North-American States. State of Ohio. Site of Gambier Town and Kenyon KENYON College, of which a view is here given, is now erecting, in connection with the Town of Gambier, on lands purchased near the centre of the State of Ohio. Some notices on this subject occur at p. 302 of our last Volume. In a late publication in America the College is thus spoken of The situation of the College is one of the best that can be conceived for carrying into successful operation the design of its founders. The following sketch is from the pen of one of its friends in Ohio The situation combines more and greater advantages than any with which I am acquainted, this side of the Alleghany Mountains. It lies within a few miles of the geographical centre of the State; and is among the most valuable lands, and in the most healthy region in Ohio: on which, and on many other local accounts, it is very notable for the foundation of an extensive and public Institution. There is an abundance and variety of building materials, the best of timber, an inexhaustible quarry of free-stone within fifty or sixty rods of the site, and limestone within half-a-mile-2000 acres of the most exuberant soil, nearly half of which is under successful cultivation-two of the most pleasant streams that I ever saw, whose perennial waters are transparent at any depth; and on which are three or four excellent mill-seats, one of which affords water sufficient to carry four run of stones. The two divisions contain half a township, or 8000 acres; which, with all these advantages and the improvements of thirty families, is only two dollars and twenty-five cents per acre, or 18,000 dollars for the whole, to be paid in our annual instalments. It is proposed to retain only one half of the tract for a permanent site and domain, which is to be rented by provisional leases to none but moral tenants; so that our Youth may not only breathe a healthful air, but move in society virtuous and refined. From the site upon which it is intended to erect the buildings, elevated about 200 feet above the surrounding lands, a beautiful prospect is presented, extending several miles in every direction. No situation in all the west could be selected more free from the ordinary causes of disease, or affording a better security for health. It is of easy access, in every direction. The face of the country, in the neighbourhood, is beautifully undulating, contains a vast number of pure springs of water, and is eminently calculated for a dense agricultural settlement. It is surenterprising population. In less than rounded by a hardy, industrious, and half the period allotted the life of man, the territory now forming the State of Ohio has emerged from a dreary wilderness, where no trace of human existence could be seen except here and there a roaming Indian hunter, to a state of improvement and civilization, which has seldom, if ever, been equalled in so short a time in any other country.. Within the period here mentioned it is said that the population has been raised, by the influx of inhabitants, from 3000 to 800,000. Another writer thus describes the situation The grounds lie in an oblong-square form, length from north to south five miles, and from east to west two milesand-a-half. Through the south half, on which the College is placed, runs, in a very circuitous manner, Vernon River, Here, in this smooth and well-adapted area, on this site raised above and for ever secluded from the noise and busy scenes of life, we saw the preparations for the commencement of this great, and good, and benevolent work. As I approached it, after having attended Divine Service and heard an excellent Sermon under the spreading trees by the Rev. Mr. Morse, I could not but feel as seldom I ever before have felt. I blessed God for having permitted me to see the commencement of a Christian Institution, the fountain of so many blessings to the present and to future generations. Filled with these thoughts, which the scene, of itself, was calculated silently to inspire, I was called to witness a most appropriate Service; the solemnity of which will be, I trust, imprinted on my memory so long as life shall last. Laying the Foundation Stone of Kenyon The Service to which the writer alludes is thus described The Bishop commenced it by sayingExcept the Lord build the house, their labour is but lost that build it. He then proceeded Dearly Beloved in the Lord-Forasmuch as devout and holy men, as well under the Law as under the Gospel, moved either by the express command of God or by the secret inspiration of the Blessed Spirit, and acting agreeably to their own sense of the natural decency of things, have founded Houses for the promotion of Piety and the diffusion of Christian Learning, and for that purpose, and in order to fill men's minds with greater reverence for God's glorious Majesty, and affect their hearts with more devotion and humility in His service, have assembled themselves together to commune, in His strength and in solemn order, let us now faithfully and devoutly beg His blessing on our present undertaking. O Eternal God, mighty in power, and of majesty incomprehensible, whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain, much less the walls of the temples made with hands, and who yet