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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0100 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
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Maryland State Archives Maryland Colonization Journal Collection MSA SC 4303 msa_sc4303_scm11070-0100 Enlarge and print image (5M) |
| (From the London Christian Observer) The Vaudois Missionary. An old Popish writer, (see Reinerus Saccho's book. a. d. 1258) complains that "the manner in which the Waldeneses and heretics disseminated their principles among the Catholic gentry, was by carrying with them a box of trinkets, or arti- cles of dress. Having entered the house of a family of the gentry, and disposed of some of their goods, they intimated that they had commo- dities far more valuable than these—inestimable jewels which they would shew if they could be sure of protection. They would then give their purchasers a Bible or Testament, and thereby inanv were deluded into heresy.' The following graceful stanzas are the poetical version of Rei- nerus Saccho's statement, touching the manner in which many of the faithful were deluded into the Protestant heresy. Oh ! lady fair, these silks of mine. Are beautiful and rare— And these pearls are pure, and mild to behold, And with radiant light they vie ; I have brought them with mc a weary way, Will my gentle lady buy? And the lady smiled on the worn old man, Through the dark and clustering curls Which veiled her brow as she bent to view Mis silks and glittering pearls ; And she placed their price m the old man's hand, And li:litlv turned away ; But she paused at the wanderer's earnest call— 'My gentle lady, stay '¦' 'Oh ! lady fair, I have yet a gem, Which | purer lustre flings, Than the diamond flash of the jewelled crown On the lofty head of kings : A wonderful pearl of exceeding price, Whose virtue shall not decay J Whose hjrht shall be as a spell to thee, And a blessing on thy way! The lady elanccd at the mirroring steel, Whore her youthful form was seen, Where her eyes shone clear, and her dark locks waved Their clasping pearls between : 'Brine forth thy pearl of exceeding worth, Thon traveller cray and old, And name the price of thy precious gem, And my pages shall count thy gold.* The cloud went off from the piljrim's brow, As a small and meagre book, t'nrliased with gold or diamond gem, From his foluing robe he took ;— 'Here, lady fur, is the pearl of price— May it prove as such to thee ! Nay—keep thy gold, I ask it not— For the word of God is free " The hoary traveller went his way— But the gift he left behind Hath had iis pure and perfect work ()u that high-born maiden's mind ; And she hath turned from her pride of tin To the lowliness of truth, And given her human heart to God In its beauteous hour of youth. And she hath left the old gray halls Where an evil faith had power, The courtly knights of her father's train, Am! the maidens of her bower; And she hath gone to the Vaudois vale, By lordly feet untrod, Where the poor and needy of earth are rich In the perfect love of God ! MARYLAND COLONIZATION JOURNAL. (From the Spirit of Missions.) AFRICA. EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF REV. DR. SAVAGE. March 5. 1838.—Death of 'Seah.'—Last night about 2 o'clock, all were awakened by the rt- psated discharge of numerous guns at the Cape Town. This proved to be on account of the death of Seah, one ol the principal head-men. He was spoken of as the successor to Freeman, the pre- sent king. This firing has continued throughout the day. This is customary on the death of a 'great linn.' Went into town to witness his fune- ral. This is the first native interment, all the ceremonies of which, I have witnessed. They w ere as follows: Just before arriving at the town, I met three natives going for the collin. This is a change in their custom. Formerly they put the body into a canoe, and left it on the surface of the ground. This is the third who has been buried in a cotfin. As I entered the town, noises from drums, firing, mourning, and crying of the wives of the deceased were deafening. I proceeded to the house of the deceased, in front of which were assembled hun- dreds of women and children. Upon a rude bed- stead lay the corpse in a state of almost perfect nudity. In his life-time he had been a warrior. At his head, on the left, stood fixed in the ground two spi ars, and a woman by them, holding up to the view of the multitude, leopard, monkey, and other skins, which he had taken in the chase, and some in war. On the right was his standard, the flag of which, composed of dark blue cotton cloth in DM body, white cotton for the border, having a cross of red Bannel in the centre, and a long tail of the same material, waved over his head. By his head sat his chief wife, with a bandana handker- chief, which she waved to and fro to keep orf the flies, accompanying each stroke with a correspond- in,' motion of the head and body, while she poured forth her lamentations loud and long. At the other exti inity sat two other wives, holding each a foot in their hands, accompanied by contortions of their bodies, recounting the good qualities of the deceased, and mourning over their loss. Alone the side were arranged the rest of his wives, all of whom (eight in the whole,) manifested by their uncouth movements and piteous exclamations, great sorrow at