[orma lal w tytAAK A MEMOIR or MRS. HENRIETTA SHUCK, f FIRST AMERICAN- FEMALE MISSIONARY TO CHINA, BY J. B. JETER, FAJTOB or THB FIMT BArriir CHUECH, RICHMOND, TA. BOSTON: GOULD, KENDALL, &. LINCOLN. 59 Washington Street. 1849. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, BY GOULD, KENDALL, & LINCOLN, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetu. STACK ANNEX PREFACE THE compiler deems it proper to state briefly the motives which induced him to prepare the following Memoir. Shortly after the death of the late lamented Mrs. Shuck, the members of the China mission held a meeting, and, with other resolutions suitable to the oc- casion, unanimously adopted the following: " Resolved That the character and the circum- stances attending the life of our departed sister are in- teresting and instructive, not only to us, but, if made public, are calculated to aid the cause of missions gener- ally, and especially that in which she labored and died, and, therefore, that the Board be requested to appoint her former Pastor, the Rev. J. B. Jeter, or some other competent person, to prepare a Memoir of her life. J. LEWIS SHUCK, Sec." In due time, the compiler received a letter from the Corresponding Secretary of the Board, in Boston, in- forming him that they heartily concurred in the resolu- tion, and desiring him to " prepare a suitable memorial of MM. Shuck's worth and works." The appointment accorded with the views and wishes of her family and friends. The compiler felt himself solemnly called, in 1* 6 PREFACE. the providence of God, to decide whether he would undertake the task assigned him. After serious delib- eration, and, as he trusts, earnest prayer for divine guidance, he resolved to engage in the preparation of the Memoir. Various considerations conducted him to this decision. Mrs. Shuck was the first female Amencan missiona- ry who went to China. She was a lady of good mind, pleasant manners, and most fervent piety, and self- sacrificing devotion to the cause of missions. Her cor- respondence, on examination, was found to be copious and intrinsically excellent If the compiler has not been deceived by his associations with the esteemed subject of the Memoir, many of her letters, and much of her journals, are distinguished by a beautiful sim- plicity and a most touching pathos, and all of them by a kind, generous, and pious spirit Her life, though it did not abound in striking incidents and brilliant achievements, was filled up with diligent, self-denying, and earnest efforts for the salvation of the heathen. China is a singular, and, to the enlightened Chris- tian, who prays and labors for the salvation of the world, a most interesting country. The recent opening of its most important ports, by solemn treaty, to Chris- tian missionaries, and the unexpected toleration of Christianity in the empire, have turned all Christian eyes and hearts towards it It is the largest and most important mission field on the globe. Much informa- tion concerning China, its history, government, lan- guage, religions, the manners, customs, and moral condition of the people, &c., will be found incorpo- rated in the Memoir. To those who have not access to PREFACE. 7, other sources of knowledge, it will convey much in- formation concerning the "Celestial Empire," and that, too, not always in dry detail, but frequently in pleasing narrative. Of the execution of the work the author need say nothing ; of that the public will judge, and neither ex- planation nor apology can modify the decision. He may, however, be permitted to say, that his only re- ward for the labor of preparing the Memoir is the hope that it may promote the interests of true religion and the cause of missions. The profits accruing from the sale of the copy-right will be appropriated, one half to the education of Mrs. Shuck's children, and the other half to the cause of Foreign Missions, to be divided equally between the Northern and Southern Baptist Boards. To the compiler, this seemed the fairest dis- tribution of the profits. To the private correspondence of Mrs. Shuck, cheerfully placed by the family in the hands of the writer, without the slightest expectation of pecuniary advantage to her children, the work will be mainly indebted for its interest. Nothing could be more suitable than that the children should reap the profits of their dear mother's intellectual efforts. But Mrs. Shuck was a missionary as well as a mother. While living, her anxieties, prayers, and labors, were divided between her loved offspring and the perishing heathen. Let the pecuniary profits of her Memoir be, in like manner, divided. As Mrs. Shuck labored under the patronage of the Boston Board, and as the Memo/r has been compiled at their request, they have a fair claim to a portion of its profits ; and as Mrs. Shuck was a southern lady, and her husband has connected 8 PREFACE. himself with this Board, it seems proper that they also should participate in the benefit The compiler is aware that this explanation is not due to the public ; that he has a perfect right to do what he will with his own ; but, to prevent misconception, he has judged it better to make it, and hopes he shall be pardoned for giving the subject a prominence to which its importance does not entitle it. He now commits the work to the consideration of the public, and to the blessing of God. Should it be tne means of quickening the piety and increasing the lib- erality of Christians, and awakening a deeper, and stronger, and more effective interest in the cause of Foreign Missions, and especially for the evangelization of China, he will be richly compensated. J. B. JETER. Richmond, Sept., 1846. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Henrietta Hall's Birthplace Parentage Religious Training Ed- ucation Mrs. Little's Letter Her Religious Awakening The Lancaster Camp-meeting Henrietta's Conversion Baptism Her Mother's Death Her Father's Removal to Richmond She was placed in Mrs. Reeling's Seminary Her first Missionary Im- prensioM Her Engagement to Mr. Shuck Vindication of Chris- tian Missions, and her Motives Her Letter to Sunday School Scholars Her Marriage Missionaries set apart Mrs. Shuck's Trip to Boston Her farewell Letter to her Father Mr. Hall's Letter and parting Advice to his Daughter. ...PACK 13 CHAPTER II. The Embarkation Parting Scene described by Dr. Malcom Ex- tracts from Mr*. Shuck's Journal and Letters during her Voyage Ship touches at Kedgeree at Amherst Visit to Maulmain Interview with the Missionaries Ship touches at Penang Beautiful Scenery Voyage to Singapore Fear of Pirates Con- version of Bailors 40 CHAPTER III. Singapore The Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Shuck at this Place Ex- tracts from Mrs. Shuck's Correspondence and Journal during her Residence there 83 CHAPTER IV. China Origin of the Name Its History The Provinces of China It* Language Its Religion Confucianism Budhism Ta- ouism Their Incfficacy 73 10 CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. Description of it Extract! from Mrs. Shuck's Letter*, in Chronological Order Difficulty of her Landing Mr. Shuck's Visit to Canton Chinese Burial Orphan Boy School Hopes of Ah Loo's Conversion Letters from America Letter from Mrs. Shuck to Susan Affectionate Exhortation Chinese New Year Baptism of Ah Loo Lord's Supper Chinese Girt, Jane Maria Mrs. ShucK studying; Chinese with Mr. Roberts Translation of Baptism Visit to a Heathen Temple Sickness Birth of a second Child Friends in Macao. 93 CHAPTER VI. to Remarks Correspondence of Mrs. Shuck continued Blind Girl Filial Devotion of Mrs. 8. Ah Loo's Visit to his Friends Goes tii Bnnkok with Mr. Dean Death of Lucius Consola- tory Letter to Mrs. Hall Death of Mrs. Jones Revivals in Ameri- ca Susan's Conversion Mrs. Shuck's Advice to her Fall of Ah Loo Exhortation to Isabella Climate of Macao Severe Illness of Mrs. Shuck Hi-r Feelings Thoughts of sending her Children Home Robbers cause the Death of a Chinaman Rich Orphan Class under Instruction Remarks by the Compiler on the Education of the Children of Missionaries. Ill CHAPTER VII. 1839 Erroneous Views of Missionary Life corrected Mrs. Shuck's Correspondence continued Incident in the Life of her oldest Child A Caution for him Mrs. Shuck's School Cost of sup- porting it Reference to the Death of Lucius Openings for Use- fuliietw in Macao Visiting a Village Mr. Shurk commences preaching in Chinese Visit of Mr. S. and Family to Hong Kong Probability of Mr. Shuck's Return to America Anticipations since realized Her Illness Death of a Young l.nily converted through her Instrumentality 135 CHAPTER VIII. 1840 Mrs. Shuck's Health bad Her Correspondence continued- Dr. Diver's Letter concerning her Sickness War anticipated CONTENTS. 11 Letter from Mrs. 8. to her Sister Pti r\n Resignation Dr. Divert croud Letter Mrs. Shuck's Improving Health HIT Piety Cost of Living She loves the Concert of Prayer for Missions Letter to Isah. lla Fervent Exhortation Resolutions Arrival of the British Fleet Isabella's Conversion Susan's Marriage Her Grandpapa's Death Good Advice to Isabella Pleasing Anticipation*. 