Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-05-08
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Memoirs ofthe Rec. Samuel Munson, and
the Req. Henry Lyman, late Missiona-
ries to the Indian Archipelago, acith
the Journakof their Exploring Tour
BIZ Rec. William T0mpsOn Ne,o York:
d. Appleton d Co. Boston: Weeks,
Jordan d Co.
This book forms permanent record of
the main facts connected with the life and
death of these two lamented missionaries.
The extraordinary occurrence in the his
tory of missions, that two in the prime OF
life should be taken away by violent
death, has excited an unusual desire to
know all which can be known, of the al
tending circumstances To satisfy that
desire, was one object of this book.
Mr.. Munson, it apears, was born in
New Sharon, Me- had pious parents, was
early left an orphan, and struggled hard
against poverty and other discourage
ments, was industrious and persevering in
study, habitually rious and devoted and
attained respectable degree of scolar-
ship. Mr.. Lyman was born in Northamp-
ton, Mass. was of an ardent temperament,
leader in mischief and opposition 10 re-
ligion in college, vas there converted, and
became equally energetic in the cause of
piety. They embarked together on the
10Th Of June, 1888, for Batavia, from
whence they were to proceed on a tour Of
observation 10 PuIo Nyas, an island west
Of Sumatra, then, if possible, to explore
the west part of Sumalra, inhabited by the
! 4
Borneo, and some other islands. This
commission they were permitted TO fulfil
but in part After spending some time in
exploring the islands west of Sumatr IA,
they came to sudden and violent death
in attempting to explore the Bata coun-
TRY.
The manner and circumstances of the
death of these two missionaries, has been
the topic of much discussion, and different
impressions as to the f,cts in the case to a
considerable extent, still prevail. Much
regret has been expressed that they should
have "fallen with arms in their hands"
Had they lallen with deadly weapons in
their hands, which they were using, or
intending TO use in their own defence, il
would have been lamentabe fact indeed
! But their own motives in conserving to
take arms with them, will be best learned
by the following extract from the diary OF
Mr.. Lyman, written when preparing to
set out on the tour which was to be the
closing labor Of his life
MAY l6.-It was some time, in max
ing out our outfit, before could bring nv
feelings to put down in the list, firearms
and ammunition; they appeared so ncon-
sistent with our object. But Mr.. Ward
joined all others in saying, that while it
would be temptation of Providence 20 go
where wild beasts were so abundant,
without arms, they would be kind OF
scarecrow to ali the natives, and save US,
I mot by their use, but sight,) from much
trouble and insult, and insure us, on the
contrary, safety and respect. This, to-
gether with the fact, that all natives 90
armed, and we being on a tour Of investi-
CATION, finally overcome my scruples.-
But | must confess would almost as
soon allow my own life 10 be taken, as TO
take that of ID fellow-man, though a sav-
age. However, God will lead US into no
trial but he will find a way of escape. In
Him we trust"
Still we cannot but think il a mistaken
! policy for an ambassador of the Prince of
Peace, 10 resort at all to deadly weapons.
There may be some speciousness in the
| plea about wild beasts, but after all they
were IN country thickl y populated, their
business called them 10 mingle with men.
not to explore barren wastes, and we can
hardly suppose that coupa ny of active,
well informed men, unarmed, would be in
much danger In a region where SO many
defenceless women and children must from
the nature OF the case be continually expos
ed. The missionaries were over persuad-
ed by the Ill advice of others, though we'll
meant, and there can be little doubt, but in
their minds the chief argument was.
that they would be scarecrow TO the
natives not by their use, but sight"
When actually attacked, it apears that
the missionaries had no intention 10 use
firearms, for they Immediately surrender
ed them. Bat still the excited savages
found them with arms in their hands, and
IN the hands OF their attendants. 1t an
pears, also, that one of the servants wish
ed to lire on the company which suddenly
surrounded them; and as none except ma
tlves survived TO tell the tale, it is not
certain that some of the party belonging 10
the missionaries did not attempt to use Vi
olence. At any rate, the one in whom
they placed the most confidence, and
whose story is chiefly relied on in max
ing out the circumstances attending their
death, 81 Ian, was not sufficiently aware
OF their peaceful intentions to prevent him
from offering to fire on the Battas, and Mr.