their bereavement. At a short distance on one side sat six or eight musicians, with instruments of hollow wood, and dried skins drawn tensely over one end ; upon these as drums, they incessantly played, which, together with their war-horns, the mourning and crying of the women, the firing of guns, made up a scene unique beyond conception. Amidst this confusion, approached a women with an earthen vessel, containing a light coloured fluid. Dipping her hand into it, with the utmost solemnity, she spread it gradually over the face, and then the body. This, as it became dry, ap- peared like chalk, and gave to the corpse a hideous aspect. Next came two men, brothers of the deceased, with long strips of cloth, (calico, ging- hams, &c.) which were spread successively over the body. This was to show the number and variety of his robes ; in other words, that be was rich, consequently a great man. Then came his ornaments, such as strings ol beads of various colours and sizes, strings of leopards' teeth, which in numbers, are a sign of wealth. These were laid upon and about his head, and his snuff-box by his side. Things being thus arranged, the body lay in state. In another direction, in the centre of a little space or court-yard, around which are built the houses of the deceased, lay a heap of broken wooden bowls, crockery, &c. ready for the inter- ment. These are considered money and orna- ments ; and the highest ambition of all who aspire to wealth and influence, is to have the inside of their houses hung with them in great numbers. Around this space, or little yard, were arranged six or eight grave, patriarchal looking men, having red woollen caps, long grey boards, and in their hands long and highly polished canes. These were the fathers ol his wives. To their view and to that of the spectators, was opened an old leather trunk, filled with his treasures. From this was drawn, piece after piece, calicoes, checks, and ginghams, in further display of the dead man's wealth. Two or three hours were thus spent in exhibit- ing strips of calico, crockery, &c, to impress the surrounding multitude with a lolly idea of his rank and riches. The coffin was then brought forward, made in the usual manner, with rough pine boards. The body was deposited therein, amidst the tiring of guns, and terrific sounds of their drums and war horns, and the wailings of hundreds of females. Upon and around the sides were packed the cloths before exhibited. The lid was then nailed down, and the coffin covered with blue cotton, striped over with white in figures of a diamond shape. This done, a bullock was produced and slaughter- ed by the head of the coffin ; the blood caught in a bowl was poured upon other cloths and crockery deposited in chests ; a kid was likewise killed, and two fowls and rice prepared with palm oil, for the dead. At last came a moment of comparative silence ; and soon after, by the confused movement of the multitude in an opposite direction, the chief of the tribe Was perceived to be approaching to bid the final adieu to the remains. He wore a white silk hat and a piece of gingham around the waist; in this simple dress he proceeded to the head of the coffin, and leaning over it, resting upon his staff, spoke about five minutes to the corpse; no one could or would tell me what he said. Having finished, he retired to his house. Then stepped forward a man of striking appearance, and ad- dressed the crowd with great energy. This it seems was the 'soldier-king, or commander of the military,' issuing the order? of the subsequent exercises. The soldiers were to proceed to the front of the agent's house upon the Cape, and there to fire a salute in honour of the dead. At this moment the coffin was placed upon the heads of two strong men, one at the loot and the other at the head, who immediately proceeded, at a rapid pace, through the winding streets of the town, till they came in front of the king's house. There they stopped and refused to go farther. Such movements are common in all funeral processions. The corpse at such times is unwilling to go, say they; the devil stand in the way. After niucli turning and pulling and shoving, by the bearers, this evil was overcome, when they proceeded with still greater rapidity, amidst the discharge of guns, to the agency house, as ordered by the 'soldier- king.' Now commenced their salute, which con- tinued an irregular and dangerous firing, or lather exploding of guns, for fifteen minutes. This done the procession moved on to the water's edge, in the same confused manner as before. The coffin was set down upon the beach, and further cere- monies performed, preparatory to a farewell from the wives of the deceased, and a passage over to a neighbouring island their place of interment. Now were renewed the horrible wailings of the women ; some of whom threw themselves upon the coffin, others danced around it, tossing their arms in the air, while others again rolled over and over upon the sand, beating and tormenting themselves in various ways, betokening their grief. At last the time arrived for transporting the chests, containing the goods and articles to be buried with the body. These were carried first to the island, arid placed upon the beach under (he flying llag, which had been furled in crossing over. Then came the coffin, accompanied only by the number just necessary for performing the burial. The