"Br. Vaughan and I, with Mr. Fox, conduct the Boys' School; and Mrs. Vaughan, Mrs. Bunyer, and Mrs. Fox, that for Girls. The united labours, now exercised there, will, we trust, have God's blessing upon them, and our weakness be made perfect by almighty strength. We hope to retain your confidence, and with faithfulness to discharge the trust committed to our care. Br. Vaughan and I alternately attend the Adult School, which is held every day from 4 to 6 o'clock, Saturdays and Sundays excepted; Mr. Fox attends when opportunity offers. "It pleases God still to continue the blessing of health to me and my wife. Several of our friends have fallen a prey to fever since our arrival, but the Lord still holds us up. May we work while it is called to-day, while life and health last; and not in our own strength, but more simply in dependance on the power and teaching of the Holy Spirit." Rev. W. H. Schemel. Mr. Schemel, who went out with Mr. Bunyer, in a few days followed his fellow labourer to the grave. Two medical gentlemen of the colony advised his removal to some other climate. Their testimonial, dated the 20th of March, is highly honourable to his memory— "We recommend Mr. Schemel's return by an early ship; and, as his attachment to the cause in which he is engaged is such that he will only resign it with his life, we would sug gest that the climate of the Mediterranean, India, or New Holland, is best calculated for him. We can promise no recovery, and only a deceptive amelioration, while he remains here; as the sudden transitions from heat to cold, and other local circumstances, are directly the reverse of being favourable to him." Mr. Schemel's return was, in consequence, determined on; but, before he could embark, a fatal seizure took place. On Saturday, April the 19th, he was attacked by apoplexy, and was, by repeated attacks, soon brought to the grave. An extract from his journal will show both the diligence with which he prepared for his labours while on his way to Af rica, and the guard which he had on his own spirit "I commenced a regular course of study. In the morning, I translate a chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians from the Greek; and have begun, with the assistance of the best German critics, to write a brief explanation of the Epistle. In the afternoon, I either write Sermons or translate the Psalms out of the Hebrew. These employments afford me many pleasures; and I often think How delightful will it be to be able to instruct one of those African youths, who will be entrusted to my care, in these Sacred Languages and in the elements of Christian Theology"!" Of his last moments, a friend writeslife, was attended with delirium; but, during "The fever, which terminated his valuable his lucid intervals,. he always expressed his sure hope, through Christ, of life everlasting." Rev. W. Johnson. The motives of Mr. Johnson's visit home, will be seen in the following extract of a letter from him to the secreta. ry, dated November 22, 1822— alive; and I need not say that I feel very anx"I believe now, that my dear wife is still ious to see her once more. Would you, therefore, be so kind as to solicit the Committee on my behalf, to give me leave to return next April or May to England? I should also feel more comfortable in my present situation, if my affairs respecting my relatives in Hanover, have a brother, sixteen years of age, unprovidsince the death of my mother, were settled: I ed for; and unless I endeavour to do some thing for him, he will be exposed to the world without a guide or a single friend. "I should wish to be back again in September or October; as I would not be absent any part of the Dry Season. "My present labours are so various, that I think a visit would do me a great deal of good. It would especially refresh my spirits, which are very low: yet I am so wonderfully supported, that, at times, I am lost in admiration how I get through all so well. Oh, what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me!" The committee most readily acceding to Mr. Johnson's wish, he embarked, as before stated, on Saturday, the 26th of April. He had in charge Mr. Düring's daughter. A young native woman, one of Mr. Johnson's communicants, accompanied them to take care of the child. This was mercifully ordered ; as in the afficting and final scene which soon followed, this native Christian administered to his comfort, and received his dying words and testimony. On Tuesday the 29th, the third day after they sailed, his sickness began. On Wednesday the fever increased, and he thought his end was near. On Thursday a blister was put on his chest to relieve his pains; but he continued to grow worse. On Friday he could not turn in bed: hiccough came on; and he said to his mourning convert, “I think I cannot live.” He suffered much under the black your exhortation was not lost upon them; for vomit. On Saturday, May the Sd, the day of his death, he would call, in intervals of delirium, for David Noah, his active and laborious assistant; and for his friend Mr. During, and endeavour to tell them what he had to say before he died. He expressed his earnest wish to see his wife; and encouraged his attendant, bidding her not to fear, and giving her directions how to proceed on her arrival in London. He then desired her to read to him the twen we had, on the Monday after, a large increase in both Schools. "May the Lord be with you, to bless and preserve you! may He make you instrumental in stirring up the people of England to come to the help of the Lord! May He return you, in due time, in answer to the prayers of your people, filled with the blessings of the Gospel of Christ; and then give you many more seals to your Ministry, and many more souls to your hire." It may be easily conceived what poignant feelings of sorrow the death of Mr. Johnson will awaken in the breasts of the whole population of Regent's Town; and especially of the