374 Wicliff's Translation of the New-Testament. might be healed; Mr. B complied to his re- perverted to secular purposes, and quest, for which he appeared thankful. corruption pervaded all parts of the March 1.—Tidings were spread throughout Church. Wiclif, however, was a dilthe village, that Riho-riho, the king, was dyigent student of the Bible. And as ing at Waititi; upon which Mr. B and Ho-in this he pursued a singular course, poo, repaired to the spot, and found, that he so his mind was singularly enlighthad been seized with an alarming fit, which ened by divine truth. The consethreatened his life. The deep sympathy quence was, that he detected and manifested by the great concourse of people had courage to oppose the errors of assembled to hear of their sovereign's welfare the times. In the year 1372, he was was truly astonishing;-this probably arose elected Professor of Divinity in Oxfrom apprehensions of personal danger in ford. His lectures attracted a vast case the king should die. Medicine was given concourse of pupils; and he was greathim, and prayer made on his behalf, when hely admired and followed as a preachcomposed himself quietly to rest. He was a- er. Endowed with uncommon pruagain attacked during the night, but survived dence, as well as fervent piety, he did not at first directly attack the prejudices of the age in which he lived; nor did he in the pulpit delight in it. 2. He was removed to Hanaroorah on a couch, where medical aid was afforded him, by the providential arrival of an English phycontroversy. But he chose as the sician he gained mighty influence; and was enabled at length, to shake the foundation of the strong holds of clerical corruption. He has been beautiful subject matter of his sermons, the 3. The king being nearly recovered, in- doctrines and duties of Christianity. vited Mr. B. to take tea with him, to ask a These he delivered in a plain, simple blessing, and give thanks. style, and urged them on the con24, Sab. About three hundred souls listen-sciences of his hearers. In this way ed to a sermon preached from Isaiah xlv. 22, "Look unto me," &c. The audience consist ed of the king, five or six of the principal chiefs, and of honorable women not a few, be side, the seamen in port. Although it mightly as well as truly called "the Mornbe imagined that the natives not knowing the good which would be produced by the gospel, or rather, the influence which it would have on its possessors, would not raise any opposition to it, but permit those desirous, to attend when they pleased. But it is otherwise; every possible allurement is thrown in the way of the king and chiefs, to do away the good effects which the duties of the sanctuary are calculated to have their minds, by those opposed to the gospel We observe, however, that their overtures with the king to dine with them after sermon, have been promptly rejected. [Continued] SPECIMEN OF WICLIF'S TRANSLATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. The rul ing Star of the Reformation." He The celebrated Dr. Wiclif (Wick-was rousing opposition, & promoting liffe) was born about the year 1324. reformation, it pleased the Sovereign This was about the darkest period of of the universe in the year 1384, to the dark ages. Christianity had been remove him by disease, and thu lị appoint the malice of those who had | seide haue thou cure of him, and hunted for his life. whateuer thou schalt give ouer: I Wiclif translated the whole Bible schal yelde thee whanne I come agen. into English; but only the new Tes- Who of these thre seemeth to thee: tament has been published. We give was neighbore to him that fel among the following extract from the late theues? And he seide, he that did meredition of this version by Baber, that cy into him, and Jhesus seide to him our readers may see what the Eng-go thou and do thou in lyk manner." ⚫lish language was in the year 1380. We have chosen as our Specimen, the parable of the good Samaritan.-LUKE X. 25—37.] We add the brief story of Martha And was doon while thei wenten Our readers may now see Wiclif's and Mary in the same chapter. prose and compare it with the version now in use, which it will be recollect- || he entride into a castel, and a womed, was made in the reign of James I. man Martha by name resevede him in the year 1610. into hir hous. And to this was a sister Marye by name, which also sat besidis the feet of the Lord, and herde his word. But Martha bisiede aboute the ofte seruice, and sche stood and seide, Lord takest thou no kepe: that my Sister hath left me aloone to serue? therefore seye thou to hir, that sche helpe me. And the Lord answerde and seyde to hir, Martha, Martha, thou art bisy: and art troublid about ful manye thingis: But o thing is necessarye, Marye hath chosen the best part: which schal not be taken awey fro hir. among "And lo a wise man of the law roos up: temptinge him and seyinge, maister what thing schal I do to have euerlastinge lyf. And he seide to him what is writun in the Lawe? how redist thou? He answerde and seide, thou schalt loue thi Lord God of alle thin herte; and of alle thi soule and of alle thi strengthis, and of alle thi mynde, and thi neighbore as thi silf. And Jhesus seide to him thou hast answerde rightly, do this thing and Such we see are the changes which thou schalt liue. But he willinge to take place in living languages. Wicjustifie himsilf seide to Jhesus, & who lif's version was made in the year is my neighbore? And Jhesus biheeld, 1380, and that now in use was comand seide, a man came down fro Je-pleted in the year 1610; so that there rusalem into Jerico: and fel was an interval of 230 years between theuys, and thei robbiden hym, and them. woundeden hym, and wenten awey: and left the man half alyue. And it bifel that a prest cam doun the same more fixed now than in former times. weye