Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-06-27

timore above eight Thousand, and other
cities in proportion. Nor eau We forbear
to mention that within Que of our Presby-
teries the opportunity for the reception OF
religious instruction afforded by these little
nurseries of truth, has been embraced by
many members OF the Romish communion,
who we're prohibited from entering a Pro-
testant place OF worship.
That spirit Of multiform beneyolence
which so emineutly marks the present era
throughout christeDdom has, of late, ad-
dressed its compassionate regard to the
condition of our seamen. Not only have
tracts and bibles been distributed in mum
Der among our shipping. but places OF
worship have been opened in our Atlantic
cities, expressly for the use of sailors and
their families. The result has been graft
tying beyond the most sangnine hope.
Not only have that Too long neglected class
OF men shown themselves sensible OF this
mark OF christian remembrance, and viii
ling TO attend on public ordinances Ia
privilege from which they thought them
selves 10 a great measure excluded by
their dress and appearance,) but they
have listened with deep earnestness TO the
word preached TO them; tears have flowed
over their hardy cheeks, and hearts which
no hardsLips could move, nor storms APP
pal, have been broken and melted nnder
The Gospels gentle voice. The gratitude
aud affection they manifest toward their
rn iio in.tc taaohorc ood tho caficifuda fbex
evince for farther instruction, aud for 40
interest in the prayers Of christian people,
are truly affecting, and pungently rebuke
the lukewarmness and apathy OF those
better taught and more highly favored.
The effect upon their moral habits is inn
mediate aud striking, and has drawn ex-
pressions OF the utmost establishment from
their former employers. The Assembly
would suggest whether these men might
not be made Of essential use in the diffu-
sion of the Scriptures, and the furtherance
of the Missionary cause.
The Missionary spirit is another dis
tiDsuishing characteristic OF the age.
Dissolving the worst rigours of sectarian
bigotry, the spirit Of missions, which is
emphatically the spirit Of heaven, has d.
rected toward the miseries OF perishing
millions, that zeal which had been worse
than wasting itself 10 contests between the
members of Christ. The Assembly wit
messed with exultation the triumph OF this
lspirit in the formation, three years since.
Il the Uoited Foreign Mission Society
and they now rejoice in being able tostate
that the exertions of that Society, have at
length, produced mission which, from
the marked circumstances of Providence
in preparing its way, the spirit OF devoted
zeal which distinguishes its members, aud
the abundant prayers and offerings Of Gods
people which have thus far accompanied
its steps, bids fair for accomplishing the
greatest and the happiest effects. A mis-
sion family consisting OF seventeen adults
and four children, and containing two or
dained ministers, ply sician, and num
Der OF pious persons acquainted with ag-
ricuIture and the mechanic arts, have
taken their departure for the Arkansaw
river, with the design of forming per-
manent missionary establishment among
the Usage tribe of Indians. The Chiefs
Of the tribe approve aud invite the mis-
sion, aud the paternal smiles Of our gen.
f eral Government have encouraged de.
sign SO directly calculated TO promote
their civilization and moral improvement
But while regarding on one hand tht
much injured Aborigines of our own iaud
the church has not been unmindiul, on thu
other, of race among US who have
r claim no less imperious TO our compassion
: and our prayers. The Colonization So
! ciely have at length enjoyed the lon
/ wished for opportunity of seeing a shi
depart from the American coast, bearin
: to Africa company of her descendant
E enlightened and free, and destined, as the,
I hope, to provide upon her benighie
4 shores sanctuary both for liberty ap
. truth. The ship was sent out by gos
! eminent and accompanied by an arme
3 vessel for her protection. She has safel
: reached Sierra Leone, on her way I
Sherbro, which is contemplated as III
! site of the proposed colony. The Assem-
q bly,, while contemplating these efforts ;
b broad think it right to add that the cond
E ton of slaves 10 several districts of GU
! owa country is not without circumstance
which in some measure relieve the pictur
|, of their general condition. Their rel
1 gious education is in some cases assidt
ously attended to; they worship 10 tn
! family of christian masters aud number
6 of them give the clearest evidence Of b
: ing christians themselves. Some of on
E southern churches contain in their con
E munion three and some four hundre
|, slaves.
: The cause Of domestic missions contir
, Iues TO receive that assiduous attentio