hast graciously pleased to promise Thy especial presence wherever two or three of Thy faithful servants are assembled together in Thy name, vouchsafe, O Lord, to be present with us who are here gathered together in Thy name, with all humility and readiness of heart to lay the corner-stone of THIS BUILDING, being a SEMINARY AND COLLEGE OF RELIGION AND LEARNING, to be erected for the glory of Thy holy name, the good of Thy Church, and the safety, honour, and welfare of Thy people. Thine own work we trust it is, and has been from the beginning. Cemented by the mingling charities of kindred though distant nations, Oh may it now receive Thy crowning blessing! As Thou hast begun in mercy to direct Thy servants in the way and means to accomplish Thy will thus far, so now continue Thou to bless their endeavours to do Thee true and laudable service. Watch over Thy servants, who are to direct and perform this Thy glorious work, with Thy merciful eyes; and, with Thy Almighty power, guard them from all accidents, sickness, and death: especially we pray Thee to keep and deliver them from sin, from Thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation. Hear us in Heaven, Thy dwelling-place: when Thou hearest, forgive; and bless this the work of our hands, for the temporal and eternal good of this and future generations, in countless multitudes, to the end of the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen. The Deposit was then made, consisting of such public documents as mark the age in which we live, and the literary and religious character of the Institution of which this is the first building. This done, the Bishop said The earth is the Lord's and all that therein is; the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein. The people answeredFor he hath founded it upon the seas, and prepared it upon the floods. The Bishop then proceeded Forasmuch as Almighty God once accepted the purpose of Solomon to build a House unto the name of the Lord his God, and nothing doubting but that He favourably alloweth this work of ours to found and erect this Seminary and College, I therefore lay the Corner Stone of the same, in the Name of the great Jehovah, who once said, Let us make man in our own image-the Holy, Holy, Holy, Undivided Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Three Persons, but One God, blessed for ever more! Amen. Then was said alternately the 118th Psalm; after which the Gloria Patri. The Bishop then said Blessed be Thy holy name, O Lord God, for putting it into our hearts to found this House, to the glory of Thy Divine Majesty and the good of Thy people. Blessing and honour, might and dominion, glory and praise, belong unto Thee, O Father Almighty, for that Thou didst incline the wills of bene factors and affect the hearts of faithful people to open their hands liberally, that this work of benevolence might be established and made to prosper in Thy sight: therefore, now and ever, shall be offered unto Thee, in behalf of them and their posterity, the fervent prayer. Bless them and their children, O Lord, we beseech Thee, with blessings from the heavens above and from the earth beneath: let none of their descendants, to the latest generations, be vile at home or beg their bread in foreign lands: let them be sanctified and blessed for ever. And when we pray for them, give us grace, O Heavenly Father, to pray for ourselves: remember not our iniquities, nor the iniquities of our forefathers; neither take Thou vengeance on our sins. Watch over this Institution now founded by Thy goodness: bless the Youth in this and all future generations, who here shall receive their education: preserve them from sin, the greatest of all evils, and from the effects of sin, which are Thy wrath and eternal death: let Thy fatherly hand, we beseech Thee, ever be over them: let Thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of Thy Word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life. All this we offer and ask through Jesus Christ, who, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end! Amen. Here were closed the devotional exercises of this most solemn occasion. A Chapel is to be erected, which may serve both for the Students of the College and the inhabitants of Gambier. A Library of 1500 volumes has been collected. The course of instruction in the College is to be fundamentally Christian. About Fifty Students are under preparation for the College: of these the Bishop says with the account of the Indians. I wish you could see them NowW. How improved in mind and address! When I return home from my wanderings, I can scarcely believe my senses, in witnessing their progress in learning and civilized habits. They attend Divine Service very punctually, morning and evening; and never fail in having committed to memory their verses from the Holy Scriptures. They often write me Letters; and as often express their gratitude that God has caused the means of learning to be extended to them. Mr. Sparrow has a very high opinion of their good intentions; and hopes that they feel spiritually, what they begin to comprehend through outward means. Much of our success is to be attributed to the good impressions which the Prayer Book in their own language had left on their minds. Contributions