SALEM BIBLE TRANSLATION AND FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY. The following sums have been received by the Treasurer of the Salem Bible Translation and Foreign Mission Society, since the last statement was published. ,, Rev. Ebenezer L. Boyd, from the Fem. South- · 18,00 "Robert Cogswell, I dol.-Elenor Dyer, 3 dols. 1,00 4,00 ,, Ipswich Fem. For. Miss. Soc. by Miss E. Jones, 10,00 , Miss Lydia Ayers, 1,00 Haverhill Foreign Mission Society, "Public Contribution by S. Reading Chh. and Soc. 7,00 3,00 dol. 291,55 E. SECCOMB, Treas. Obituary, MRS. DOROTHEA MARIA FURMAN. ON the 22nd of March, in the present year, died Mrs. Dorothea Maria Furman, the late consort of the Rev. Dr. Furman, of this city, in the 46th year of her age. The public prints have, as yet, exhibited nothing to the view of the world respecting the death of this excellent woman, but the mere notice of the event given in the invitation which called her mourning friends to her funeral. Her character and life have not been essayed by the pen of either relative or friend. They presented to the mind a theme too tender and affecting to be enlarged upon, while the mournful event, her lamented death, was yet recent; and while their hearts, lacerated by the parting stroke which removed her from their society, were yet bleeding. But it is now time to say, that the wise and good, who knew her best, considered her as holding a distinguished station among those who, in the volume of inspiration, are styled, "The excellent of the Earth;" of those whose “Death, in the eyes of the Lord, is precious." She was a native of this city, and in it she lived all her days, excepting that part of them which passed between the time when the adherents to American liberty were sent by the British commanders to Philadelphia, in 1781, and their return to Charleston, in 1783: Her family ranking among these friends to liberty, she with them, though then a child, suffered this exclusion. She was married to Dr. Furman in the 16th year of her age, and became the mother of thirteen children; all of whom, notwithstanding the delicacy of her constitution, were, in their infancy, nourished exclusively by herself. Eleven of them survive her. To a comely exterior, were united, in her person, excellent intellective and moral endowments; and these, refined and sanctified by Divine Grace, were consecrated to the service and honour of God. From early life religion made deep impressions on her heart: and at the age of nineteen, she entered on a solemn public profession of it, by embracing the special ordinances of the Gospel. Her regular, devout attendance on public worship, in the Church, and in private, in the family and closet; her attention to all the offices of friendship and benevolence; her practising the mild and amiable virtues; and her faithful affectionate manner of performing the various relative duties of daughter, wife, mother, sister and mistress, demonstrated that her vows were not forgotten, nor her obligations disregarded to her latest day. Unostentatious, unassuming, not willing to give offence to any, and, above ali, careful to approve herself to God and her own conscience, and to do substantial good in her own proper sphere, she, in a manner, retired from the public view, finding her delight in communion with God, in the em ployment of the domestic circle, and in the society of a few chosen friends; here her virtues shone out in full, with a benign and gentle radiance. A pulmonary complaint was the means of bringing her to the grave. Under its deleterious influence she languished about two years, gently descending the dark valley which leads to the house appointed for all living. She discovered the approach of the King of Terrors, and felt that concern to be prepared for his arrest, which becomes an accountable creature, possessing an immortal soul. The ground of her hope was carefully examined; serious care was exercised to be in that state of preparation which God approves; and by repeated acts of humble faith, hope and resignation, her temporal and eternal concerns were committed to the hands of her all-sufficient gracious Redeemer. Free as she was from the charge of such things as tarnish the human character; exemplary as she was in the virtues, graces and works which embellish the christian life; yet, in her views of the Divine purity, she had a deeply humbling sense of her own unworthiness, sin and imperfection. No other foundation of hope would she acknowledge, but the righteousness, atonement, and intercession of the Divine Redeemer: Every other she rejected; on this she fixed, with holy confidence. As her end approached, her abstraction from earthly objects, and her attention to those which are heavenly, were increased. In consequence of anodynes, administered by her Physician, which her complaint rendered necessary, and from her extreme weakness, under the decays of nature, she was frequently prevented from attaining those lively exercises of devotion, and those intellectual enjoyments in which she delighted:this inability she lamented. But her love to her Saviour and her God, her good will to men, her faith and hope, her resignation, meekness and patience, remained stedfast. Sometimes she rose to sublime elevations; particularly while the following lines, and some others, fraught with similarly tender, pious sentiments, were sung, or rehearsed: "Sweet to rejoice in lively hope, "That when my change shall come, "Angels shall hover round my bed, "And waft my spirit home." In the latter part of her last night, she suddenly experienced extatic delight and joy in God Her pain and