notwithstanding the apparent plenty of Bibles in this kingdom, many thousands of families are destitute of the word of eternal life. Means have been taken to supply thei with it, either gratuitously, or, which is in general preferable, by sale at very low prices; and, in the latter case, they are sometimes paid for by small weekly instalments. By these means, we trust, the time will shortly arrive when every poor family will be in possession of that invaluable treasure, a BIBLE. In addition to those noticed in our Magazines for January and February last, we have been informed of the following Auxiliary Societies which have been recently instituted; viz. at Halifax, York, Knares borough and Harrowgate, Scarborough, Burlington, Darlington, Dundee, Leith, Glasgow, Coldfield, Sutton Coldfield, Derby, Stafford, Chesterfield, Tewkesbury, Bath, North Cornwall (at Launceston), Maidenhead, Hertford, Saffron Walden, Chelmsford, Blackheath, and one composed of Ladies, at Westminster. Several of the above have Branch Scieties upon an extensive scale, and others have Bible Associations, or Penny Societies, connected with them. They all embrace Churchmen and Dissenters, co-operating in the management of their concerns, and are under the immediate patronage of persons of the first respectability in the Brisish em pire. While we rejoice in the opportunity of giving this information,/ we would earnestly entreat our readers to consider, whether associations somewhat similar to the above might not be formed in aid of the MISSIONARY SOCIETY The order of time in which Providence raised up the two Societies, is highly instructive. Missionary Societies must always precede Bible Societies. It is by means of Missionaries first sent into all lands, that the Bible must be translated into all languages. Without the living voice of the preachers of the gospel, the Bibles sent into heathen coun tries will lie there as dead lumber, exciting no attention, and meeting no disposition to read them; nor is it less necessary that Missionaries. should, by their preaching, give the clue to the understanding of the Scriptures; for it is the preaching of the Cross, not the mere reading of the Bible, which is made the wisdom and the power of God, and by which he has ordained to save them that believe. This is proved also by present facts, and by an instructive occurrence recorded in the Scriptures. Are there not towns and villages, and rural parts of this kingdom, where there are many readers who possess Bibles, which lie neglected on their shelves, and are sealed books, for want of one of those preachers of the › gospel, who are employed by the Lamb to loose the seals, to open the book, to cry, Come and see,' and to pour the light of the Scripture upon the mind? It is only where the gospel is preached that men read their Bibles to profit; and is not this taught us in the history of the Bible itself? Suppose a Bible Society to have put the Scriptures into the hands of the Ethiopian Eunuch-see how ineffectual this is without a Missionary} 6 |