in America to Kenyon A Theological Seminary only was originally designed, and it was for this object that contributions were raised in England: the success of this application led Bishop Chase and his friends to endeavour, by contributions in America, to connect with the Theological Seminary a College for General Learning, without which the Theological Students would have been obliged to seek General Learning in one of the Literary Institutions before established. The contributions consequent on Bishop Chase's visit to England have been paid to the Trustees of the College, and have realized nearly 30,000 dollars: out of this sum the 18,000 dollars for the purchase of the they continue Thine for ever; and daily with the produce of the future sale lands will be paid: the remainder, They are habituated to join in the Prayer-Bless our English Benefactors, O Lord, with blessings from the earth beneath and the Heavens above. May increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more until they come to Thine everlasting Kingdom! Improvement of Indian Students. In reference to an account, printed at pp. 596-598 of our Volume for 1825, of a visit by Bishop Chase to a Tribe of Indians and of some of their Youths taken under his tuition, the Bishop writes to a friend, in May of last year— You say that you were all pleased of the northern half of the lands, will form a fund for the perpetual support of the Institution. As the buildings were to be erected by contributions in America, Bishop Chase published an Appeal to his countrymen, and visited the Atlantic States, where he had collected, in June last, 9228 dollars, toward 10,000 which he deemed requisite. A subscription for another Fund of Ten Thousand Dollars has also been opened, with a liberal benefaction of One Thousand by Arthur Tappan, Esq. of New York, on condition that the whole sum shall be raised within a year: the Bishop's Brother had added another Thousand on the same condition. The object of this Subscription is the establishing of a Professorship in Kenyon College, to be called the Milnor Professorship, out of respect to the Rev. Dr. Milnor, Rector of St. George's Church, in New York. Mr. Tappan's liberality is the more to be noticed, as he is not an Episcopalian but of the Presbyterian Church. This part of my report leads me to another of a similar, but much more extensive character; which has filled my mind with reverence and gratitude for the overruling hand of a merciful Providence seldom before experienced: I mean that of the appearance of Mr. George Montgomery West in this Diocese, as a messenger from our benevolent friends in England, and as the agent and representative of many worthy persons and families who are contemplating emigration from the British Isles and settling here among us. Concerning Mr. West, I have received the most satisfactory testimonials from our most attached friends. The purport of this recommendation is, that Mr. West receive Holy Orders in this country instead of England, as was contemplated; that he become one of the Ohio Clergy, and in that character enter on the great work of doing us good either in England or America, or in both, as God, in His providence, shall dictate. Should my Council of Advice, who are to convene here to-morrow, concur in recommending Mr. West, I shall, if the Lord permit, ordain him Deacon next Sunday, here on the College Grounds, and the Sunday following admit him to Priests' Orders in St. Peter's Church, Delaware; that he may return immediately to Europe, and expedite the sailing of such families as are prepared to emigrate this fall to Gambier; and, in the character of a Clergyman of Ohio, in full orders, plead the cause of religion and learning now so evidently suffering in the West, before those, who, to the honour of mankind and of our common Christianity, have hitherto so generously sympathized with us. Our work is too great for our limited means. God will stir up the hearts of all our friends to help us, that we faint not under the burden which His providence has laid on us. The Gentleman, who gave the account which we have quoted of the laying of the first stone of the College, thus closes that account The Bishop then introduced to the audience Mr. West, of whom mention is made in the Meeting of the Trustees, and requested that he would say a few words on the occasion. As he spake, my heart burned within me toward those foreign benefactors, who, without any earthly reward, have patronized this great undertaking. Blessed are the peacemakers, said the Saviour. Blessed are those who unite nations together in the bonds of Christian love and charity, said I, as Mr. West closed his short address. The Bishop then, after having declared it the happiest day of his life, gave the dismissing blessing. The day following this of laying the corner-stone of Kenyon College was Sunday; and I shall never forget it: for, on it, I saw, for the first time of my life, an Ordination to the Christian Ministry in the woods. A Congregation of Christian People, not a small one, was gathered together under the spreading trees growing on the green banks of Vernon River, which glides in such purity and plenty in view of the College Heights. Here the Christian Altar was raised: here the Pulpit, and here the Chancel-and here I saw Mr. West, ordained to the Holy Ministry of Christ's Church; and when I saw him meekly kneeling on the green turf to receive the laying-on of hands, I blessed God that so much talent was consecrated to the service of the Redeemer of mankind. May this man, said I, be a Shepherd indeed to feed the flock of Christ in green pastures by the waters of comfort! Mr. West has returned to England; and will finally settle, with the families which may accompany him, as soon as practicable, on the lands of the College. Recent Miscellaneous Entelligence. UNITED KINGDOM. Church Miss. Soc.