148 CHAPTER IX. 1841 Remarks on Mrs. Shuck's Sickness and Recovery Her School War between England and China Prospect of preaching the Gospel without Molestation Chinese Teacher a ho|wful Inquir- er Letter to Robert, simple and affectionate Mrs. Sinn It's So- licitude nnd Efforts for the Salvation of her Sistrrs and Brothers Remarks en the Marriage of her Sisters A Box of Presents Birth of her Daughter, Henrietta Layton Reasons for the Name Friends in Macao Contrast between China and Lancaster. 166 CHAPTER X. 1842-3 Removal to Hong Kong Reasons for removing Mr. 8. raises Money in erect Chapels Becomes assistant Editor of a Paper Prospects of Usefulness Mr. Dean's Arrival Mr*. Shuck pleased in Hong Kong China opening for the Gospel Heat of the Climate Letter to Isabella Various Reflections Letter from Dr. Diver to Mr. Hall Baptisms Brightening Proxpecta Increase of MM. Shuck's domestic Cares Denth of Mrs. Dean Labors of Ihe Missionaries Mrs. S.'s Health poor Proof of het Devotion to Mission! Affectionate Disposition Sickness of Netty Mr. Shuck's Postscript Destitution of the English Sol- dier*' Wivea. 178 CHAPTER XI. 1844 Clonintr Year of Mr*. Shuck's Life Her Correspondence rnn- tinued Manner of spending her Time Progress in the Chines* Language Her Youthful Appearance The Frigate Brnndy wine Mr. W. ill hall's Illness Beautiful Extract Temptations of Missionaries Allusion to Mr*. Dean's Death Solemn Anticipa- tions Remarks concerning Ihem Contributions to Mr*, ^huck'i School Increase of it Obstacles to Female Education Indis- position to Writing Opening School room Lout Letter to her 12 CONTENTS. Father Arrival of Dr. and Mrs. Derail Her Father's Picture Last Letter to her Family Religious Enjoyment Note to Mr*. Keeling Her last Letter Remarks. 200 CHAPTER XII. Brief Sketch of the Rise, Progress, and Condition of the Chinese Baptist Mission Baptisms Encouraging Prospects Mrs. Shuck's Presentiment of her Death Her Preparation for it Mr. Shuck's Letter announcing her Death Extracu from Obit- uary Notices Dr. Devan's Letter to Mr. Hall Mr. Walthall's Letter Conclusion of her Funeral Sermon in Richmond Mr. Heeling's Tribute to Mrs. Shuck's Character Poetry writ- ten on seeing Mr. Shuck's Sons in New York 221 CONCLUSION. Mrs. Shuck's Personal Appearance Her Natural Disposition Her Mental Qualities Quickness of Perception Notes of a Sermon Literary Attainments Her Religious Character, symmetrical. 947 CHAPTER I. Henrietta Hall's Birthplace Parentage Religious Training Ed- ucation Mrs. Little's Letter Her Religious Awakening The Lancaster Camp-meeting Henrietta's Conversion Baptism Her Mother's Death Her Father's Removal to Richmond She was placed in Mr. Reeling's Seminary Her first Missionary Im- pressions Her Engagement to Mr. Shuck Vindication of Chris- tian Missions, and her Motives Her Letter to Sunday School Scholars Her Marriage Missionaries set apart Mrs. Shuck's Trip to Boston Her farewell Letter to her Father Mr. Hall's Letter and parting Advice to bis Daughter. THE peninsula, lying between the Rappahan- nock and Potomac Rivers, in the north eastern part of the state of Virginia, is generally known as the " Northern Neck." It is distinguished as the birthplace of three Presidents of the United States Washington, Madison, and Monroe. In the eastern extremity of the " Neck," in the county of Lancaster, within a few miles of the Chesapeake Bay, is situated the little village of Kilmarnock. Here was born, Oct. the 28th, 1817, Henrietta Hall, (afterwards Mrs. Shuck.) Her parentage on both sides was highly respec- table. Her father, the Rev. Addison Hall, was, in his early years, a successful lawyer. For several sessions he represented his county in the state legislature to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituents. Mr. Hall's mother was a lady of de- cided genius. She wrote two poems of no small 2 14 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. merit ; one on the death of the Rev. Lewis Luns- ford, and the other on that of her brother-in-l;i\r, the Rev. Samuel L. Straughin, both eminent Baptist ministers, her endeared pastors, who were called to their reward in the maturity of their years, and in the zenith of their usefulness. With early culture, and favorable circumstances, she would have been a brilliant ornament of her sex. The maiden name of Henrietta's mother was Susan Edmonds. She was a daughter of Col. Elias Edmonds of Lancaster county a gen- tleman held in deserved estimation by his fellow- citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were both baptized, while young, by the Rev. S. L. Straughan, and admit- ted into the fellowship of the Morattico B-iptist church. They, like Zacharias and Elizabeth, " were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." Henrietta was nurtured in the lap of piety. Her parents were deeply impressed with the importance of training up their children for usefulness and for heaven. Her mind and heart were cultivated with tender solicitude and untiring assiduity. To her infant ears the voice of prayer and praise was familiar. She grew up with the deep and abiding impressions which the family altar, and the family Bible, and sanc- tuary observances were adapted to make on her sensitive mind. Our acquaintance with Henrietta Hall com- menced in the close of the year 1825. She was then a little more than eight years old ; and a bright and lovely child she was. The interview Beems to have made a durable impression on her MRS. LITTLE'S LETTER. 15 memory. In her last letter to us the last which she wrote she referred to it with a vivid recollec- tion and a lively interest. Fortunately for Henrietta, her devoted father entertained enlarged and liberal views on the sub- ject of female instruction. He was desirous to give his daughters a solid and useful education. In her fourteenth year, Henrietta was sent to Fredericksburg, and placed in the school of Mrs. Little, a lady of high reputation as a teacher. How well she deserved this reputation the fol- lowing letter, addressed by her to the Rev. A. Hall, since the death of his daughter, clearly in- dicates. " Dear Sir, I am truly happy to hear that a memoir of your lamented daughter is in a state of prepara- tion. Her active virtues, and devoted missionary labors, will render such a memoir a valuable gift to the public, as well as a cherished memorial to her friends. Most gladly would I furnish any documents in my power, which might aid in preparing the biography of one whose memory is so dear to me. I wish I could recall more vividly the cir- cumstances to which you refer, which occurred while your daughter was a member of my school and family. As a pupil she was very diligent in her studies, and blameless in her course of conduct. Her mind was sprightly, and her disposition ardent, enthusiastic, and sincere. She possessed strong social affections, and was universally beloved by her classmates. Although she had not then 16 MEMOIR OF MBS. SHUCK. ' chosen the good part,' she was not unmindful of the necessity of so doing, and it occurred to me that the best opportunity of directing her serious attention to matters of so great moment would be by close personal conversation, on the subject of her highest interests. With a view to her benefit, as well as that of other of my pupils, I had been accustomed daily to write something new and striking on the black- board, generally a text of Scripture, in the form of a question. On one occasion the question was, " Where shall I be a hundred years hence? " The pupils were requested to give an answer to me privately, after due consideration and solemn reflection. The effect produced on the mind of Henrietta was deep and pungent her words I cannot at this distant period recall, but the intensity of her emotion convinced me that the Lord himself had directed the arrow to its mark. She seemed never afterwards to forget that she was a proba- tioner for an endless state of existence beyond the grave, though she did not then have clear and just ideas of the depravity of her own heart ; there was, therefore, no change in her outward character or conduct. Literary pursuits chiefly occupied her time. She was ambitious to excel in all her studies from her regard for you, whom as a father she highly honored. She seemed determined to exert herself to deserve your approbation and affection. During her vacation, as you know, she was made a partaker of the heavenly gift, and it was gratifying to me to learn that her first serious impressions were received in my school. I never CAMP-MEETING. 