hundreds of sincere Christians, to whom he has been made the instrument of conveying spiritual freedom and inestimable blessings. This peo ty-third Psalm: when she had read it, he said, "I am going to die. Pray for me." He charged her to take good care of Mr. During's little girl, and to desire the society to send a good minister to Regent's Town as quickly as possible, or the people has a peculiar claim on the affectionple would be left in darkness; but added, "If I am not able to go back, you must tell David Noah to do his duty: for if Noah say, 'Because massa dead I can do nothing,' he must pray, and God will help him, and so we shall meet in heaven." His last intelligible words were—“ I cannot live! God calls me, and I shall go to Him this night!" Thus died this eminent instrument of the divine goodness to many hundreds of the once most degraded and wretched sons and daughters of Africa! His last thoughts were given, as we see, to his beloved charge at Regent's Town. He had addressed a letter to them after his embarkation. The effect of this letter and the state of the people will be seen from an extract of a communication from Mr. Norman, dated on the 2d of May, addressed to Mr. Johnson, and sent after him to England "The people behave well, and attend the means of grace as usual. "Some had prophesied, that as soon as you left us, the people would not be kept in order; but I rejoice in being certain, that it is those principles of our holy religion, which you have endeavoured to inculcate, that keeps thein or derly and quiet: yes, it is that grace of God which bringeth salvation, and which teaches your beloved people to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and enables them to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this wicked world. "I read part of your letter on Saturday evening; and, in particular, that part which related to the children. Your people were much affected: and I am happy to add, that ate sympathy and earnest prayers of all who wish well to the cause of Christ among the Heathen, and especially in Africa. May the Great Head of the church preserve them in the truth, and in godly simplicity and mutual love-keep them from the wiles of the enemy-and provide them with a minister who shall win their hearts and establish them in the faith, by following the affectionate and scriptural course of their now glorified pastor! Rev. Henry Palmer. In recommending Mr. Palmer to government for the second chaplaincy of the colony, the committee hoped that the experience which he had had of various climates, during an active service of some years in the army, would have prepared him successfully to encounter that of Sierra Leone: and in this they would probably not have been disappointed; but the fatal fever which broke out, and which seems to have had no affinity with the usual fever of the climate, cut short a life which promised to be most valuble to the colony-Mr. Palmer being taken off in less than two months after his landing on the 20th of March. His afflicted widow writes "He died, trusting in that blood which cleanseth from all sin. Oh, how has he laboured for his Lord since he came to this land of darkness! and now he has entered into rest. At Regent's Town, where he died-that blessed, highly blessed place-he is buried. In the true spirit of Missionaries, neither the dying Christian nor his mourning wife repented of going to Africa. Some extracts of a letter, written by Mr. Palmer a few days after his landing, will be read with peculiar interest "I was sorry to find, on our arrival, that the Governor had not returned from Cape Coast. Mr. Flood received us with the utmost hospitality. He has determined to return to England, previous to the rains; I trust that renewed health, vouchsafed to him and Mrs. Flood, will enable them to return to this sphere of labour. On Sunday last I read Prayers for Mr. Flood, and addressed a Black Congregation in the evening, at the Camp: Mrs. Palmer and I were highly pleased with their attention." On the 31st of March, he writes "On Tuesday, the 25th, I attended the quarterly meeting of your Missionaries and Schoolmasters at Gloucester. I was much pleased with the position of the town, and was more gratified than I can now express. The becoming demeanor and laudable occupations of the inhabitants were visible on every side. As I stood alone, and surveyed Gloucester, although my mind had been much harassed by reflection on the peculiar difficulties of a Missionary, I could not but regard the work before me as one that was truly worthy of your undertaking, and of the most noble effort of men. "So far as I have already seen, I have been highly gratified. I am sure that the most prejudiced, however they might deny the expediency and sufficiency of those principles upon which you have acted to produce such effects, could not but allow, that a great civil and moral revolution has been wrought in the inhabitants of Sierra Leone. "I will not say much about health. We trust, that whatever portion is granted to us, with it will be given grace sufficient for the day. What mountains of difficulty rise before our natural vision! But, if Hannibal, who swore eternal war against Rome, smoothed a passage through the Alps, how much more may the Christian, on his triumphant march, with a holy unction from above, level all impediments! The rainy season may close our short career. But we commit all to infinite love and infinite wisdom!" Mr. Norman, on the 2d of May, writes, in reference to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer "Mrs. Palmer continues with us at present. She is quite well, and in excellent spirits: we find her a most agreeable friend Mr. Palmer is generally in Freetown, as Mr. Flood is getting ready for his voyage. Mr. Palmer is going to have an afternoon Service in the Girl's School in Freetown, chiefly for the coloured people. I am happy to say that his conduct and