-The Deputation to Basle (see p. 343) have returned. Mr. Coates arrived on the 9th of August; and Mr. Bick. ersteth on the 11th, having staid at Paris to be present at a Meeting of the Missionary Society in that city. Jews' Society-Mr. Michael Solomon Alexander, formerly Reader of the Jewish Synagogue at Plymouth, and Mr. Michael John Mayers, also a Converted Jew, were admitted to Holy Orders, on Trinity Sunday, by the Archbishop of Dublin.-Mr. Wolff left this country, with Lady Georgiana, on their way to the Mediterranean, on the 26th of July, in the Steam Packet for Gibraltar : they will proceed from Gibraltar, in the regular Packet, to Malta; and thence, as soon as practicable, to his destination at Jerusalem. London Miss. Soc.- Mr. and Mrs. Evans, with their family, from the Paarl, in South Africa, arrived in London on the 1st of August: they came home in the Peru, Captain John Graham, which ship left Table Bay on the 19th of May. Mr. Evans's health, on account of which he has visited England, it having been much impaired by ten years' service, was improved by the voyage. Society of Friends-Mrs. Kilham, in the Vocabularies (see p. 343) which she purposes to prepare in the West-African Languages, has it particularly in view to enable the Scholars to attain a better understanding of the meaning of words than it is found that they do at present: Native Children will learn to read English even fluently, while to many words they annex no intelligent meaning: she conceives, and very justly, that they will be better taught the meaning of such words through the medium of their own language, than by any explanations which can be given them in English. Mrs. Kilham has found, also, that the English School-Books in use in Sierra Leone are not sufficiently simple; but contain various things, intelligible enough or capable of being made so to an English Child, but not so to a Native: she has pre pared, therefore, and will take out with her, a Series of African School Tracts, which will greatly facilitate the work of teaching. Mrs. Kilham will proceed to Sierra Leone in one of the earliest ships, in company of some of the Labourers of the Church Missionary Society WESTERN AFRICA. Church Miss. Soc.-At the end of May, all the Society's Labourers were in tolerable health. AFRICAN ISLANDS. London Miss. Soc.-The Mission at Madagascar has been in much affliction. Mr. Charles Hovendon, who sailed with his family on the 6th of July of last year, arrived at Tananarivoo on the 20th of November; but died of the Malagache Fever, after a few days' illness, on the 15th of December: when asked, shortly before his departure, where his hopes were fixed in the prospect of Eternity, he answered "On Jesus Christ!" Mrs. Hovendon and their two children, with various members of the Mission, have suffered severely from the fever, and two of the children died. Mr. Hovendon was sent out to Madagascar to take charge of a Printing Establishment, which he was instructed to form under the direction of the Missionaries at Tananarivoo. They write, in reference to printing their Translation of the Scriptures and SchoolBooks Our sanguine hopes and great expectations are at once blasted! At the very moment when our hearts were cheered and our hands strengthened by the addition made to our number, are we plunged into sorrow and become feeble. Truly clouds and darkness are round about him. INDIA BEYOND THE GANGES. London Miss. Soc - The Rev. Jacob Tomlin, who sailed on the 20th of June of last year, arrived in Calcutta, after a pleasant passage of four months; and proceeded, after staying two months in Calcutta, to his destination at Malacca from which place he writes, on the 3d of March, that he and Mr. John Smith, who sailed from England about seven weeks before him, were studying Chinese, chiefly in the Fokien Dialect, which is the current dialect of the emigrant Chinese in almost all quarters. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY From July 21, to August 20, 1827. Mordon, Surrey Melton-Mowbray 18 0 0 24914 13 676 1 0. 37 7 0 500347 18 2 18 4 0 23 0 0 4989 13 6 265 17 2 370 2 11 7358 17 7 1631 15 6 2669 12 5 15 59 559 1 2 6627 10 4 1053 0 0 1674 14 9 947 8 3 141 10 10 5 10 8 - 281 19 11 St. Catherine Cree Shepperton, Middlesex Suffolk (Rushmere 5.2.6) Taunton & West Somerset, 100 White Roothing, Essex 0 0. 6896 8 9 0 - 1050 5 5 680 0 0 0 - 100 668 55 10 8 9570 15 11 - 300 0 0 COLLECTIONS. Baylie, Miss, Dunstable 100 Allepis School and India-Fem. Educ. Funds next month. The Committee of the Church Missionary Society thankfully acknowledge the receipt of Parcels of Fancy Articles (for Sale in India) from Miss Hands-and "a Lady." |