weakness, during the short, happy season, seemed to be all removed. It seemed to indicate the presence of an invisible, heavenly messenger. During some of her last days, an affectionate farewell was taken of several pious friends, under the impres sion, that they should meet no more on earth of her children it was taken, individually, on the day of her departure, and united with parental counsels and tender pious wishes for their temporal and eternal welfare. It was extended to the servants. After this transaction, which took place about 9 o'clock, she said but little; yet she joined in devotional exercises, expressed her humble hope, and solemnly resigned her soul into the hands of her Saviour and her Godand at 3 o'clock she ceased to breathe; without a struggle or a groan-experiencing one of the most gentle and peaceful dismissions from the frail body which are ever afforded to the immortal spirit of man. Surely we are authorized on this occasion, in application to the excellent deceased, to say : "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace!" Respect for her worth, and sympathy with the bereaved family, were strongly testified at her interment, by the attendance of nearly all the Clergy of the city, and by an uncommonly numerous assemblage of the citi zens from the various denominations. The Funeral Service was performed by the Rev. Dr. FLINN, who delivered on the occasion, a very pathetic and appropriate Address. Ordinations, &c. Feb. 20, 1819.-Mr. Alford, of Erie County, Pennsylvania, was ordained to the work of the ministry. Mr. Hartwell observes, "This is the first baptized minister who was ever either ordained, or had a residence in this extensive county. ORDINATIONS, &c. April 20, 1819.-Doctor Henry Hudson, of Union, Madina county, Penn. was ordained to the work of the ministry. The Brethren convened had travelled as much as sixty miles, through a distant wilderness and mudways. Elder Jesse Hartwell preached on the occasion, from Acts xx. 28, and also gave the charge. Elder Hanks made the ordaining prayer. Elder Goodale presented the right hand of Fellowship in behalf of the Churches. Elder Sturdyvant made the concluding prayer. Doctor Hudson is the first, and only Baptist minister living in this county, except an aged and infirm man unable to exer cise himself in the work. Oct 17, 1818. A Church was constituted at Waterford, Erie County, Pennsylvania. After due examina tion, Rev. Jesse Hartwell, from the Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, gave them the right hand of Fellowship. At Dover, Cuyahoga county, (New. York) Mr. Hartwell attended and preached at the Constitution of a Baptist Church ;-and assisted in the organization of a missionary Society; -about 25 dollars were subscribed. About the same period Mr. H., visited Geauga county, attended and ́ preached at the formation of another Auxiliary Missionary Society, who presented him ten dollars. On Wednesday, Sept. 8, Rev. Stephen Chapin was solemnly appointed Pastor of the Baptist Church of Christ in North Yarmouth. Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. Starr, of Woolwich. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Chaplin, Theological Professor in the Maine Literary and Theological Institution, text, 2 Tim. iv. 2 "Preach the word." Rev. Silas Stearns, of Bath, offered up the consecrating prayer. Rev. Benjamin Titcomb, of Brunswick, gave the charge. Rev. Thomas B. Ripley, of Portland, gave the right hand of Fellowship. Rev. Robert Low, of New Gloucester, offered the concluding prayer. The occasion was solemn and refreshing. Sept. 1819, a Baptist Church was Constituted at Nobleborough Maine, Rev. Mr. Manning preached on the occasion, and Mr. Pillsbury gave the right hand of fellowship. As soon as they were embodied they gave the Rev. Adoniram Judson, formerly of Plymouth, an unanimous invitation to be come their permanent Pastor. Ordained in the second society of Nobleborough, the 30th September, 1819, the Rev. Adoniram Judson, by the unanimous voice of the Council convened for that purpose. The Rev. Mr. Starr of Woolwich made the introductory prayer, and delivered an appropriate discourse from Acts xx. 24, describing the qualifications of a minister of Jesus Christ-the course which he adopts and pursues-the effects that will follow the faithful dis charge of his respective duties. The Rev. Mr. Stenson of Woolwich offered the consecrating prayer. The Rev. Mr. Fuller, of Warren, gave the charge. The Rev. Mr. Pillsbury, of Nobleborough, gave the right hand of fellowship, and made the concluding prayer. Each part of the publick exmusick which accompanied them, ercises, together with the agreeable were very impressive and pleasing, which was manifested by the attention and decent behaviour of a numerous and respectable assembly, through the course of the day and evening. ORDAINED in the Baptist Meeting House in Methuen, Sept. 18, 1819, Rev. Oliver Barron, to the work of an Evangelist. Haverhill offered up the introductory Rev. George Keely of on 2 Tim. iv. 5. prayer, and gave the charge, founded Ellis, of Exeter, (N. H.) delivered the Rev. Ferdinand sermon, from Isaiah vi. 1-5, and made the ordaining prayer. Rev C. O. right hand of Fellowship, and offered Kimball, of Methuen, presented the up the concluding prayer. The ser vices were solemn and interesting, and it is hoped impressions were made, which will prove salutary and lasting. On Thursday, Sept. 5, 1819, a Bap tist Church was constituted at Dracut, Mass. Rev. George Keely, of Haver. hill, preached on the occasion, from 1 Tim. iii. 15, "That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pil. lar and ground of the truth." Rev. C. O. Kimball, of Methuen, gave the right hand of Fellowship to the church, and Mr. Oliver Barron, a licentiate, now preaching to that Church, offered to the commencement of the above up the concluding prayer. Previous exercises, Rev. Mr. Kimball administered the ordinance of Baptism to three candidates, who were admitted The services were appropriate and as a constituent part of the Church. interesting; and it is devoutly hoped that the solemn transactions of that day will be blessed to the everlasting good of precious and immortal souls: "THIS YEAR THOU SHALT DIE.” Jer. xxviii. 