Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-11-21

Launch OF THE MIssioNARY SCHOONER
g MORNING STAR" One of those moral sub
limities which dot tho surface Of this worldly
age, and show that there is yet living prin-
ciple of religious faith and duty strongly in
corporated in the public mind, was seen at
Chelsea yesterday. in the launch OF the mis-
sionary schooner Morning Star-the contri-
button of the Sabbath Scnool scholars of the
Orthodox Congregational Churches through
out the country to the cause of Missions.
The scene was one of the most interesting we
ever witnessed, and the enjoyment of the oc-
casion was participated in by nearly 1000
people, three fourths of which number were
children and youths. The White Street Sab
bath School Of this city sent 200 of its pupils
to witness the launch.
The " Morning Star was built by Jotham
Stetson, Esq, ship-buider near the ferry in
Chelsea. She is a beautifully modelled craft,
and most substantially built-that quality
being preferred to mere adornment, and wise
ly SO. Her finishing inside is quite plain, al
though nothing has been left undone which
comfort on board may require. The thousands
who visited her yesterday were loud in their
admiration of the arrangements, which, while
they made the officers cabins comfortable,
were equally as carefully attended to in res
pect to those of the men. The vessel will
cost $4,000. The amount is divided into
100 900 shares of ten cents each. Every
scholar who takes share receives a certfic-
ate from the Treasurer of the Board. The
vessel is rigged as an hermaphrodite brig.
She is about to sail for the Pacific on her
first missionary voyage, and Capt. Moore, who
will command her, may be assured that the
earnest prayers of thousands of her disin-
terested owners will follow him along his
ocean path to the accomplishment Of the
truest charity and love.
| We had almost forgotten to state that the
| figure head of the " Morning Star repre-.
sents Faith, and that the little ornamental
work on the vessel is chastely andIbeautitully
executed. The schooner draws ten feet ant
if the authority of experts is worth quoting
=. she is the handsomest little thing thai
has danced on these northern waters" Sht
is coppered to the bends, and has all the new
est and most valuable appointments IN thu
shape of rigging and machinery. Her register
is $50 tuns.
At ten minutes past l2 yesterday Nov
18th, the vessel haying been cleared OF al
those who were not invited to remain on boarC
during the launch, the services preliminary
to that accomplishment took place on plat
form alongside.
Rev. DR.. Pomroy Secretary to the Ameri
can Board OF Missions, called the assembly t.
order, and made brief speech, principal
directed to the children Some very happy
though familiar illustrations were used b.
him. which had a fine effect. Among ther
was the following " You all of you kno'
that when you see the Morning Star rise, til
Sun is not far off, and the glorious noon c
day also in like manner when this vessel
your Morning Star" rises into view in th
horizon, seen from the isles of the Pacific Sea
the poor benighted heather may assure them
selves that light of enlightments is drawin
near, and that ere long therefore, the gloriou
Sun of righteousness will arise in their hear
,, -thatsalvation is coming with its full armc
of Bibles, Churches and Sunday Schools.
The audience then, by request of Dr. Pom
roy, sung the Missionary hymn-"Fro
Greenland's icy mountains &c.
An impressive prayer was next offered
Rev. DR.. Worcester, of Salem.
Rev. Mr. Iangworthv of Chelsea made
brief address to the little owners of tt
: splendid little craft Just about to be launche
urging them, for the sake of the interests
the heather, and as duty taught them
: Him who knew all things, to have and reta
the same interest, in the /" Morning Star
as if she other ships are, a means
bringing them wealth from foreign lands.
His remarks were very appropriate and I
. milar to the comprehensions of his lit
hearers, whom he advised to cheer the
v loudcst when the schooner was launched.
!, The audience next, at the suggestion
Mr.. Lnngworthy, sung the Doxology
n From all that dwell below the skies"
t Preparation vas now made for the launC
a The mai wedging up, and releasing t
schooner from the keel-blOcks, were
labors of but five minutes, after which {
1t slid down the ways like swan, and float
to on the element for which she was destinC
g almost without causing ripple.
to Then went up shout-a glorious sho'
ID from the little owners-glorious from
total absence of all selfish cause for joy
T. Many old people stood round, and with tel
n, in their eyes, witnessed the consummat
which, we hope, is iraught with innumera
IN future blessings
IN After a few moments the steam tug HUI
$, came alongside the schooner, and towed
lie to her wharf down the harbor, and
d. crowd dispersed.