rags," through a total moral depravity of heart, the whole of my conduct being stained with spiritual pollution. I rest my hope of justification and resurrection to eternal life wholly on the mercy of God, through the merit and intercession of a glorious Saviour, Jesus Christ." This precious Saviour, we trust, he embraced in the arms of faith, with lively joy; and being spared, as was the pious Simeon, to a very advanced age, he could no doubt on good grounds say with him, "Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." The other distinguishing feature in his character, his beneficence to the poor, which appears to have been the fruit of his Christian faith, is particularly worthy of our notice and imitation. In respect to his feelings and conduct towards the poor generally, and to the widows and fatherless particularly, he appears to have taken for his pattern, that eminent servant of the Lord, Job, in the days of his prosperity. Like him, he "delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon him, and he caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. He was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. He was a father to the poor, and the cause which he knew not he searched out." In consequence, "when the ear heard him, then it blessed him, and when the eye saw him, it gave witness to him." His known charities to the poor and unfortunate, and his contributions to various religious and other useful purposes, were remark. ably liberal; and as he was anxious that his left hand should not know what his right hand did, we have reason to conclude that his private charities, which will never be known till proclaimed at the day of judgment, were not inconsiderable. There was one species of charity, the most valuable and fruitful of benefit to the souls of men, of almost any other, and which he pursued to a great extent; and that is the purchase and dispersion of Bibles, and religious books and tracts, among the poor in various parts of New England, particularly in the frontier settlements. The number of books thus distributed at his expense can never probably be estimated. It is presumed, from what is known, that the number would much exceed 100,000. God gave him the means to do good, and with the means a heart to employ them in his service, for the benefit of his fellow men. His active benevolence continued to the day of his death. Rarely has a man died, at his advanced age, whose loss is so extensively and sensibly felt. But he ceases not to be useful now that he is in his grave. A liberal portion of the means he employed in doing good while he lived, are left in his will to operate in the same way now that he is gone. Eight bank shares of the United States Bank are bequeathed to the use of the poor of his native town, and an handsome sum to four religious societies, for the purpose of aiding in propagating the gospel.* Such a noble example of industry in business, of fidelity in office, of Christian piety and beneficence, it is hoped, will animate others whom God hath blessed with talents and wealth, to " go and do likewise." "Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord; from henceforth they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." To the fund of the Baptist Education Society, for the purpose of educating pious, indigent youth for thegospel ministry, ten shares in the Fire and Marine Insurance Corporation in Boston. To the Connecticut Missionary Society, ten shares. To the Massachusetts Missionary Society, tert shares. To the Hampshire Missionary Society, ten shares of the same stock. TO CORRESPONDENTS. PASTOR, and several other communications on hand, are postponed togive room for recent and interesting intelligence. OR, THE CHRISTIAN'S ARMORY. No. 30.] NOVEMBER, 1807. [No. 6. Vol. III. Biography. MEMOIR OF THE REV. C. F. SCHWARTZ, LATE MISSIONARY IN INDIA. From the London Evangelical Magazine. THE Rev. Christian Frederic Schwartz was born the 26th of October, 1726, at Sonnenburgh, in the New Mark. His father's name was George Schwartz; and his mother's maiden name, Gruner. The latter, who died during his early childhood, declared on her deathbed, both to his father and to the clergyman who at tended her, that she had dedicated her son to the Lord; and exacted a promise from both, that they would at least lay no obstacle in his way, in case he should express a desire to be educated for the church. At the age of eight years, Schwartz was sent to the town school, where he received many good impressions under the then rector, Mr. Helm; who, in his instructions in religion, affectionately recommended prayer to his scholars, and shewed how they might, in their own words, lay their concerns before God. Schwartz relates, in an account Vol. III. No. 6. G& written by himself, that he often, at that time, went into a solitary place, where he poured out his heart before God; in doing which he felt himself very happy. When he had done any thing amiss at home, he could not be easy till he had earnestly implored pardon of God. When the above mentioned rector was advanced to the situation of