conversation are just such as you would desire; and I do hope that God will spare him, and make him an instrument of much good." But how soon was the prospect changed! Mr. During writes, on the 14th of May, in relation to Mr. Palmer "The black vomit came on the night previous to his death. He came into the mountains in the evening of Sunday the 4th instant, and with the greatest difficulty had reached Regent during the time of the Evening Service; but though I was there keeping Service, I did not see him, as he had gone to bed quite exhausted. "We expected much from Mr. Palmer: but so it must be, that when we look more to the means than to the Lord, we must be disappointed," Rev. Samuel Flood. It was thought advisable that Mr. and Mrs, Flood, after a residence of more than three years in the colony, should return home for a few months, particularly as Mrs. Flood's health was in a very precarious state. Mr. Flood accordingly obtained leave of absence; and they embarked on Saturday, the 3d of May. Mr. Flood was indisposed at the time of his embarking. He had been attacked with fever on the preceding day, but it was hoped that the sea air would restore him. This hope was, however, not to be realized. The time of his departure was at hand. We shall copy Mrs. Flood's account of the closing scene "As soon as we got on board, my husband was obliged to go to bed. The next day, Sunday, I thought him somewhat better, though the fever was not abated. He did not complain of any pain, nor do I think that he ap prehended any danger till Monday morning, when I heard him giving directions to a young man whom we brought with us, respecting some things which he wished him to attend to in case of his death. I immediately said to him, I am afraid you apprehend some danger,' and expressed my hope that he would tell me what he thought of himself. He said, "It is impossible to say how the fever may terminate; but I think this sickness is unto death,' and added, that I must prepare for the worst and hope for the best. He endeavoured to console me with many precious promises, and said, ' I am assured that the Lord will not forsake you,' reminding me of His goodness to us during the last three years He said, ' know if the Lord is about to take me, it will be for my good and His own glory. Forget not to pray for me: perhaps the Lord may hear prayer, and add a few years to my life.' 'I "On Tuesday morning, between one and two o'clock, he was seized with hiccough, which is a presage of death. I requested, therefore, to be taken to him, as I was anxious to know the state of his mind in the prospect of his departure. I asked him how he felt himself: he said, 'I know I am going.' then asked, 'Are you happy?' he answered, At times my sins, both of omission and commission, distress me; but, I trust, that, through the merits of my Saviour, all will be well ' Seeing me much affected, he desired me not to weep, and said that the Lord would be iny Husband, and that we should be separated but for a short time. He then took my hands between his own, (which were as cold as death,) and prayed most affectionately and fervently that the Lord would support me, and be with me in all my trials. His faith appeared strong in the promises, particularly those which are applicable to the widow. After praying that the Lord would be with him, and conduct him safely through the dark valley of the shadow of death, he took a final leave of me "For several hours after, he was somewhat delirious. All that he said referred to the people among whom he had laboured, and was expressive of earnest desires for their salvation. "He died about half-past six on Tuesday morning, the 6th of May, three days after we went on board." We subjoin some extracts from Mr. Flood's letters, which display his views and feelings with reference to his sacred office. In May, 1822, he wrote "So much devolves upon me, that, at times, I feel discouraged, and were it not for the goodness of Jehovah, who has again and again lifted up the hands that hung down, and strengthened the feeble knees, I must have fainted; but, blessed be his holy name! He hath hitherto helped me; and on Him He hath caused me to put my trust for future aid. "Freetown is so rapidly increasing, in extent and population, that it would now supply more than sufficient employment for four missionaries and two chaplains. "Oh pray for me! pray that more wisdom and more grace may be given me, to make full proof of my ministry, to be truly useful in my day and generation, and to choose rather to suffer with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.' In the prospect of his return, he writes on the 18th of March last "I can truly say, that no inducement would draw us from this place if we supposed that we should therein be acting contrary to the will of our Heavenly Father He has caused His goodness so to abound toward us, that it would be the height of ingratitude in us to do any thing, or to act in any way concerning ourselves, that would displease Him. We do love Him, we trust, and therefore we study conformity to His will Permit us, then, to solicit, at this time, a special interest in your prayers." On the 2d of April he adds "Our long-expected coadjutor has now safely arrived. On the 21st ult. I had the pleasure of meeting both Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, on board the Owen Glendower, quite well. They accompanied me on shore, and remained at our house till the evening of the 28th, when they went into, the house prepared for their reception. They seem quite pleased with the place, and are very desirous of being useful. I trust that they will both be pared to be abundantly so, and to see the pleasure of the Lord prospering in their hands. I feel thankful, I trust, to Almighty God for having, in His good Providence, directed hither persons so truly devoted to His service, and so adequate to the situation which He has called them to fill. We