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where fhe took in a freight for Eng-"Judge not the Lord by feeble fenfe, land, and arrived in the Downs July 7, 1798.

Never," as the Directors remark, in their report, 66 was an undertaking more completely accomplished. After a voyage of more than 51,000 miles, the hip returned without the least material lofs or damage. Every where the natives received the Miffionaries with delight. Those of them who made choice of Tongataboo, feparated in small parties, and went to refide among different chiefs, who being acquainted with their intentions, promised them protection, encouragement and support. Thofe who fixed on Otaheite were incorporated into one body; the moft fertile and beautiful diftrict in the Ifland was given them to fupply their wants, and all its inhabitants for their fubjects. On this fpot they immediately erected workshops and inftituted fchools.Some of the natives fent their children for inftruction. The Miffionaries have frequent opportunities to converfe with them on the most im

-

portant fubjects, and it is hoped their difcourfes and example will not be in

vain."

Immediately after the return of the Duff, it was determined by the Di

rectors that the fhould be fitted out again as foon as poffible, to visit the Miffionaries in the South Sea Iflands, and to carry a further number to be fettled at the fame places, or on other Ilands, as circumftances fhould point out to be most proper. In December 1798, the fhip failed with about 40 Miffionaries on board, and a valuable cargo of prefents for the natives, and of materials for establishing colonies and introducing the arts of civilized

life.

Thus far divine Providence appeared to fmile upon the efforts of the Society, and to manifeft, by peculiar interpofitions, his propitious regards to them. But he is a fovereign God, and takes his own ways to accomplish his purposes. He maketh darkness his pavilion and often by apparent frowns upon his people designs the greatest bleffings for them.

"God moves in a myfterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the fea,
And rides upon the ftorm.
VOL. I. No. 1.

B

But truft him for his grace;
Behind a frowning Providence,
He hides a fmiling face."

Having arrived within twelve leagues
of the harbor of Rio Janeiro in South
America, the fhip Duff was captured
by a French privateer named the Bu-
The Mif-
onaparte from Bourdeaux.
fionaries were treated with great kind-
nefs by the French commander, and
their fituation was rendered as agree-
able as that of prisoners poffibly could
be. They were carried into a Span-
ifh port in South America, where the.
fhip was condemned, and the men lib-
erated. Captain Robson the command-
er of the Duff purchased a small vef-
fel, with a view of proceeding on the
Voyage according to the original inten-
tion of the Directors, but foon after
he failed he was taken by the convoy

of the Brazil Fleet to Lisbon, where he arrived after a fhort paffage, and foon after reached England with all the

Miffionaries.

The following remarks published by order of the Directors when intelligence of the capture of the Duff first reached England, will fhow their feelings on the fubject, and in what light all good people should view this difpenfation.

"This providential event is, at prefit claims the exercife of faith and fubent, involved in mysterious obfcurity. miffion, it calls alfo for the spirit of deep humiliation we are, however, perfectly fatisfied that it is the effect of a wife and gracious fovereignty, and are principally folicitous that it may have a falutary influence upon our minds. The beft improvement that we are capable of deriving from it is to quicken our languid zeal, to renew and invigorate our feeble exertions, and to perfevere with unwearied and increafing ardor in the facred

caufe. Our faith and fubmiflion may be exercifed, but it is no doubtful question with us, whether this work is divine or not: we fee abundant ground for renewed vigilance, but none for relaxation and defpondence; and we feel ourfelves called upon by imperious circumftances to manifeft the fincerity of our profeffions, and the ftrength of our attachment to this immortal caufe."

No direct information was received

in England respecting the Miffionaries who were established at Otaheite tiil Auguft 1799, when intelligence arrived that they had been obliged to leave the Ifland to escape being murdered, and that they were carried by the fhip Nautilus to Port Jackson in Botany Bay. The cause and circumftances of their removal are detailed in the following extracts from letters written by them after their arrival at Port Jackson.

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Captain Wilfon left us at Otaheite on the 4th of Auguft 1797, to proceed on his voyage. Immediately on his leaving the Ifland we discovered that the natives had concerted a plan to feize on our women and property. We informed them that we were acquainted with their intentions, and took the neceffary precautions to prevent a furprife. We remained in this anxious fituation under continual alarms. On the 6th of March 1798, the ship Nautilus vifited the Ifland and after taking in refreshments proceeded on her voyage. After her departure our fituation became more perilous, and we were every moment under expectation of an affault, when we were again vifited by the Nautilus which was driven back in a violent gale of wind. Soon after fhe came to anchor two of her feamen deferted and fecreted themfelves on fhore. The captain requested us to intreat the King to fend them on board; accordingly a deputation of four brethren waited on him for that purpose. On their arrival at Oparre, the district in which the King refided, they were ftripped naked, one of them dragged through a river and his head beat against the ftones till the blood came out of his ears. They were then feparated and detained; and under the greatest apprehenfion not only of their own lives but for our fafety, as a large party of the natives immediately on their being seized, made off with an intent to attack our fettlement. In the evening feveral hunred natives were feen near our dweling, and we received information of the detention of our brethren; but they were providentially releafed by means of the King's father, and returned home about eight o'clock at night. The news of their arrival was no doubt a mean of preventing the meditated attack. Thus circumftan