and passide forth whanne he From the completion of the version hadde seyn him. Also a Dekene now used until the present day, there whanne he was bisidis the place and have elapsed 213 years; and there are sigh him, passide forth. But a Sam-in that version but few obsolete or unaritan goynge the weye came besidis intelligible words. him, and he sigh him and hadde reuthe on him: and cam to him and bond his woundis togidere and held in oyle and wyn, and leyde him on his beest, and ledde him into an ostrye; and dide the cure of him. And ananother day he broughte forth twie pens: and gaf it to the osteler, and It will strike every reader, however, that the English language is much Evang. & Lit. Mag. UNITED STATES AND ENGLAND, The slanders contained in the English prints, particularly in the Quarterly Review, respecting the inhabitants of this country, have long been a matter of notoriety, This abuse 376 New-England Conference. is the mere effusion of interest, and those feelings of warmth and cordialiof bigotry. The prosperity of this ty which are now often visible in the country is a painful subject of con-best society here. templation for those who wish to see "The Quarterly Review is much property, learning and enjoyment con-blamed and reprobated by many even fined to their own island; though they of those of the same party politics. might be willing, were we to become Its scurrility is really disgraceful. their colonists,-faithful hewers of "I lately received a letter from wood and drawers of water for the Mrs.Hannah Moore, in which she says mother country-to bestow a little "I forgot whether I told you in my commendation upon us. As it is, we last, that I had spoken to Lord Sidare to expect no mercy at their hands. mouth, who visited me at that time, The bigots too are all against us,-of the shameful conduct of some of the bigots in politics and religion. our newspapers, reviews, &c. in their The ultra-royalists is scandalized at unwarantable treatment of America. our audacity in making a constitution He expressed the utmost indignation, for ourselves, believing, with Louis and said it was highly offensive in the 18th, that a constitution, to be itself, and dangerous in its consegood for any thing, must be granted quences. I since spoke to another by some monarch. The ultra-church-man in power who said he wished man is willing to charge our want of much to check it." an establishment upon our infidelity, and is surprised that we are blind to the manifold blessings of the tithe system. To Europe and to the world they make known their displeasure. While we regret the exhibitions of prejudice, ignorance, and we may add, malice, furnished by some of the English writers, it affords us pleasure to be informed, of what, indeed, we already believed, that the most respectable portion of the British community give no credence to these slanders, and regret their publication. The following extract of a letter from a gentleman in England to his correspondent in this country, is proof of this fact, and will be read with pleasure by those who are desirous that the friendly relations of the two countries should be permanent. This extract was first published in the Gospel Advocate. Rel. Int. "In a note which I received the other day from Mr. Wilbeforce, he says, "I can scarcely express, in language sufficiently strong to do justice to my feelings, the indignation I feel at the attempts I sometimes witness, to produce a mutual spirit of alienation between the inhabitants of this country and the United States, and my endeavors are used to the utmost to cultivate a mutual spirit of good will between them." "I think you will be gratified by these extracts, as demonstrating the feelings of those whose feelings you would most regard." NEW-ENGLAND CONFERENCE. was The Conference rose last evening, after a laborious session of eight days, Great harmony prevailed among the members, and much business transacted. One hundred and fifty"I much rejoice to trace the dawn one preachers were appointed to itinof a more kindly feeling between our erate in the various stations and cirtwo countries. In this country, more cuits, for the year ensuing. Besides especially, a more just estimate of these there are upwards of two hunAmerica is every day gaining ground dred local preachers in this Conferand there are many who avail them-ence, and three superanuated preachselves of every opportunity to fan The whole number of commu ers. nicants is about 21,000. The in-hundred, as near as I can learn, have crease during the last year was near-been happy subjects of the work. ly 1000. During the sitting of the Conference in this town, there has been a prayer-meeting in the morning, and preaching and divine service in the afternoon and evening of each day. The preachers have been earnest and faithful, and the congregations numerous, serious and attentive; and we doubt not that these exertions will be followed by a blessing from on high. The Wesleyan Missionaries at the Shetland Isles have met with much success among that neglected people. On the 5th of January, which the natives observe as Old Christmas, they came in flocks on the Island of Burra to hear the Gospel.