17 before so deeply felt the importance of combining religious with literary instructions, and doing all to the glory of God. Your daughter has now completed her pilgrim- age, and gone to her long home. But she still lives in the hearts of surviving friends, who can rejoicingly follow her with the eye of faith, and behold her walking with God, ' high in salvation and the climes of bliss.' To you, my dear sir, what an honor, what a consolation, to have had a child so spiritually engaged, so useful, and now so highly exalted! Permit me to mingle my sympathies with yours, and subscribe myself Very truly your friend, A. J. LITTLE." The summer of 1831 is memorable for the reli- gious revivals which prevailed among the churches, of all evangelical Christian denominations, in Virginia. Wherever the gospel was faithfully preached, a blessing descended from Heaven. Thousands, of all classes of society, were joyfully converted to Christ, and added to the churches. The Baptists of the Northern Neck resolved, after prayer and consultation, to hold a camp-meeting in the month of August, in Lancaster county. This was the first meeting of the kind ever held by the churches of the Baptist denomination in this part of the state. Many, especially among the older brethren, doubted the expediency of ap- pointing such a meeting; they yielded, however, to the wish of the majority. The meeting was attended by the Rev. John Kerr, who has since closed his useful labors, the Rev. J. B. Taylor, 2* 18 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. ' iBr **' the Rev. E. Ball, and other acceptable and effi- cient preachers of the word. We went to the encampment intensely anxious as to the results of the meeting. During the first afternoon of the service, our doubts were succeeded by confidence, and our solicitude by joy. It was apparent that God was with us. The compiler has enjoyed the privilege of attending many religious meet- ings where the divine blessing has been richly bestowed ; but he doubts whether he has ever seen one the results of which have been so inter- esting, so important, so glorious, as of this. A large proportion of the converts were heads of families men of intelligence, respectability, and influence, who have been an honor to their pro- fession, and pillars in the house of God. An im- pulse was then given to the cause of Christ in the Northern Neck which is felt to the present day, and which, we trust, may be felt, with in- creasing power, to the end of time. Henrietta Hall, having returned from Frede- ricksburg to pass the vacation at home, was among the first converts at the meeting. Her convictions of sin were pungent, her feelings deep, and her deliverance joyful. O, it was a season of over- whelming interest and gratitude, when so many pious parents were permitted to embrace their children in the bright anticipation of meeting them before the throne of God, to part no more forever ! On the 2d of Sept., 1831, this young convert, not quite fourteen years old, was baptized by the compiler of this Memoir, then the pastor of the Morattico Baptist church. Her experience was clear, scriptural, and satisfactory. I well remem- HER MOTHER'S DEATH. 19 her that she ascribed her first permanent religious impressions to the solemn question propounded to her by her pious teacher, Mrs. Little, " Where will you be a hundred years hence?" It awak- ened in her bosom serious meditation, a sense of accountability to God, and a conviction of guilt and danger, which, by the divine blessing, led her to repentance, and prepared her for a happy re- ception of the gospel. In obeying the Saviour's positive ordinance of baptism, she obtained, what all who properly obey it will find, " the answer of a good conscience toward God." In her last letter, written but a few hours before her depart- ure from earth, she refers with manifest delight to the event. " 'Twas you, my dear brother Jeter, who led me into the liquid grave. O ! how well do I remember that day, that precious day, and the dear friends, (some, yea, many of them now departed,) who accompanied me to the water's edge." This had been to Henrietta a bright and joyful year, but it was to close in gloom. Her fond and pious mother, after a brief and violent illness, departed this life on the 26th of Dec., 1831, at " Waverly," the family residence in Lancaster. The loss of a mother, at all times one of the severest bereavements which can befall a child, was to Henrietta, just then arrived at the period of life at which maternal counsel and supervision are most needed, peculiarly afflictive. Being the oldest of the children, on her devolved the duty of taking ;i maternal oversight of her little broth- ers and sisters. How faithfully she discharged this duty will appear in the sequel. This unex- pected bereavement made an ineffaceable impres- 20 MEMOIR OF MBS. SHUCK. sion on Henrietta's heart. From this time the world seemed to have but little power to charm her ; and the hope of meeting her dear mother in heaven, which grew into a bright and joyous anticipation, was never long absent from her mind. The following extract from her Journal, penned during her long voyage to the East, may be appropriately introduced here in illustration of this remark. " Dec. 26, (1835.) This day brings with it the recollection of one painful event. On this day four years ago I experienced the loss of one of the kindest and most affectionate of mothers. This indeed caused me to shed tears of sorrow. I was at once totally deprived of her kind atten- tion, which had been bestowed on me from my childhood. Life no longer appeared joyous, but was clothed in gloom and melancholy. 1 looked around for comfort, but, alas ! none was to be found. Five helpless children, a bereaved hus- band, and weeping servants, were all that met my eye. Her vacant chair reminded me of the many delightful seasons I had enjoyed in sitting by her side, and listening to her motherly advice. But now these moments had fled forever her voice was still in death and she, no doubt, had already clasped to her fond bosom her dear little babes, who had gone before her to the abodes of the blest. But why should I indulge these pain- ful thoughts? It was, I am now certain, all for the best. How infinitely happier is she tlnn earth could make her! She is done with dull mortality, and having met her Saviour, is now feasting on his smiles. Nor would I call her HER MOTHER'S DEATH. 21 back to this vain world were it in my power. Ah! no; rest on, sweet mother; I shall only be denied thy endearing society a few more fleeting years then shall I meet with thee, and dear little brothers, in the mansions of glory, to sing the song of the redeemed then shall I be freed from earth with all its dull concerns. And, dearest father, let us follow the footsteps of your beloved consort, and my devoted mother. We know how she lived we know how she died. Her path was one that shone more and more brightly. Though I was not by her (she was at school) to see her bid adieu to scenes below, yet she did not forget her absent Henrietta. You, no doubt, remember her last message to me ' Prove faithful to your Creator, and meet me in heaven.' How important every word ! how tender and affectionate ! Do, dear pa., pray that I may in- deed ' prove faithful ' that I may, as she did, adorn the profession which I have made. You cannot, my parent, imagine my feelings when I think of our next meeting. O ! that we, with all the dear children, may meet my mother in the realms of unfading bliss. It seems that I cannot wait for death it appears too long to be away from heaven. I feel ready to exclaim, ' O, for some dove's extended wings ! ' But this cannot be I must remain below a little longer I must be active a little while in my blessed Saviour's cause I must endeavor to tell the dying heathen the story of Jesus, that they too may know how to praise, and how to serve him. Yes, let me live as long as God shall see fit, and let me be eminently useful while I live." About this period, (1832,) Col. Hall (he held 22 MEMOIR OF MRS. iHUCK. this rank in the militia) determined to abandon the lucrative profession of law, and devote him- self to the work of the Christian ministry. In the beginning of 1835, having received the ap- pointment of general agent of the American Colo- nization Society, for the state of Virginia, he removed with his family to the city of Richmond. Here Miss H ill, with her fuher and step-mother, became members of the First Baptist Church, then under the pastoral charge of the Rev. J. T. Hinton. She entered the female seminary taught by the Rev. H. Keeling and his 1 idy ; and ap- plied herself assiduously to her studies. On leaving the institution, she received, unsolicited, testimonials of the most satisfactory character. Between her and her pious teachers a friendship was fanned which flourished, as the reader will find in the progress of this work, till the close of her valuable life. Miss Hall, from the commencement of her reli- gious life, seems to have cherished the mission- ary spirit. This spirit she wis likely to imbibe. Her disposition, ardent, bordering on the romantic her reading her associations the frequent conversations on Christian missions in her father's family and, above all, her fervent piety, would have led an intelligent observer to expect, that she would have a desire to emulate the example of the devoted and excellent women, whose labors and sufferings, in the missionary enterprise, have awakened, throughout the Christian world, so lively an interest, and so deep a sympathy. The Rev. J. Lewis Shuck, a student of the Virginia Baptist Seminary, now Richmond Col- lege, having been accepted, by the Board of the LETTER TO MRS. KEELING. 