ced we held a meeting to confider what means would be moft prudent to adopt; when it was the unanimous opinion of the whole body that it was a call in Providence for the married people to leave the Ifland, as they could not continue there in safety, and take paffage on board the Nautilus for Port Jackfon. We accordingly made known our fituation to the captain and requested a paffage in his veffel, which he readily granted. We failed from Otaheite the 31ft of March 1798, leaving feven unmarried Miffionaries upon the Island, and arrived at Port Jackson May 14th. On our arrival we were favorably received by the Governor, who immediately put us on the public ftore, and gave us every affiftance in his power."

The Miffionaries who remained at Otaheite were fafe and well in September 1798, fix months after their brethren had left them.

By late intelligence from Port Jackfon it appears that the removal of a part of the Miffionaries from Otaheite to that place has been overruled for more abundant good. Their labors and preaching are attended with very encouraging appearances of usefulness. Their congregations are numerous and a

fubfcription has been raised for the erection of one or more places of worship. Should it please God to bless their efforts among the British inhabitants a great door of entrance might from thence be opened to Norfolk Island or other places in its vicin ity, as well as to the native Heathen who now frequent the colony. "Those who have attentively viewed providential difpenfations in the light of the fcriptures, will augur favorably from what has happened; efpecially when they confider that the object is unquestionably agreeable to the divine will, and that the plans of the society have had every proof that could be expected of his approbation. It is at all times incumbent upon us to trust in the Lord, and to believe that every providential event is the effect of a fovereignty which is equally holy, wife and good."

After the first Miffion was dispatched to the South Seas, the Directors, in purfuance of the further intentions of the Society, endeavored to obtain information refpecting Africa, and to procure perfons to carry the glad ti

dings of falvation to that much injured and long neglected quarter of the globe. The country of the Foulahs was deemed the most proper spot for a firft essay in that part of the globe. Its vicinity to the colony of Sierra Leone; the offer of the King of that country to encourage European fettlers, with a view to cultivation; the gentle difpofition of the natives, their knowledge of feveral arts, and their general attention to reading; the fuperior temperature and healthinefs of the climate, compared with that on the fea coaft; the populousness of their towns, and other circumstances afforded a favorable profpect for entering on Miffionary operations. These circumftances induced the Directors to fend two Miffionaries to Africa, in conjunction with others who went from the Miffionary Societies of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Upon their arrival at Sierra Leone, in March 1798, finding that a war had broken out among the Foulahs, it was thought most adviseable to employ thefe Miffionaries in the countries adjacent to Sierra Leone. "The fituation in which they were placed will afford the Miffionaries the opportunity of acquiring the knowledge of feveral different languages, each of which prevails over an extensive territory, and a numerous population, and thus opens a larger fcope for future exertions. The inhabitants of thefe countries are Heathens, whereas the Foulah people are principally Mahometans, whofe pre-object in which they are engaged. They judices against the admiffion of Chriftian teachers would probably have been more difficult to furmount. It may therefore be hoped that he who leads the blind by a way which they know not, has overruled the deftination of these Miffionaries for one of a more extenfive ufefulnefs."

much time with the convicts, praying with them, inftructing them in religion, and endeavouring to impress on their minds a fenfe of the importance of attending to the faivation of the foul. Their labors were attended with a bleffing; and many of the convicts feriously impreffed and some hopefully converted. The fhip, leaving the Miffionaries at the Cape, proceeded to port Jackfon, where the arrived, it is probable, a little more than a year after the arrival of the Miffionaries who went from Otaheite. Thefe Miffionaries, it is hoped, may be the means, under the bleffing of God, of continuing the impreffions made on the minds of the convicts, during their paffage to the Cape. Should this be the cafe a light will be thrown upon that dark difpenfation of, Divine Providence, their removal from Otaheite.

The next place to which the directors turned their attention was the country of the Caffres or Hottentots in Africa. Doctor Vanderkemp, a Dutch divine, offering his fervices to the Directors to go out as a miffionary, he with three others left England at the clofe of the year 1798, and arrived at the Cape of Good Hope in March 1799. On board the fhip which carried them to Africa were three hundred convicts to be tranfported to Botany Bay. During the voyage Doctor Vanderkemp and his affociates fpent

Very favorable accounts have been received from the South African Miffionaries. They were faft proceeding to the countries of the Caffres and the Bofhemen, and there was a great probability of their being favorably received among those nations, and of their being made bleflings to themby communicating to them the knowledge of falvation.