-Formerly this day was kept by them in rioting and drunkenness. Zion's Her. Upwards of one hundred have been added to the Methodist Church, some to the Baptist and a few to the Congregational; and a number more have not as yet connected themselves with any particular denomination. The work still progresses and there is a prospect of its continuance. It has not been confined to any one grade of people-the high, the low, the rich, the poor, the noble and ignoble, have shared in the work. CARLISLE, JULY 4. FOURTH OF JULY. We congratulate our patrons on the return of another anniversary of the Independence of our country A day, which must be held in grateful remembrance by every American, and particularly by every American christian. This country was first settled by persons who resorted to its shore, to find Christian Liberty; content rather to endure the privations attending a settlement in an entire wilderness, far from home; to leave kindred and every Letter from the Rev. John Whittle-kindred tie;-affluence and ease, that they sey, to the Editor, dated June 16th, might be permitted to worship God, accord1823. From the R. I. R. Intelligencer. REVIVAL AT MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS. Mr. Badger, ing to the dictates of their consciences, under their own vine and fig tree, no person to interrupt or molest After a series of years, erties were again threatened;-the liberties I have felt much gratified, as well when the little family of devoted pilgrims had as profited, in the perusal of your re-increased to an interesting extent, these libligious paper: and feeling sensible you take a deep interest in the spread of the Gospel, I take the liberty to give you an account of the most wonderful work of the Lord upon the hearts of the people upon Martha's Vineyard; the particulars of which I learned upon a recent visit to that place. Two years ago, Rev. John Adams was stationed on that Island by the New-England Conference, where, notwithstanding some opposition, he and his "help mete," have labored for the good of souls with unwearied zeal and remarkable success. Blessed be God, their labor has not been in vain in the Lord. About two which had already cost so dear! With hearts conscious of the evils already endured under the hand of an oppressor, they boldly, assert their freedom; and hence this anniversary. We all know the result of that declaration. We are in duty bound to keep this day with grateful recollection of the event it calls to mind. But let us not celebrate it as a festival of some idol deity. Let us not in professing to honor it, bow at the shrine of Bacchus and own him as our deliverer. Let no professors of religion so much dishonor their master as to join in with those, who in this manner, would perpetuate its memory. Let none of them raise their shouts of joy to the passing wind; instead of raising them to the rightful sove 378 To our Patrons.-Commencement of Dickinson Gollege reign. But let us repair to the sanctuary of that God, who alone can hear and deliver us and offer our thanks to him in the soft aspiration of prayer and praise. Then our devo tions will appear sincere;--but, as long as it is celebrated with its wonted hilarity, around the flowing bowl, we must consider it as opposed to the gospel of Christ, and contrary to a profession of the Christian religion. Codwise, Wm. L. Helfenstein, Jas. The Degree of Master of Arts was conferred on Alfred Foster, M. D. Alexander Brackenridge, Esq. James Divine worship will be held in the Metho-Hamilton, Esq. Thomas Kelly, Esq. dist Church, to-day at 10 o'clock. and John D. Mahon, Esq. Alumni of the Institution. The honorary degree of Master of Arts, on Adam Hays, M. D. and the degree of D. D. on Philip Lindsley, V. P. of Nassau Hall. In two weeks the first half year of our labors will be finished; a few having subscribed for six months, and those generally on conditions that if they were pleased with the work they would continue to receive it; we think it our duty to inform them of the time their term It must have been peculiarly gratiwill expire. Those of them who have com- fying, to all the friends of the youth, plied with the terms of the paper, have only and the Institution, to observe in to leave directions with us, as to their deter- these first fruits of Dickinson College mination, and we shall act accordingly;--those such rich promise of future usefulness. who have not paid the advance money, are The pieces delivered were all excelinformed that discharging it will be a neces-lent in their kind, conferring honor sary pre-requisite to having it discontinued. In case of neglect in any of these particulars, we shall take it for granted that they are pleased with our performance, and of course intend to continue their patronage. All who did not state particularly the time for which they subscribed, are considered as patrons for the year. COMMUNICATED. on the youth, as well for their sound sense and correct sentiments, as for the ease and beauty of their style. Such specimens of composition, and such independence of thought; speak much in favor of the general system of education adopted by their professors and especially of that care that is manifested in relation to their studies in Polite Literature. To the religious public, it will be pleasing intelligence to hear that out of the 19 who composed this class all except three have professed the religion of Jesus Christ, and devoted themselves to his service before their entrance on the world. The friends of the Insti On Wednesday the 25th ult., the annual Commencement of Dickinson College, was held in the Presbyterian Church. At a quarter before ten in the morning the Board of Trustees, the Faculty and Students with a number of citizens and strangers, formed in procession, at the College Chapel,tution and the inhabitants of the place and passed to the church.* Nineteen young men of whom the class was comprised, were admitted to the degree of Batchelor of Arts, viz. J. Holmes Agnew, Alfred Armstrong, George W. Bethune, Ira C. Boice, William H. Cahoone, jr. A. H. *See last number for order of exercise, could not but be highly gratified, at the large concourse of strangers that attended to witness the exercises of Commencement. Among them we discovered the Rev.Dr.Ashbael Green, and Dr. N. W. Chapman, of Philadelphia. The character of the exhibition, & the general interest manifested in the Institution prove its growing usefulness and promise its future prosperity. |