23 Baptist Triennial Convention, as a missionary to China, invited Miss Hall to accompany him, as the companion of his toils and the sharer of his joys and sorrows. To this proposal, after anxious deliberation, consultation with her friends, and earnest prayer for divine guidance, she assented. In anticipation of her union with Mr. Shuck, the following letter the earliest of her letters which have come into our hands was written to her friend, Mrs. Keeling. ' RICHMOND, JUNE 2~>, 1835. If I mistake not, my beloved teacher promised to write me a long letter ; but th it wished-for favor has not yet arrived. I hope, however, it is not far distant. I do, indeed, need instruction, and I wish to receive it from you, because I am well convinced it would be altogether correct. You said, yesterday, you were afraid I did not love you because you spoke so freely to me. Quite the contrary I love you but the more. And when you or Mr. Keeling discover any thing improper in my deportment, whether in or out of school, do not, for a moment, hesitate to tell me of it, so that I may guard against the same another time. Rely on it, I will take it kindly. ' Those indeed, are our friends who tell us of our fiults.' You seem to think hardly of me for not talking to you on some certain subjects. No doubt, you know whence proceeds my backwardness. The cause of missions, dearest teacher, lies near my heart. I feel greatly for the poor, dying heathen. The sincere prayer of my heart is, O that I were qualified to become a missionary 24 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. of the cross ! How gladly would I enter the field of labor, although it would cause torrents of tears to roll down my cheeks. Many a pang of sorrow would my bosom feel to part with a be- loved father, kind mother, dear sisters and brothers, who are dearer to me than all the world beside. Yet, if by parting with all that's dear by the ties of nature, I could promote the cause of Christ in heathen lands, I would, leaving them in the hands of an allwise Protector, take the parting hand, and amongst the benighted heathen would I labor until death. And if, at last, I should be the means of rescuing one heathen from eternal woe, I should be amply compensated for all the difficulties and trials which I might have to undergo. I am well convinced, dearest teacher, that the life of a missionary is by no means an easy one ; to the comfort and ease of this world she is a stranger ; but she enjoys, what, in my estimation, is far better, the presence of the Most High. When you write, tell me what books you think it would be advisable for me to read. I am very fond of reading, and will take care to peruse with great attention all you mention. With whom do you think I should chiefly associate ? I ask these questions because I know you to be a woman of judgment, and I can, with perfect safety, do any thing you or Mr. K. bid me. I must request you and Mr. K. to remember me at a throne of grace. Do, my teachers, pray that I may be useful in the work of the Lord. I am yours forever, dear teacher, in the strong- est ties of affection. HENRIETTA." DUTY TO THE HEATHEH. 25 We are aware that to many persons, and some of these professors of a spiritual Christianity, the feelings and sentiments displayed in the above letter will appear enthusiastic and visionary. The heathen, in their judgment, are in a state of safe and happy ignorance ; and those who would disturb their repose, by proclaiming in their ears the divine denunciations against sin, are pestilent intruders. With such persons let us reason a moment. If the Bible is a revelation from God, it is supremely important that a knowledge of it should be spread among all nations. On this principle Christ and his apostles acted. The last solemn command of the risen Saviour to his chosen disciples was, to proclaim the gospel among all nations, and to every creature. The rich legacy which he bequeathed to his favorites, was the privilege of filling the world with the light of salvation. And faithfully did they obey the command, and well did they appreciate the privilege. They set themselves, in good earnest, to preach the gospel to every creature under heaven. And so deeply were they impressed with the magnitude and importance of their mis- sion, that they cheerfully performed the most arduous toils, and endured the most cruel perse- cutions, in its performance. It would betray an ignorance of human nature to suppose that in one so young, and of tempera- ment so ardent, as Miss Hall, romantic feelings did not, in some degree, mingle with high and holy motives. Bat that, in the main, her views were enlightened, her principles sound, and hei affections pure and spiritual, her subsequent zeal sacrifices, and labors in the Redeemer's cause 3 * 26 MEMOIR OP MRS. SHUCK. continued without abatement to the very close of .life, her amiable and consistent deportment, and .her joyous anticipation of heaven, when brought by disease to the verge of the grave, furnish most decisive proofs. Miss Hall was married to the Rev. J. Lewis .Shuck, Sept 8th, 1835, by the Rev. H. Keeling, preparatory to their immediate departure for the .East. At the time of her marriage, Mrs. Shuck was not quite eighteen years old. If it should be thought that she was too young and inexpe- rienced to enter on the responsible duties of a missionary's wife, let it be considered that this objection, whatever might have been its weight, was every day diminishing until it entirely dis- appeared. The sainted Mrs. Newell, whose career was so brief and so brilliant, was only nineteen years old when she died in the Isle of France. Frorn the time of her removal to the city of Richmond, Miss Hall had been a diligent teacher in the Sunday School connected with the First Baptist Church. A few days before her depart- ure to the East, she addressed the following very affectionate letter to her pupils. "Very Dear Children, Although my time is extremely limited, I cannot think of parting with you without address- ing you a few farewell lines. The manner in which you have received my feeble instruction, and the whole of your deportment, have pleased me inexpressibly. This pleasure I shall no more enjoy on earth. I must soon bid you a final adieu. The regard I feel for you all prompts SET APART AS A MISSIONARY. 27 me to seize the present opportunity, to exhort you to flee from the wrath to come. ' Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.' Youth is the most suita- ble time to serve the Lord; then let me exhort you to give your hearts to the Redeemer. Many precious promises are made to the young. I shall in a short time be traversing the pathless ocean, encompassed by dangers, far from the paternal roof, and the much loved scenes of my childhood, and -far from you, my dear scholars; but I shall not cease to think of you, yes, I shall often try to make intercession for you at the mercy seat. Although in the course of a few months oceans will roll between us, sometimes think of your youthful teacher, and remember how ardently she longs for your salvation. Love to the souls of the poor perishing heathen constrains me to forsake the innumerable enjoy- ments of my own dear, lovely country, and take up my abode in a land of moral darkness. I go cheerfully, yes, I long to be pointing the wretched idolaters to the Lamb of God, which alone can take away sin. And now I must bid you an affectionate farewell. Our next meeting will be in the presence of the great Judge of heaven and earth. Farewell, my dear girls, farewell, on earth to meet no morel O, may we meet in heaven above, Where all U joy, and peace, and lore. Your affectionate friend, HENRIETTA." On the 10th of September, 1835, the Rev. J. Lewis Shuck, and the Rev. Robert D. Davenport, 28 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. with their companions, were solemnly set apart in the First Baptist Church, Richmond, to the work of missions in the East. Mr. and Mrs. Shuck were destined for China, and Mr. and Mrs. Davenport for Siam. The religious ser- vices on the occasion are represented as having been peculiarly interesting and affecting. The ministers present were brethren Ball, Hume, Hatchett, Nelson, Taylor, and Keeling. At the close of the public exercises, the pastors, members of the churches, and most of the large and deeply- impressed congregation, gave to the beloved mis- sionaries the parting hand to Mrs. Shuck it was the final adieu. The following day the missionaries embarked for Boston. They were followed by the warm affection, tender sympathies, and earnest prayers of many Christian hearts. The following letter gives an account of the journey to Boston, and the arrangements for the Eastern voyage. "BOSTON, SEPT. 18, 1835. Very Dear Sister Keeling, According to promise I have seated myself for the purpose of writing you a short letter ; and 1 dare say it will be gratifying to all our dear friends in Richmond to hear from us. We had a pleasant trip down the James River, on board the steamer Patrick Henry, the day we left Rich- mond. Peculiar emotions thrilled our bosoms as the ' hills, and dales,' and fields, of our native state, faded in the distance. Still we were cheer- ful and happy, and rejoiced together. About 2 o'clock we arrived in Hampton Roads, and removed ourselves and our baggage on board the LETTER TO HER FATHER. 