The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-23
Gbs Ssbisb.

The MARTYR OF sUMArRA. A Memoir OF Henry Lyman.
New York; Robert Carter & Brothers. 1856 For sale
by Gray & Bsllsntyne, Washington d. C.
We have here memoir that we have often
wondered should have not years since made its
appearance. We do not now understand why
it has been SO long delayed. 1t is more than
twenty years ago that the Christian commp-
nifty received the shock of heavy tidings reach
ing our country, that two of the missionaries
sent out by the American Board (MUNsoN and
LYMAN had been met murdered, and devoured
by the Battas, cannibals of Sumatra, among
whom they had gone to explore the country as
field for their future missionary operations.
SO far as could be judged by their characters
and their incipient labors, the loss to the Chris
tian world was great indeed. They were men
OF no common excellence and adaptation to
their work. They had promptly responded,
and with whole heart and soul, to the call,
"Whon shall we send, and who will go for
us?" and trained themselves to be greatly use-
full. 1t was day of mourning among the
friends of missions, when the news of their sad
fate was told. Many heart felt it, as well as
to her Saviour from his birth, and the sister
who had held so many an hour of sweet com.
munion with beloved brother. This Memoir
of HENRY LYMAN, one of the martyrs of Su-
matra is fine development of character of
rare energy and piety. A leader to his associ-
ates, while unreconcied to God-an open ad-
versary and scotfer in the revival in College
he could not cope with the sovereign mercy of
God, that came to him, no doubt, in answer to
the prayers of parents who had consecrated
him, as soon as born, to the ministry of recon-
Citation" and to be a missionary. And the
same qualities which once made him open in his
rebellion to his Saviour, wrought in him, through
grace, to fit him for the unhinchng service in
which he engaged, to bear the Gospel to the
heather. His diary, here given, marks the
phases of his earlier or later history; his soul
becoming, after his conversion, more deeply
imbued with the spirit of Christ, and his labors
frequent arduous, and part of his selfdisci-
pline to the great work he had in view, while
pursuing his professional studies, till his feet
were at last planted on heather soil The rec
ord of his tolls and his feelings there is short
for he soon met his end, at the age of twenty.
four years; but enough is given to show that
previous expectations would probably have been
more than realized, had he lived, in a course
of long labors, to wear out in his missionary
service. The book, however, is another exhi-
bition, in addition to the many before existing,
and ever multiplying, of what sort of men the
v,1.oo
Pagan lands are. Numerous extracts are given
from his journalism indication of the spirit
of which, and how they were written, is seen in
thewords he was wont to inscribe on the hy.leaf-
"sIx HUNDRED THOUSAND ARE PERIsHING IL
Calvary" There is rich flow of devoted
piety running through his language. His heart
is large one. He loves, labors, suffers, and
looks forward to death like man whole souled
in everything. The one purpose to spend and
be spent for Christ is the actuating motive
and the peace of conscience, the JOY in the Holy
Ghost, which breathes forth in the fitness of his
continual selfconsecration to Him who has
loved him and is blessing him, is proof that
death, even in the unexpected and terrific form
in which it came upon him, could not have
found him unprepared. 1t would seem as if
Mr.. Lyman and his fellow-missionary were MUIR
dered by portion of the Battas, in village
called Sacca, who were suspicious of strangers,
in consequence of their being at war with
a neighboring village. "When, however, it
became known that the brethren were good
men, and had come to do the Batta nation good,
all the villages round leagued together for ven-
geance against the village where the outrage
was perpetrated, and to require blood for blood"
The village was set on fire, and most of the
population killed. A missionary of the Amer.
lean Board, soon after their death, while explo-
riog the Batta country in that very region, on
being taken sick, was treated with great kind
ness, and carried on litter, on their shout
ders, six days clear proof that, savage as
they are, at times, they may yet, hereafter, be
reached by the love of God The skulls of the
martyrs, after being hung up for time in the
bamboo huts of the Batta chiefs, were recov-
cred, sent home, and buried. A memorial of |
Mr.. Lyman is to be seen in the graveyard, and |
near by where lie the ashes of Brainerd. The |
compiler and author of this volume is not men |
toned. He has, however, done a good SER
vice, not only to the memory of friend, but to
the missionary cause, and given us volume
which deserves to be read, for its choicely-
selected passages from the diaries and letters
of Mr.. Lyman, and his own welldefned por-
traiture of the man, the Christian, and the her
aid of the Gospel in heather lands. Passages
Of touching pathos occur in these pages-the
simple beauty Of narration, the incidents speak.
ing for themselves to the heart, and enlistng
The sympathies of every reader. There Is no
likeness given of Mr.. Lyman, but the fronts.
piece is a beautiful engraving of the Edwards
Church, Northampton, Massachusetts.
Conditions and Course Of the Life of Man BY John
William Draper, NJ d., Ii. D., Professor of Chemistry
and Physiology in the University of New York Illus.
ua'ed with nearly 300 wood engravings New York:
Harper Brothers. 1856. For sale by Franck TAYLOR.
Washington, ID. c.
The proper study of mankind is man."
SO speaks the poet, and his declaration has
passed into an adage. 1t is true, physically,
mentally, and morally. This book is designed
10 furnish light on the subject. The relations
of the physical system of man, and the circum.
stances under which It's action is carried on.
ts Developments and adaptations, are deeply
not only with the question of physi.
cal comfort, but with morals and religion. The
more minute and accurate our knowledge of
Vhat our Creator has made us, and the capaci-
les with which We are endowed, the better can
We understand the design of our being, see the