minister, and his successors paid little attention to the culture of the hearts of the youth under their care, Schwartz became again light minded. He received confirmation from a clergyman, who was contented if his catechumens could answer his questions; but was not anxious to perceive in them a real change of heart. Although at partaking, for the first time, of the holy communion, Schwartz experienced some serious impressions, they were soon obliterated. He was afterwards removed to the school at Custrin, where God raised him many benefactors. But as he lodged with light minded scholars, his heart be came more and more estranged from God, although he was not inattentive to external decorum in his conduct. However, even here, God did not leave himself without witness to him; for the discourses of the Rev. Mr. Stegmann, of Custrin, made strong impressions upon his mind; only he imagined it was not possible there to lead a religious life. He was also still destitute of a right notion of what true religion is; besides which, he did not perceive the necessity of trusting in the Divine Strength, to enable him to per severe. He was afterwards entrusted with the tuition of the daughter of a magistrate, who had studied at Halle, and who expressed a great love and veneration for the teachers of that place. He lent him also some books, especially the "Blessed Footsteps of the ever living God," by A, H. Franke; which he read not without emotion, and which first excited in him a wish to go to Halle. He further observes, in the above mentioned account, that he had been diligent, but merely for the sake of vainglory; that, in a dangerous disorder, with which he was twice attacked, he had formed a resolution to devote himself wholly to the Lord; which, however, he soon forgot to carry into execution. In the year 1746, he went to Halle, with a view to attend the Latin School of the Orphan House; but his countryman, the Rev. Benjamin Schultze, who had been an English missionary at Madras till the year 1743, and now resided at Halle, advised him to enter immediately at the college, as he was already 20 years of age, and sufficiently grounded in elementary knowledge. He took his advice; and diligently attended the lectures of the Professors at the University, Baumgarten, Michaelis, Knapp, 'Freylinghausen, &c. while he lodged and boarded at the Orphan House. He was soon employed in the instruction of youth, and was likewise appointed to hold the evening prayer meeting with the servants belonging to the farm of the Orphan House. Both the instruction of the children and his prayer meeting were beneficial to himself. Also, by his intercourse with a pious countryman of his, and by faithfully digesting what he heard in the meetings for edification, which were held at that time, he was more and more confirmed in Christian sentiments. They had both been first awakened in the prayermeetings held by the Rev. G. F. Weisse, then inspector of theGerman Schools of the Orphan House. It was at that time in contemplation to print the Bible in the Talmul language at Halle, under the superintendance of the above mentioned missionary Schultze. Schwartz, together with another student of this place, was commissioned to learn the Talmul language, in order to be employed in correcting the press. Although the printing of the Bible here was not carried into execution, yet the pains which Schwartz had bestowed for a year and a half upon the acquisition of the Talmul language, were not thrown away, since this became the occasion (the late Mr. Franke being also acquainted with his upright intentions) of his being appointed to go in the capacity of a missionary to the East Indies. He accepted this appointment; and although, some days after, an advantageous situation, as preacher, not far from Halle, was offered him, he declined it in the firm persuasion that it was the will of God he should go to the East In dies. His father, also, whom he visited before he set out upon his mission, gave his consent to it; and the event has shewn that God had chosen him to preach the gospel to the Heathen. On the 8th of August, 1749, Schwartz set out, with two other missionary candidates, Polzen, hagen and Huettemann (the lat ter being destined for the English mission) for Copenhagen. After they had there received ordination, they returned to Halle; from thence they proceeded on their way to London. On the 21st of January, 1750, they left London, embarked the 29th, and arrived on the 16th of July at Cadelar, and on the 30th at Tranquebar, in good health. As early as the 5th of November following, Schwartz delivered his first discourse in the Talmul language. In the year 1767, he was transferred to the English society, as missionary in Tirutchinapalli, after having several times already preached the gospel there, and met with great attention. In the year 1779, he went to Tanschaur, where he had already founded a congregation during his abode at Tirutchinapalli, and where he remained till his decease. At both places he received from the government at Madras an annual salary of 1001, as gar rison preacher. At