proces- sion was again formed, and now advanced in greater order. The individuals bearing a quarter of the slaughtered bullock, the goat, fowls, and the rice, led the way. Then followed the standard bearer immediately preceding the body, and others carrying the chests of cloths and crockery. Wind- ing their way between rocks and bushes, they proceeded slowly to the place of burial ; the whole of the route being previously sprinkled with rice, by the way of appeasing and conciliating the fa- vour of the devil. At last they stopped in about the centre of the island, where, digging a shallow grave, they deposited the body. Upon it they threw the crockery, 8ic. previously broken into a thousand pieces; and around the grave they strewed the cloths, calicoes, and ginghams, torn and mutilated in like manner. Upon a rock, and near the place, were left the meat and rice, the latter being scattered in every direction. Thus closed the burial of a 'great man' of the Greybo tribe, in Africa. In witnessing this scene I was never more deeply impressed with their degiadation. It seems to be nothing more than a vain desire of empty show, and allectation of wealth. But little or no sorrow, in my view, characterized their doings, and throughout the whole I could think of nothing else but 'devils and lost spirits.' When I thought of the usual conse- quences of death among this people, the charges of witchcraft, and the punishment of many inno- cent beings, by poison, sudnc.-s and sorrow 'gat hold upon me,' and I could but wonder at the delay of the 'wrath of God against such ungodli- ness, and unrighteousness of men.' I have often tried to get at their real object in burying cloth with the dead, and in depositing meat and rice near thein ; but in general the only answer obtained has been, 'that be country fash,' 'white man hab him lash, and dis be country tash.' On this occasion, however, I was informed by one of the principal and most intelligent men, that it was lor the use of the deceased. 1 asked him if he supposed a dead man capable of eating food, 'No! no!' with quick reply, 'but spose he die and we no give him money, that time he come to t'other place, (the land of spirits,) when they look him, and he no hab money, den they say, 'ugh !' he be poor fellow, and no let him in; so they make palaver for him. 'Sposc he hab plenty thing, den they take him in, and he be great man among em,' ami they do him good fash.' This seems to be about all the idea they have of a futurity. They believe after a man dies, his soul appears again in this world, after a short time, in the body of an infant, who again in turn re-nppears in the form of another, and so on eter- nally. Human existence thus becomes a circle, an unceasing round of life and death, so to speak, while no accountability, no judgment, enters into the view. 'Scab' had been my patient, and had long been labouring under a very bad rough, and died by consumption. He had lost all faith in 'country doctors,' and during his last illness, requested to be carried out to the mission, to evade their cruel treatment, and disgusting nostrums. Their influ- ence however was too great, and prevented this. The night before his death, he declared to the by- standers, that his death was not occasioned by witchcraft and forbade the administration of any red water on his account. This is a case exhibit- ing the influence of the missionary. The views of this man had been so far changed as to save the lives of many others through this single request. Have we not encouragement to believe that our influence will go further? May we not hope that our efforts will result in the salvation of souls ? (From the Christian Advocate.) The Liberia Mission. We noticed last week the doings of a missionary meeting, which was held preparatory to the depar- ture of the missionaries for Africa. We had not then room for the reflections the occasion suggested in reference to the African mission, and its proba- ble bearings upon the vast heathen population scattered along the western coast of that great continent. Of all people entitled to the consideration and sympathy of enlightened christians, none present stronger and more moving claims than these native Africans. By all authentic accounts respecting their character and condition, they are represented, to use the strong language of the apostle Paul, as 'having no hope, and without God in the world.' so wretched have they been for centuries, so de- plorably ignorant, degraded, and destitute of every redeeming quality or element, that their condition has presented the most gloomy and appalling aspect to the benevolent of all christian countries. And yet circumstances have always opposed an insu- perable barrier against the introduction of the institutions of religion and civilization amongst them, to promise ultimate success, in meliorating their condition, until colonies began to be planted upon the coast for such free people of colour as might choose to emigrate thither, and the friends of missions seized the advantage they presented to furnish them with the benefits of the gospel, and the means of education. Simultaneously with the progress of the colonists, the missionary operations have steadily been carried forward, until now there are flourishing religious and educational establish- ments under the care of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian and the Baptist churches, and the Protestant Episcopal Church. These four leading Protestant denominations have thus enter- ed that dreary, and heretofore unpromising field of missionary culture, and they are constantly strengthening their forces. Of our own mission there, it may be said, few under the care of the church have been so success- ful, or at this moment piesent such encouraging prospects. Under the most disheartening circum- stances the first missionaries went out. Some fell in the field ; others returned, unable longer to endure their toil and labour. But there were others found ready to fly to the rescue, willing, in the spirit of true disciples of Christ, to sacrifice their all, even their own lives, in a work of such moment. But God has wonderfully shielded them; and though they have gone 'forth weeping, bearing precious seed,' they seemed destined to be among those honoured labourers, who shall 'return with joy, bringing their sheaves with them.' Already is there, on the western coast of Africa, a conference of ministers of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. The number of the travelling preachers in America, if we aie correct, was less than that of the Liberia mission conlerence, during the same period of time after the arrival of the first missionaries in each place severally. It is to be borne in mind, however, that many of the colonists, perhaps most of them, had their religious affinities formed before going to Africa, and were prepared to unite with some of the chiis- ti.in churches at the first opportunity; and some, especially in our own church, went there regularly licensed as preachers, who have since given them- selves whollj to the work, under the direction of the conference and superintendent. But as we are most concerned for the salvation of the natives, the matter of sober inquiry is, how all this is likely to altect their condition. Though whatever is future in human calculation is always problematical, to faras it is possible to judge from past success and present prospects, there is scarcely a missionary field, in the whole world, having been occupied lor only so short a time, which promises a richer reward for the amount of labour required to be bestowed upon it. We need not detain the reader to multiply the reasons in support of this opinion. Besides the extent to which the cause has already succeeded—the establishment of churches, schools, and printing presses—the per- severing efforts of a number of faithful preachers, aheady in the field, and acting harmoniously under a legular ecclesiastical organization—the condition ol the surrounding tribes is such as to render them peculiarly fitted lor the reception of the gospel, and the benefits it imparts. They have no estab- lished creeds or opinions to defend—no platforms, formularies, systems of philosophy, or any thing else which characterizes more civilized and polish- ed communities—on which to unite and anay themselves against the instructions of the mis- sionaries and teachers sent among them. They are sensible of their ignorance and degra- dation, and with a docility rarely witnessed among any others ir dillerent circumstances, they seek instruction, and are thankful for it. Their confi- dence in the missionaries and teachers is growing stronger every day, as they become better ac- quainted with their benevolent designs, and the adaptation of the institutions of the gospel and civilization to meliorate their condition.—Hence the prevailing desire of the head-men of the tribes is, as we are assured, to know the white man's book, and to be made acquainted with the arts of civilization, which they seem to think inseparable from the institutions of Christianity. And with the head-men, their people are influenced by the same desire. These things are highly favourable to the introduction of the gospel among them. Numbers of the natives have been converted, and added to the church. Some of these are in the schools, in a state of training for future usefulness. And when it shall please God to raise up native preachers among them, and pious interpreters fo accompany the missionaries into the interior, what may not be expected as the result of their com- bined labours? But it was not our design to dwell at this time upon the prospects of this mission. We believe all who have directed their attention to this sub- ject with any degree of candour and impartiality must be satisfied that, upon the success of the colonization and missionary cause in Western Africa, acting conjointly anil in unison, depends the only hope for the natives on that coast. Ex- tinguish the light which they are beginning to shed upon that benighted region, and darkness, gross darkness, again covers that wretched race, whose degradation and miseries have extorted a thousand agonizing groans from the humane and philan- thropic of all christian lands. If might he expected that all who feel for suffering humanity—especially all christians, who know and appreciate the influ- ence of the gospel in restoring degraded man to the favour of Ood, and elevating him in the scale of human happiness—would rejoice to see this reme- dial process—this efficient element of regenera- tion—introduced into Africa, under circumstances so propitious and promising. This, we say, it was reasonable fo expect. But what are the facts in the case ? This enterprise has. on the