16. TELL me my guardian Angel! tell, What thus infatuates? what enchantment plants IT is impossible for a person of reflection to enter on a Newa New Year, without solemn and affecting sensations of mind. A single year is pregnant with such a variety of interesting events, that we find it difficult to suppress the inquiries; "Where shall I be next New Year's day? What will be my situation? Shall I be numbered with the dead, or the living? Will my countenance be irradiated with the smiles of joy; or darkened with the clouds of sorrow? Where will be the wife of my affections, and the children of my love? Shall I then call them my own, or will they be removed from me forever?" These are inquiries which, from our past experience and observation, naturally suggest themselves. They are suitable to the opening of a New-Year, and are likely to have a salutary influence on our minds. YOUNG. There is one momentous change which all must undergo, and the probability that some of our numerous readers may experience this change before the close of the present year, has induced us to offer a few remarks on the affecting language of the Prophet, "This year thou shalt die." These words were first addressed to Hannaniah. He sustained the character of a prophet, but he was one of those, who, to please the people, prophesied smooth things. He endeavoured to persuade them, that, notwithstanding their impenitence and guilt, they had nothing to dread, for God would soon break the yoke of the king of Babylon. He represented the threatenings of Jeremiah as idle tales, which ought not to be regarded. Jeremiah accused him of prophesying falsely, and was instructed to say to him, "This year thou shalt die." It would be presumptuous in us to apply this language to any individual in particular, because we have received no such commission from Heaven. But as there is a moral certainty that some among us will die before the commencement of another year, it is proper that we should bring this subject home to our own hearts. Each of us should ask, May not the case of Hannaniah be my case? May not the decree have gone forth, "This year thou shalt die ?" The probability that we may die in the course of the present year will be universally admitted. Many have reason to expect this solemn event, from the boundaries which are assigned to human life. "The days of our years are three score years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." As a general appointment of Heaven, fourscore years mark the extreme limits of the life of man. Many will therefore be called to pay the debt of nature this year, because the principle of life in consequence of old age, will become exhausted. But we are convinced by painful observation, that death does not confine his conquests to the aged and infirm. "Like other tyrants, death delights to smite, "What, smitten, most proclaims the pride of power." He seizes his victims from the young as well as from the old. Here, he takes the infant from its cradle-there, the blooming youth. Yonder, he smites to the dust the man whose bones are full of marrów, who is in the full vigour of life. And yonder, he lays his withering hand on the beauteous female, and she becomes an unsightly corpse. The bridal attire which was prepared for her, is thrown aside, and the anticipated marriage-day is changed into a scene of grief and wo. Are these fictions or facts? If they are facts, why do we think and act as though death were far from us; and what reason have we to suppose that we are fa vourites whom he will spare ; or that we shall be invulnerable to his deadly shafts ? Surely no one will have the temerity to say, "I have made a covenant with death, and an agreement with the grave, that I shall live another year. No person can be assured of this from his present situation; for neither youth, nor health, are any security against the stroke of death: "One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet; another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure." Neither can any one have an assurance of the continuance of his life from others. The Physician may flatter his patient with the hope of returning health, he may exert his utmost skill, and try the efficacy of the most suitable medicines, but when the arrow of death pierces the heart every etfort is vain. Who then can presume upon the continuance of life? Are you young-visit the grave-yards in your neighbourhood, and you will find that many younger than you, are interred there. Are you firm in healththere you will learn that "in the midst of life we are in death." Are you men of wisdom and wealth--there you will see the rich and the poor, the ignorant and the wise laid together. With these monuments of the mortality of man before you, you will sure. ly be impressed with the conviction that nothing can shield you from the unerring darts of death. Nor should it ever be forgotten that the seeds of dissolution are sown in our frames. They grow with our growth, and |