The Society and the Board of Directors are not difcouraged by the dark dealings of the Lord refpecting them. They believe him to be still propitious to them and to the general

are making every poffible exertion to diffufe the gofpel, and if driven from one place are hoping that God will open a door for their admiffion into others.

In confequence of the inftitution of this Society and their zealous and extenfive efforts to propagate the gospel among Heathen nations, an increafing fpirit of piety has pervaded the minds of the friends of Zion not only in Great-Britain but in many other nations in Europe, and Chriftians in America have alío felt their zeal awakened and are animated with a defire of carrying the glad tidings of falvation to the poor Pagans on their borders. Many fmaller Miffionary Societies have been formed in various places in England and Scotland, fome of which may be confidered as branches of the London Society, and others

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AZINE.

T

HE events, which have attended the Christian Miffions to Otaheite, have probably caft a gloom over the minds of fome well-wishers to the caufe. Superficial obfervers of the dealings of God with his people, and men of little faith, will be difcouraged: and the faith and obedience of all are put to proof. It appears to be the defign of providence, to place his people in a fituation, in which they may give a ftriking evidence of their confidence in God, and faithfulness in his fervice; and by which he may lead them, to a more perfect fenfe of their dependence on him, and a more attentive view of his agency in fuch miffions. When the fhip, which conveyed the Miffionaries, returned with the account of their friend. ly reception, our hopes of fuccefs were perhaps founded too much on favorable circumftances, and we thought too little of the fpecial agency of God, to difpofe the Heathen, to give them an attentive hearing. God has now feen fit to recal our hopes from thofe

things, and fix them on himself alone. In this he has dealt with his people in his ufual method. The method is wife, and well adapted to prepare his people to receive his bleffings, and to give all the glory to the Lord.--Thus he dealt with Abraham, to whom he had made great promises. While circumftances were favorable, and the patriarch's hopes were great, and his expectations from them high, he received an order from heaven, to take the heir of the promifes, even Ifaac, his beloved fon, and offer him up a burnt offering to God. This was altogether unexPected. The command was pofitive, and though it wounded every parental feeling, and feemed inconfiftent with the promises, he did not hesitate to obey. The promifes were absolute, and he did not doubt their accomplishment. That the command and promises might not interfere, he faw no way, but by the refurrection of his fon from the dead, though no fuch event had ever taken place in the world. He believed in the power of God, and refted with confidence upon him. He proceeded to the appointed place, laid Ifaac upon the altar, and stretched forth his hand, and took the knife, to execute the command. He was now prepared for rich bleffings; was ordered to forbear, and came forth like gold tried in the fire; and he received an abundant reward.

The apoftles of Christ were dealt with, in a fimilar way. Chrift had made them precious promifes, while he was with them in the fiefh. They expected to fee his kingdom flourish. While their Lord was with them, and admiring crowds flocked round them, and liftened to his instructions, and cried Hofannah to the fon of David, they expected fuccefs from

the promising appearances. But before it came, their obedience and faith were put to the fevereft trial, by the fufferings of Chrift, and the almoft universal clamor against him. This was but a few weeks before the memorable day of Pentecoft, and prepared them to acknowledge, and adore the hand of God, in the wonderful fuccefs, which at that time attended their miniftry. Other fimilar inftances are on record. God prepares his people for the bleffings he defigns them in the fittest manner. He takes measures, to bring his own work into view, as being his own. And he delights to honor his people, by fuch arrangements, as exhibit their obedience and faith.

Relpecing the Miflions, the commands are exprefs. Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gofpel to every creature-Freely ye have received, freely give. The promises are fure. I will be with you always, even unto the end of

the world The earth fhall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord. Duty is plain. The reafons for the command are not diminished, fince the days of the Apoftles; and the promife may not be doubted. The fituation of the British Missions, to the Pacific Ocean, will try the faith and obedience of God's people. If they abide the trial, God will accept the facrifice. If not, we have reafon to expect, that little will be done in our day. Like the Ifraelites from Egypt, we shall die before the promise takes effect.

Should the whole Miffion prove unfuccefsful, as it may, fhall we hesitate to obey the will of God, and exert ourselves to extend the knowledge of his falvation? Shall we doubt the promifes; or give up the caufe as hopeless, while we know that God is on the throne?

where then is our faith and obedience? Let us acknowledge God, and reft upon him.

It is however, by no means certain, but that more than the expectations of the moderate, will be accomplished. God feems to be preparing his people for great things. Thofe now at Otaheite, like the army of Gideon when reduced, are enough. Thofe at New-Holland may be employed.

The Lord reigns. His promifes are fure; and he will not fail to confound his enemies, who now triumph in the difappointments of his people. Tho' they deride the confidence and obedience of the faithful, as they mocked our dying Lord, he will appear for their fupport.-The Lord grant, that his fervants may feize this happy opportunity, to evince their faith and obedience. And if they are confounded in the end, then let it be faid, that they who wait on the Lord Mar be put to fhame.

G.

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