Tirutchinapalli he expended the whole of this sum in the service of the mission, particularly in the building of the church and school, and also in augmenting the allowances of the national helpers. At Tanschaur he gave one half of his salary to Mr. Kohlhoff, whom he had educated and instructed until he was ordained at Tranquebar to be missionary at Tanschaur. The other half he likewise expended upon the mission. The fidelity with which he laboured, the self denial which he exercised, the blessing which attended his preaching of the gospel, the esteem in which he was held both by the Europeans and Talmuls, the veneration which The excellent conduct of Mr. Schwartz was such as to secure the confidence of all ranks of people. In the time of war, when the fort of Tanjore was in a distressed situation, a powerful enemy at hand, and not provision enough even for the garriSon; and when, to add to this misfortune, the neighbouring inhabitants, who, by ill treatment had lost all confidence in the Europeans, and the Rajah had in vain entreated the help of the people, the only hope left was in Mr. Schwartz. "We have all lost our credit," said the Rajab to an English gentleman; "let us try whether the inhabitants will trust Mr. Schwartz." Accordingly, he was desired to make an agreement with them. There was no time to be lost. The Seapoys fell down as dead people, being emaciated with hunger. The streets were lined with all his brethren paid to him, as to their father, counsellor, and pattern, appears sufficiently from the missionary accounts. Much has he laboured; great will be his reward. He enjoyed an almost uninterrupted good state of health, and could always perform his functions with ease; only in the last years he wrote, that he was no longer able to go about among the Heathen as formerly. dead corpses every morning. He sent, therefore, letters in every direction, promising to pay, with his own hands, for every bullock that might be taken by the enemy. In a day or two he got above a thousand bullocks. He sent Catechists and other Christians into the country, at the risk of their lives, who returned in a short time, and brought into the fort a great quantity of corn. Thus the fort was saved; and when all was over, he paid all the people, made them a small present, and sent them home. At another time, the inhabitants of the Tanjore country were so miserably oppressed by the Madras Dubashes and others, that they quitted the country; in consequence of which all cultivation ceased, and every one dreaded a famine. The Rajah endeavoured to recall the people, promising that their oppressions should be removed, and justice should be done them; but they would not believe him. Mr. Schwartz was then desired by the Rajah to write letters to them, assuring them that, at his intercession, kindness should be shewn them. He was credited. Seven thousand came back in one day, and the rest of the inhabitants followed, 'He then exhorted them to exert themselves to the utmost at the time, for cultivation was nearly lost. They replied, "As you have shewed kindness to us, you shall not have reason to repent of it we intend to work day and night, to shew our regard to you." These facts, and other similar ones, were related by Mr. Schwartz, in a But, in the beginning of November, 1797, a cold, which he had taken, became the occasion of a severe fit of illness. At that time great apprehensions were entertained for his life. however, was pleased so far to God, bless the use of the medicines, that were employed, that he was enabled once more to resume several of his occupations, although some diminution of the energy of his mind was observ letter to the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, (Feb. 1794) in vindication of himself and the mission, from the unjust charges of a gentleman in a newspaper. He closes his letter thus: "I might have enlarged my account; but fearing that some characters might have suffered by it, I stop here. One thing, however, I affirm before God and man: That if Christianity, in its plain and undisguised form, was properly promoted, the country would not suffer, but be benefitted by it. God, of his divine perfections, and of The knowledge of his mercy to mankind, may be abused; but there is no other method of reclaiming mankind than by instructing them well. To hope that the Heathens will live a good life, without the knowledge of God, is a chimera. "The praise bestowed on the Heathen of this country by many of our historians, is refuted by a close (I might almost say, superficial) inspection of their lives. Many historical works are more like romance than history. Many gentlemen here are astonished how some historians have prostituted their talents by writing fables. "I am now at the brink of eternity; but, to this moment, I declare, that I do not repent of having spent forty three years in the service of my divine Master. Who knows but God may remove some of the great obstacles to the propagation of the gospel ? Should a reformation take place among the Europeans, it would, no doubt, be the greatest blessing to this country." |