contrary, met with violent and almost continual opposition, ever since ifs prosperity became apparent, from those who have professed great sympathy for the African race ! It is not our object to trace in detail the history of this opposition. Our princi- pal design in adverting to it, is to say, that we cannot comprehend the motives and designs of it, nor yet reconcile it with any just pretensions to christian philanthropy. Witness only one or two instances : An anony- mous letter, written probably by some disaffected white man, of whose character and motives we can know nothing but by conjecture, saw fit to publish a series of statements calculated to excite prejudice against the colonies, the character of the emigrants, and the institutions established there through the efforts of benevolence. This commu- nication was seized as a valuable document, and circulated with an assiduity equalled only by the known zeal of those engaged in it. At a public meeting called in behalf of the colonization cause, circulars containing this irresponsible communi- cation were liberally scattered among the people who attended, and even pressed upon them at the door as they were entering the house. More recently, another circular nas made its appearance, in the form of a letter to Mr. L. Tappan, and published by him. It is signed by one Louis Sheridan, who has been a short time in Africa, and is written in a style and manner which will satisfy every unbiassed reader that it is any thing but a candid representation of the true state of affairs in the colonies, several of which it would seem he has never seen. It is not our purpose to express even a conjecture as to the combination of circumstances which brought that strange and self-refuted production into the hands of the pub- lisher, nor of the statements and allusions it con- tains, for which the writer and publishers must be accountable themselves. Time will develope these things. But what motives could induce its publi- cation and circulation throughout the country is a matter which justifies a rigid inquiry. The whole bearing of this communication is, to excite a spirit of disaffection against the colonies, and every thing that is doing in Western Africa for the benefit of the unhappy race who inhabit the coast. Let what it appears designed to effect come to pass— let all be realized which the publishers of that document seems to desire by their industrious circulation of it—and what must be the conse- quence I Plainly this—Africa left in all that hopeless wretchedness which has characterized its condition for centuries past! Is this benevolent? But does it not accord with the entire system of opposition steadily pursued against the colonies, and the benevolent iustilutions which depend upon their prosperity for success ? Why this opposi- tion ? Why are the discouraging incidents com- mon to all benevolent enterprises, when they occur in connection with this, seized and circu- lated with an air of triumph ? This we expect from sceptics and scoffers. But in what light are we to view it from professed christians and philan- thropists ? We confess we cannot understand it, and never could. It would seem that the suffer- ings and even the calamities, of brethren in this field, are matters of rejoicing to those who, in all reason, should sympathize with them and hold up their hands. Nay, more, who has not seen what approached to ridiculing them on account of their privations and sufferings, and mocking Iheir feel- ings of benevolence ?—But the worst feature in all this business is, the use which is made of irn spon- sible accounts respecting the state of allaiis in Western Africa. Such communications as we have noticed above are put into circulation for the purpose of instructing the people on this subject. But the statements of men who have character to sustain them—men whose veracity and intelli- gence must give credit and weight to what they say—arc neglected or discarded. Accounts of the state of the colonies, and the prospects of the missions in them, from such men as Pinney, Skin- ner, Buchanan, Matthias, Soys, Chase, Brown, Goheen, and many others who might be named, it seems are not to be respected. And why? Be- cause they are calculated to encourage effort in the benevolent enterprise of endeavouring to intro- duce the gospel and civilization into Africa? So it would seem. And what—we would ask—what benefit do men propose to themselves or others, in opposing this work of benevolence ? It is possible they may hinder and even defeat it. But what satis- faction can they hope to derive from foing instru- mental in procuring such a result ? We have stated that all the authentic information we have respecting the success of the mission in Liberia is highly encouraging. There is reason fo hope that the time to favour Africa has come—the set time. And we earnestly entreat all the friends of the missionary cause—the benevolent of every chris- tian name—not to be diverted from their labours of love, in endeavouring to promote the system of operations which Providence seems to have de- signed for this purpose, by any contravening influ- ence whatever. God has given his sanction to the mission in Africa, and it belongs to his people to do their part in sustaining it. PRINTED BY JOHN D. TOY, CORNER OF MARKET AND ST. PAUL STREETS. Who executes Book and Job Printing with neatness and accuracy. 104 |