29 steamer Pocahontas. We travelled all night, and the bay (Chesapeake) being very rough, we were nearly all seasick. I never was sicker in my life. We arrived in Baltimore the next day by 8 o'clock. We spent Saturday and Sunday there. Mr. S. preached in the Calvert St. Church in the morning, and in the Sharp St. Church in the afternoon. At night we heard a sermon from the Rev. Mr. R., a Presbyterian missionary, just returned from Bombay. Having been kindly entertained in B., by brother C. and his family, we left at 6 o'clock on Monday morning for Philadelphia; at which place we arrived at 3 o'clock P. M., and were hospitably received by brother K. and his wife. We left P. Tuesday morning at 6 o'clock, and arrived in New York, by steamboat and railroad, at 2 o'clock the same day. After viewing the city a short time, we went on board the steamer Provi- dence. Dr. Going, and brother J. L. Dagg, heard that we were there, and came on board to see us. Their Christian company we enjoyed only a few moments, as we left the city at 5 o'clock. We arrived next day at Providence at 10, and here at 12 o'clock. We have been kindly received, and hospitably entertained in Boston. The name of the vessel in which we are to go is the ' Louvre.' From what we can learn we shall be better accommo- dated, as to vessel and company, than any mis- sionaries who have left the United States. There are twenty-two of us in company nine married couples, and four single persons. We expect to sail next Monday morning. I feel contented and happy . happy because 1 expect erelong, should 3* 30 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. my life be spared, to be surrounded by heathen children, and, O! what a delightful task to teach them, and point them to the Lamb of God ! Mr. Sutton (a missionary from the East on a visit to this country) has with him a little Hindoo girl. She is very interesting. Sister S. is an amiable woman. 1 have seen all the females who will accompany us. Frances (Mrs. Davenport) and myself are the youngest of them. There is one twenty years of age ; the others are much older. I am very much hurried, so you must excuse all errors. * * * * Arid now, dear sister, farewell. Pray for us often you know we are young, and need your prayers and advice. Write to us also. I am yours forever in the bonds of love. H. S." Mrs. Shuck was accompanied to Boston by her devoted father and step-mother. She had taken a final leave of her brothers and sisters. It was a painful separation, but the most trying conflict was yet to come. To give the parting hand, and parting kiss, to a fond and venerated father, without the prospect of meeting him again on earth, was, to one whose affection was so fer- vent as was hers, almost too much for ' flesh and blood' to bear. The following letter, enclos- ing a lock of her hair, displays the strength of her affections and the tempest of her emotions. BOSTON, SKPT. 18, 1835. I have parted with dear little brothers I have taken the last look at my dear sisters I have bid a final adieu to the place of my nativity ; but, O ! the trying hour has not yet arrived. One PARTING LETTER. 31 more day, and I shall have to extend the ' part- ing hand ' to him who, with a tender parent's eye, has watched over rae from my infancy. ' Trying period," I may call it. Ah ! soul-thrill- ing word, I must pronounce thee Farewell! I have to say farewell to those I fondly love. O my father, it is hard 'tis trying to thy daughter's heart to bid thee a final farewell. My feelings at this moment are very different from any I have ever (before) experienced. Often have I parted with you I have been separated from you for some months (at a time) but now I bid you adieu no more to see you no more to have your kind attention no more to bend the knee with you around the family altar. But, dear fathor, when I say ' no more ' to meet, I speak of this world. Yes, we shall meet again in a world of glory. We shall not be separated long ; the longest life is at "best but short. I would not be deprived of the hope of meeting you again for the weilth of Peru ; no, millions of worlds could not bribe me to give up the glorious hope. It will continue both sure and steadfast to the end, and though the deep may roll between us, and we may be separated by thousands of miles, we shall soon be called to take up our abode in the paradise above, ' where adieus and farewells are sounds unknown.' 'Tis there, dearest father, we shall meet to part no more. Let us remem- ber, dear p irent, for whom we make this sacrifice who bids thy daughter go and I am certain we cannot murmur ; we can but part joyfully. Yes, 'tis my Saviour I am obeying. O ! do not for a moment think that I do not possess ardent love for you. Ah ! no, you can 32 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. not think so. I love you as dearly as a daughter can love a father. I love all my dear friends, but I love my Saviour better. I hope, my dear- est parent, you will pray often for your fond child, who is about to say to you, ' Adieu.' Recollect what a responsible work she has engaged in, and you know it requires ardent piety. Pray that I may possess more real, heart- felt religion. Dear father, I am united to one who, I believe, will do all in his power to render me happy. He loves the Lord, and I love him more for that. And now, dear parent, as I am very much hurried, I must draw to a close, 'although I assure you it is with reluctance that I do so. I could write all day to you, and not be tired, but the shortness of the time bids me stop. Remember me to all the dear Christian friends of Lancaster. Dear native spot, it never before seemed so sweet. Ask my friends to remember me at the ' mercy seat.' And now, dear father, mother, sisters, brothers, happy country, all adieu. 'Tis in obedience to the command of my dying, but now risen Jesus, that I now leave you. Farewell ! Farewell ! ! I am now, and forever shall be, dear father, your most affectionate and devoted daughter, HENRIETTA." At the moment that Mrs. Shuck handed the above letter, with a handsome New Testament, to her father, on board the Louvre, he, without any concert, presented her with a beautiful Bi- ble, and put into her hands the following parting letter, with a ' few private thoughts ' annexed. We have several reasons for publishing this docu- LETTER FROM HER FATHER. 33 ment entire. It is intrinsically excellent it fur- nishes the reader a specimen of the methods by which Mr. Hall aimed to train his daughter for usefulness and it exerted, as we learn from an unquestionable source, a most potent and happy influence in moulding her character. She fre- quently alluded to it in a manner that indicated that the advice, in itself so judicious, given by one so venerated, and under circumstances so fitted to impress the heart, was not lost. " BOSTOW, SEPT. 20, 1835. My Dear Henrietta, The time is at hand when you are to bid adieu to the land of your birth, to enter upon a mission of mercy to a distant and heathenish portion of our nice. If commissioned upon this embassage of peace and salvation to perishing sinners by the King of kings, I doubt not he will furnish you with such instructions, and afford you such encouragement and support, as will enable you to accomplish the object of your mission. God will not, however, speak audibly in your ears, and you will have to receive his communi- cations through the medium of his word, his ser- vants, and by his Spirit operating upon your heart, and moving you in the path of duty. Placed in the endearing relation to you of a father, it imy not be contrary to the will of our heavenly Father, that I should assume the duty of imparting some instruction to you, touching the important business upon which you are about to enter. I have no reason to doubt the correctness of the motives which influence you ; the sacrifice of 34 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. all further personal intercourse on earth with so many dear friends, to encounter the dangers of the ocean, and to live and die amongst unculti- vated heathen, would seem to be proof enough of disinterestedness, did we not know the pride and deceitfulness of the human heart. The desire of distinction, love of novelty, &-c., are such insidious motives that sometimes they assume the name of philanthropy, and it requires great cau- tion and much self-examination to detect them. On this point I need not enlarge. You know that for more than twelve months you have had my thoughts upon it. You have, as I trust, prayerfully and deliberately considered the sub- ject, in all its bearings, and you have decided to go. In making this decision you have subjected yourself to many unkind remarks from the illibe- ral, the ignorant, and the wicked, some of which may have reached your ears, but by far the greater part have been uttered out of your hearing. To say that / have no fears whatever for you, would be untrue. 'Tis what, I presume, you would not venture to say for yourself. We should distrust, and jealously watch every motive which has so much to do with self. While I would not myself, nor would I have you, indulge a confi- dent boasting in regard to this matter, at the same time, I am free to express the opinion, that so far as we can judge, it is the will of God that you should take this step. If we be mistaken, I trust that he will pardon our blindness, and over- rule all for good. You have, my dear child, taken upon you the name and office of a missionary a name and office which a Judson, and Newell, and Morrison, LETTER FROM HER FATHER. 