hope that their bodies will be prepared to meet every shock of the climate, and that their minds will be kept, through the influences of the Blessed Spirit, stayed upon God." No narrative, perhaps, ever more ́loud"In the midst of life we ly proclaimed are in death!" The colony has thus been deprived of both its chaplains, and the Mission of two promising labourers, and of one of its most tried and devoted friends. Who may yet survive, and what may be the condition of the survivors, we must wait, in patience and submission, to hear. We heartily concur, in the mean while, in the sentiments of the many friends who have expressed their affectionate sympathy with the society and its sufferers. We shall quote one of these communications, which has just reached us "My heart is bowed down by the heavy intelligence from Sierra Leone. May the Lord sustain your faith, and give you courage to go forward! May multitudes press forward to fill up our thinned ranks! I weep not for the dead, but for the living. May the Great Shepherd look mercifully on them and on you!" Faith and courage of the survivors. It is highly encouraging to find that He, who knoweth whereof we are made, and remembrreth that we are but dust, mercifully answers such desires as those which we have just quoted, and inspires His servants with faith and courage needful for their day. Mr. Nyländer, after stating the sickness and deaths which had occurred, and in the noble spirit of a Christian warrior, whose heroism is mainly seen in enduring a great fight of afflictions— "Let this be enough of our distress and trouble. "I was asked if I should not like to go to Europe at this time of distress. Africa is my station, and I shall not move an inch to escape death. There cannot be a more honourable death than that of the late Rev. Mr Palmer. Had he died in the battle of Waterloo, when he fought there, he would have died as a brave soldier, in the service of his king and country, and his death would have been counted honourable; but here he died in the battle which he had begun to fight in the service of the King of all kings and Lord of all lords, and nothing less than a crown of eternal glo. ry, which fadeth not away, is his reward. "Let none of our friends be discouraged at the distressing news which I am obliged to tell you. As long as the Lord Jehovah reigns, send missionaries, send chaplains-men sincerely devoted to the service of God. They must have nothing in view in Africa but the glory of God and the salvation of souls purchased with Jesus's blood; and then all will be well. "May the Lord teach us to number our days, and enable us to apply our hearts unto wisdom! and may He give you grace not to be weary in sending out labourers into the vacancies of Africa. Continue to pray for us." One of the Widows writes "He, who cannot err, whose love to His people never can fail, has seen fit to take my beloved husband to Himself. And can I reply against God? I cannot-I will not. It is well-The hour was come, and His name was glorified. Oh may I still glorify my God! convinced that this is one of those ALL things that shall work together for good. God is a very present help in trouble. Such have I found Him; and, as His promises are sure, such shall I find Him." In a subsequent letter, this Christian woman adds "It is a trying time. Happy are they who know the Lord-who are depending simply for acceptance on the blood of Jesus. As long as his word is sure, they are safe. "Much as I have suffered here, I would joyfully remain, could I see it to be right to do so. The schools are most interesting; they were my husband's delight. "When we reflect on the sufferings of our Great Head, how light is our affliction! And, after all, though this may truly be styled the Land of Death, it is a Land of Blessedness. In many places the pure gospel of Christ is preached. "Oh, if you could see the villages here, you would indeed bless the God that worketh wonders. The morning we rode to Regent we were quite overcome. The romantic little Gloucester delighted us, but the happy, happy Regent led us to the foot of the Cross! We could only say to each other, What hath GOD wrought!' It is, indeed, a highly-favoured spot. Some happy moments have I spent there, and my flesh would say unhap py moments too: but no! the will of God must not cause me unhappiness! 6 "Offer my christian love to the missionary indeed, Mr. Johnson." Mr. Düring, in reference to the loss of lives, writes on the 14th of May "The seventh chapter of Judges is very applicable to the present state of this mission, and has much engaged my mind. In Freetown the mortality is still great: the deaths are by the Yellow Fever; but it is pretty well ascertained that it is not infectious. We have been troubled on every side, yet not distressed -perplexed, but not in despair." Miscellany. UNITED FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The Managers of the United Foreign Missionary Society are in want of a minister of the gospel to take the charge of their Missionary Church and congregation at Tuscarora. The charge of the Tuscarora school will also devolve on the minister. They are also in want of a teacher: a married man would be preferred, competent to take the charge of the school at Seneca, under the general superintendence of the Rev. Mr. Harris, the Missionary at that station. man in this case would be preferred, to aid Mr. Thayer in the school at Cataraugus. They are still in want of a farmer for Union, and a blacksmith for Harmony. Both should be married men, as female assistance is wanted at each station. Applicants for either station must be in communion with some Christian Church: well skilled in their respective occupations. and able to furnish satisfactory recommendations. Application may be made to Z. LEWIS, Domestic Secretary and Treasurer of the United Foreign Missionary So They are likewise in want of a teacher: a single ciety, New-York. |