35 and Gut/luff, and others, have caused to be asso- ciated with honor ; but you must remember that they are not necessarily thus associated. The reputation which those missionaries who have preceded you have attained cannot be transferred to you. By patient, continued and faithful labor in the cause of Christ, must you win and share the honors of a missionary life. Whilst the result of your toils, in this cause may confer some degree of honor upon yourself, let it not be for- gotten that this is the least consideration which should animate you. The glory of God, and the good of souls, should move you to the same exertions, were you confident that in this world your motives would be impugned, and your name brought into disrepute. For the sake of the cause, however, in which you are engaged, it should be your care to gain a standing with the world (at least the Christian world) for a high degree of moral and religious worth. Aim at high attainments in personal piety not such as will cause you to feel like the Phari- see, when he said, ' God, I thank thee,' &c. ; but rather such as will humble you, and bring you to the foot of the cross, and cause you to adopt the prayer of the publican, ' God, be merciful to me a sinner ! ' MONDAY, SEPT. 21, 1835. Since writing the above, we have attended the meeting for the public designation of your coin- puny as missionaries, and we have heard the official instructions of the Board. Those instruc- tions are the result of age and experience, and contain all, perhaps, that is necessary for your guidance ; and I shall, without repeating such 36 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. thoughts as are there suggested, only insist with PARENTAL EARNESTNESS that you pay strict regard to them. There is one thought that I would here impress deeply upon your mind, and that is, that you have enlisted for life; and that unless extraor- dinary occurrences of Providence shall otherwise indicate, you are NEVER TO RETURN TO AMERICA NEVER, unless the Board here shall advise and require it. I part with you with all the feelings of nature, and shall, when let down to the feeling point, (for I am now above it,) weep on account of our separation ; but I assure you that I do not regret that you are going. Assure me that all is right in motive with us all, and that God requires it, and I rejoice in the prospect of your living and dying on heathen ground. I should look upon it as a lasting stigma were you to become tired of your vocation, and quit the service in which you have engaged. Although you have reflected on many trials and difficulties that may attend you, after all, you perhaps have not thought of half that you will experience. Prepare your mind for the worst. You should not, however, doubt the faith- fulness of God, that he will be with you always. In your intercourse with your co-laborers in the same service, I hope you will find much pleas- ure. Catch all their virtues, and avoid all their foibles, (if they have any.) You will have much time during the voyage and afterwards, it is proba- ble, for devotion, reading and reflection. Endeavor to improve it. Lay in a good stock of useful knowledge, and do not consider your education LETTER FROM HER FATHER. 37 as yet complete. Take care of minutes, and have system in all your affairs. Remember those you leave behind ; your brothers, sisters, friends. Pray for them, and write to them. I find I have not opportunity to write more. We part in a short time, to meet no more on earth! But we shall meet again SHORTLY in HEAVEN ! Till then, FAREWELL! Your Father, ADDISON HALL." wj few Private Thoughts for Henrietta. You will find, in many books, rules, and good rules, for the government of your conduct in respect to your husband ; but you may not meet with them, or if you do you may not subscribe to them so entirely as to practise them. You will find the sum and substance of your duty in this respect in a volume which you will always, I trust, have near you the Bible. If you observe strictly the directions therein contained, you will find your account in it. Your happiness and usefulness, depend on it, is intimately connected with the manner in which you observe these rules. One principle must, of necessity, be acted on, and that is, that you must yield to the will of your husband, whenever the point is made ; this must be the case, or he must submit to you. I do not mean that it is necessary to yield a forced obedi- ence, but a willing one. God has constituted the man, as the stronger in mind and body, to have the government ; and in proportion as you may be disposed to usurp the authority which belongs to him, you destroy the order of Provi- 4 58 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK dence, and the harmony of the connubial state. Never oppose, therefore, the will of your husband. You may reason with and persuade him, but do not attempt to dictate to him. ' I WILL,' and ' I WON'T,' are words which should not be found in a wife's vocabulary. Never use them to your husband, or you may force him to adopt such as he may lawfully do, but such as he should never have occasion for ' YOU SHALL,' and ' YOU SHALL NOT.' Don't fret at or quarrel with your husband on any occasion. He is fallible, and may some- times err, and may speak unadvisedly ; but on euch occasions be silent and affectionate, and you will reform him. Be always neat and cleanly in your person and dress, and you will increase his love and respect for you. A sluttish appearance in a wife distresses, and may even disgust, a husband. Little differences may, and sometimes will, occur between a man and his wife. Should you find this your case, take the earliest opportunity of making the first overture of reconciliation. You will thereby heal the wound, and increase the love of your husband. When you reach your place of destination, and your husband is necessarily compelled to be often absent from you, do not take it as evidence of his want of affection. If he stay beyond the time expected, meet him on his return with smiles and caresses; and, depend on it, he will be thereby induced to hasten home when other- wise he might not. Make HOME the quietest and happiest place, and he will love it. Your husband may die before you. In that LETTER FROM HER FATHER. 39 event, remember, that if I am living, you should take no important step without my advice, how- ever distant, if it can be avoided. If it be im- possible to get that advice, go to the pious and experienced with whom you may be associated. Improve your handwriting it needs it Do not be impatient when you are sick you are rather predisposed that way. Take great care of your health : avoid the sun when it is hot, and the dews, and ail improper food, and don't take medicine too freely, and without great caution. Avoid careless habits in every respect. 'A place for every thing, and every thing in its place.' A. HALL. BOSTON, SXPT. 21, 1835." (40) CHAPTER II. The Embarkation Parting Scene described by Dr. Malcom Ex- tracts from Mrs. Shuck'* Journal and Letters during tier Voyage Ship touches tit Kedgeree at Amherst Visit to Maulmain Interview with the Missionaries Ship touches at Penang Beautiful Scenery Voyage to Singapore Fear of Pirates Con- version of Sailors. THE morning of the 22d of Sept. has come has passed the parting hand has been pressed, and the parting tear shed the Louvre, freighted with the treasures of salvation for the perishing heathen, is careering over the billows of the vast Atlantic and the passengers have seen, receding and vanishing in the distance, the shores of their favored and fondly-remembered country. The parting scene is thus described by Dr. Malcom, who went out in the Louvre as an agent of the Board of the Baptist Triennial Convention to visit their mission stations in the East. " How cordial and comprehensive are the sym- pathies of true religion ! Who that saw the Lou- vre, with her eleven ordained ministers, about to spread her canvass, could fail to contrast the scene with ordinary shipping operations ! Over all the wharf is one dense mass of grave and silent spectators, while the decks and rigging of the adjacent ships are filled with younger, but not less intent observers. No sound interrupts PASTING SCENE. 41 the ascending prayer. The full harmony of a thousand voices wafts to Heaven the touching hymn. Countless hands, thrust toward the narrow passway, seek the last token of recognition. Even the aged, unaccustomed to tears, weep, not in bit- terness, but in exuberance of love. But here are none of the customary induce- ments to convene a crowd. A ship sailing with passengers is no novelty. One of the number was, indeed, the pastor of a large and most affec- tionate congregation ; but with the others, in gen- eral, the multitude had no acquaintance. Personal attachments, therefore, had not assembled the people. There was, in fact, nothing in the scene which could call forth a general interest, but its religious character. The regular packet, crowded with passengers, leaves our shores, while only here and there a group of personal friends look on with interest. The merchantman unfurls his sails, but his destination and objects are not regarded. But the missionary ! he awakens the sympathy of every believer. Stranger though he may be, all press to grasp his hand ; and, when gone, all intercede for him with God. Even de- nominational prejudices are forgotten, and every sect mingles in the throng, exulting in a common joy- Never did a ship leave Boston harbor more nobly. A fine wind, and favoring tide, bore us so rapidly as scarcely to leave us time to gaze one lingering farewell to the faint outlines of the great and beautiful city. In two hours the pilot left us, bearing brief notes of affectionate remembrance to friends behind." The voyage, so auspiciously commenced, proves 4* 42 MEMOIR OF MBS. SHUCK. to be long and tedious. Mrs. Shuck kept a jour- nal during the voyage for the special perusal of her father, and wrote several letters to her rela- tives and friends. Some extracts from these, in chronological order, will furnish the reader, not only a sufficient account of the voyage, but a just idea of the writer's spirit. Journal. " Sept. 30. Owing to constant sea- sickness, I have been entirely unable to write any since I left the shores of my own loved, native land ; however, I feel much better to-day. This is the regular afternoon for the female missionary prayer meeting in Richmond. I hope those dear young friends will be more frequent, fervent, and persevering, in their petitions to their heavenly Father, now, since two of their number have left them for a heathen land. It is truly comforting to me to know, that so many of my dear Christian friends have promised to remember me at a mercy seat ; and when I shall be tempted on all sides, and be in the midst of a people who know not the Lord Jesus, then it will be truly sweet to think that I am borne upon the wings of faith before Jehovah's throne, by many, many in America ! Oct. 1. Truly the Lord has favored us. We have been sailing but ten days, and are now 1500 miles from Boston. This is the first time I have been able to attend family worship since sailing. I felt truly happy to bow the knee once again with others. 3. My thoughts to-day, dear pa', have been much with you all. I feel an increasing concern for the welfare of my dear sisters and brothers. May they all, as soon as they arrive at the age of LETTER TO HEE FATHER. 43 maturity, give their hearts to the Saviour ! I can- not bear to think of parting with them in another world. But especially have I thought of sister Susan she is now old enough to know something of that religion which the Bible teaches. If she were called to exchange worlds, I fear she would be eternally lost. The earliest impressions are by far the most lasting. Do, dearest father, endeavor to impress on the tender minds of the children the solemn truth, that unless they repent they must be forever lost. What you teach them now will have great bearing on them throughout their lives. That we may, after lives filled up with usefulness, meet in the regions of perfect love and happiness, is now, and shall always be, my constant prayer." A Letter. "Ocr. 6, LAT. 34, Lou. 40, W. My much-loved Father, No doubt you are already anxious to hear from your dear absent child, although it has been so short a time since we enjoyed each other's company. Your very kind and affectionate letters were read by me with no ordinary feelings. If ever I felt disposed to hearken to advice, it was whilst reading the last lines I received from you ; and if ever advice appeared to be of the right kind, it was contained in your three letters. O that the Lord may assist me in endeavoring to profit by it ! Dear father, I experience now the reality of eome of those feelings which have for some time burned within my bosom. Yes, I have parted 44 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. with friends; I have left the shores of my own dear native land ; I am now travelling the mighty deep, and soon J hope to enter a field of labor amongst the perishing heathen. I have taken on me the responsible name of a missionary a name too honorable for me to bear, an unworthy worm of the dust. I have, indeed, often wished that I might be useful in the cause of my heavenly Master, in some humble way. We, poor ignorant beings, cannot divest our- selves of human nature. We are apt to be self- ish ; are liable to fall into errors ; are, by far, too apt to mistake our own feelings as the impulses of duty. Our hearts are deceitful above all things and desperately wicked especially mine is ; yet, vile and polluted as I am, I think I have endeav- ored to examine well into my motives, and have come to this conclusion, that nothing, save the glory of God and the good of souls, could have prompted me to take the step which I have taken. You seem to wish the idea, ' that I have en- listed for life,' deeply impressed on my mind. The thought that I am to get tired of my duty, and forsake a field of usefulness, is one on which I delight not to dwell ; although, when my eyes glanced over the words of your letter, ' You are never to return to America,' my feelings seemed to be entirely new. Yet, if I know my own de- praved heart, I feel willing, yea, anxious, if it be the will of Heaven, to live and die without ever again beholding the land of my nativity and the friends of my childhood. It is sufficient to know that I do it for Christ. To him can I go in every time of trouble, and from him do I expect to receive every good and perfect gift." LETTER TO HER SISTER. 45 Letter to Aer Sister Susan. "ATLANTIC, OCT. 24. Very dear Sister, I cannot refuse myself the gratification of writing to you this afternoon, although I feel very dull about the head. I have been thinking a great deal of your dear, never-dying soul lately. You cannot imagine the horror which fills my mind as I meditate on the solemn truth that you are unprepared for death. Dear sister, it is time for you to awake. Eternity is at hand ; the day of your death is approaching, and still you seem to take but little thought of your precious soul. I have parted from you, never expecting to see you again on this side eternity. I feel no sorrow at having done so. I am willing to see you no more in the flesh. But, O my sister, the thought that we may be separated in another world is too painful to dwell on ; and yet it must be so, unless you resign your heart into the hands of an all-wise Protector. Put this not off, I beseech you, dear sister, for some future day. The day you appoint may never come. I was reading a narrative, the other day, which I will here insert for your perusal. Do not read it with a careless eye, you may be reading a case simi- lar to your own. ' Shortly after my settlement in the ministry,' says Mr. Abbot, ' I observed in the congregation a young lady, whose blooming countenance and cheerful air showed perfect health and high elation of spirits. Her appearance at once sat- isfied me that she was amiable, but thoughtless. There was no one of my charge whose prospects for long life were more promising than hers, and, 46 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. perhaps, no one who looked to the future with more pleasing hopes of enjoyment. To her the world seemed bright. She often said she wished to enjoy more of it before she became a Christian. Louisa (for by that name I shall call her) mani- fested no particular hostility to religion, but wish- ed to live a gay and merry life, till just before her death, and then to become pious and happy. She was constant in her attendance at church, and while others seemed moved by the exhibitions of a Saviour's love, she seemed entirely unaffected. Upon whatever subject I preached, her counte- nance retained the same marks of indifference and unconcern. The same easy smile played upon her features whether sin or death, heaven or hell, was the theme of discourse. One evening, I invited a few of the ladies of my society to meet at my house. She came with her compan- ions. I had sought the interview with them, that I might more directly urge upon them the impor- tance of religion. All in the room were affected, and she, though evidently moved, endeavored to conceal her feelings. The interest in this great subject manifested by those present was such, that I informed them that I would meet, in a week from that time, any who wished for personal con- versation. The appointed evening arrived, and I was pleased to see, with two or three others, Louisa enter my house. I conversed with each one individually. They generally, with much frankness, expressed their state of feeling. Most of them expressed much solicitude respecting their eternal interests. Louisa appeared different from the rest. She was anxious, and unable to conceal her anxiety, and yet ashamed to have it LETTER TO HER SISTER. 47 known she had come to converse with me on the subject of religion, and yet was making an evident effort to appear indifferent. I had long felt interested in Louisa, and was glad of this opportunity to converse with her. " Louisa," said I, " I am happy to see you here this evening, and particularly so as you have come interested in the subject of religion." She made no reply. "Have you been long thinking about this subject, Louisa?" " I always thought the subject important, sir, but have not attended to it as I suppose I ought." I conversed longer with her, but she continued to think she did (not) feel sufficiently her need of a Saviour. After addressing a few general remarks to my young friends, we kneeled in prayer, and the interview closed. Another meeting was ap- pointed. Louisa again made her appearance with the same young ladies, and a few others. She appeared much more deeply impressed. I com- menced a conversation with her first. She, in reply to a question of mine, said, " I think, sir, it is time for me to attend to my immortal soul. I have neglected it too long." She seemed to be a true penitent, but knew not how to get rid of sin. After conversing with the others, our meeting closed, and a similar appointment was made for the next week. Some young ladies appeared, but Louisa was absent a slight cold detained her. The next week, however, Louisa was present, but seemed more careless than before. This, however, was the last time she met with us ; but, alas ! I was soon called to see her under circum- stances different from what had been anticipated Months passed, and not seeing L. at our meet- ings, (which continued until many became con 48 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. verted,) I almost forgot her, when one day, as I was riding out, I was informed that she was ill, and wished to see me. I was soon in her sick chamber. She had taken a violent cold, and it had settled into a fever. She was lying in her bed, her cheek glowing with a feverish hue, and her lips parched with thirst. She seemed agi- tated when I entered the room, and the moment I stood by her bed-side, and inquired how she did, she covered her face with her hands, and burst into a flood of tears. Her sister, who was by her side, turned to me, and said, " Sir, she is in great distress of mind : mental agony has kept her awake nearly all night. She has wished often to see you, that she might converse with you on the subject of religion." I was fearful the agitation she manifested might seriously injure her health, and did all I could consistently to soothe her. " But, sir," said Louisa, " I am sick, and may die ; I know that I am not a Christian, and O ! if I die in this state of mind, what will become of me? what will become of me?" and again burst into tears. What could I say ? Every word she uttered was true. Her eyes were opened to her danger. There was indeed cause for alarm. Sickness was upon her. Delirium might soon ensue ; death might be very neai ; and her soul was unprepared to appear before God. She saw it all ; she felt it all. Fever was burning in her veins, but she forgot hor pains in view of ap- proaching judgment. I told her that the Lord was good, and that he was ready to hear her prayer. " But, sir," said she, " I have known my duty too long, and have neglected it. I have been ashamed of Christ, and have grieved away LETTER TO HER SISTER. 49 the Spirit ; and now I am likely to die, and am unprepared. O! if I were a Christian, I would be willing to die." I told her of a Saviour's love, and endeavored to induce her to resign herself calmly into his hands ; but all proved unavailing. I called again the next day to see her. She still was greatly distressed : no comfort could she find. Tossed from side to side by fever, on a sick bed, she lay almost ready to sink into the grave. I left her almost ready to go deranged, but was greatly in hopes of hearing, when I called again, that she was better ; but, alas ! how disappointed I was, when I again went to see her ! " How is Louisa, this morning ? " was my first inquiry. " She is dead, sir," was the reply. " At what time did she die?" " About midnight." Thus, dear sister, died a young, lovely female, without hope in God. You see what procrastina- tion brought her to. O ! will you not take heed, and ' seek the Lord while he may be found ' ? My dear sister, did you know what joys flow from religion, I am sure you would no longer serve Satan, but you would serve God. Will you not, after reading the incident I have related, be wise, defer it no longer, but determine to come out from the world, and declare yourself to be on the Lord's side? How many young girls, younger than yourself, have openly professed to be the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus ! Take poor little M., for example. See how amia- ble she was, and how suddenly she was called to pass from time to eternity. Suppose she had de- layed seeking the Lord, what a sad condition would hers have been ! But, ah ! no, she 5 50 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. sought him and he was found by her, and now she is rejoicing, with holy angels, clothed in a robe made white in the blood of Jesus. She has bid adieu to all the cares and sorrows of this ' vain, delusive world.' Dear sister, ask yourself this question ' If I were dead, could the same things be said of me?' I am certain your answer would be, ' No! ' Well, this is a solemn thought. You know not but that you may be taken away in the morning of life, just as dear little M. was. I have addressed this to you, as you are the older, but I mean it for Isabella too. I hope both of you will read it think of Louisa, and flee to the arms of a crucified Saviour, that your condi- tion may not be similar to hers. I cannot bear the thought, dear children, of never meeting you in this world, nor in the world to come. I often retire from the view of all, where no eye can see, and no ear can hear, but God's, and pray that you may soon feel the par- doning love of the Saviour. I have prayed more fervently for this since I left you, than ever I did before. Kiss dear Addison, William, Robert, and Lucius dear, dear children, I can scarcely think of them but I weep. Tell them why I have left them : tell them to be good children, and meet me in heaven. And now, my dear sister, I must draw to a close. O that we may all meet in heaven, where we shall part no more sin no more suffer no more. Journal "Oct. 28. This is my birthday. Eighteen years of my life have passed forever. I am truly grieved to know that so little of my EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL. 51 time has been devoted to my heavenly Father. He has been heaping on me innumerable mer- cies from the dawn of my existence to the present moment ; and, O ! what base ingratitude I have returned him ! But thanks be to God, he is not like unto man. He is kind and forgiving, and I will, for the future, endeavor to devote myself more unreservedly to his blessed cause. But, alas ! how often do I make such resolutions ! and as fre- quently too do I break them. The spirit is will- ing, but the flesh is truly weak. Aid, O Lord ! thy servant to do as thou wouldst have her. Nov. 9. For the last seven days I have been laid low on a bed of severe sickness ; but now I am better, and I thank the Lord for it. 9 o'clock, at night. The last hour has been one of peculiar enjoyment to me. Whilst alone, meditating on the goodness of God, especially to me, my soul seemed to long for the period to ar- rive when this mortal shall put on immortality, and, being washed in the blood of Jesus, I shall live with and praise him throughout eternity. I also enjoyed secret prayer. I felt an assurance, in praying for my loved, unconverted friends, that my feeble petitions would be heard and answered. I long for the name of Jesus to be adored by every tongue and people. ' From sea to sea, from shore to shore, May Jesus be adored, And earth, with all her millions, shout Hosannas to the Lord ! ' We are now not more than 100 miles from Pernambuco, on the South American coast ; and are sailing at the rate of seven miles an hour, being now about 6000 miles on our way." 52 MEMOIE OF MRS. SHUCK. Jl Letter to the Compiler. " Nor. 13. Perhaps it might interest you to hear how our time is spent on board ship, and I will give you a brief history of the manner in which it has been thus far employed. You are aware that brethren Malcom and Sutton are with us, which of course renders our voyage much more agree- able. As yet we have been able to hnve family worship only at night. At 10 o'clock the bell rings for worship on Lord's day. With regard to preaching, the brethren take it in alphabetical order. Imagine to yourself how delightful it must be to hear the sound of the church-going bell in the wide Atlantic. It fills one with pleas- ing emotions, I assure you. The first Monday in each month we occupy an hour in offering up our petitions, with those of many others, for the uni- versal spread of the gospel. Wednesday night we have prayer meeting again, and Thursday night we have, either from brother Sutton or brother Malcom, a lecture. Brother S. lectures on heathen mythology, and brother M. on missions generally. Sabbath night we have prayer meet- ing also. Thus, dear brother, you see, we are not void of religious enjoyment. Though in a bark built by the feeble hands of man, tossed about by every breeze, on this vast ocean, still do we enjoy the light of God's countenance." A Letter to her Father. " NOT. 14. I have been thinking a great deal lately about thai sweet camp-ground, on which so many of my happy days have been enjoyed. 'Twas there LETTER TO HER FATHER. 53 I publicly professed to be one, whose desire it was to follow the meek and lowly Jesus, through evil as well as good report. On that ground have I listened with delight to the voices of a K.., a J., and a B., whose names shall always be deeply engraved on the pages of my heart. But I have taken my last look at that sweet spot. I shall no more hear those dear brethren preach. I well re- member what my feelings were the morning of the last day I ever spent there ; and when my dear brother K. bade me good-by, I am certain his thoughts were similar to mine ; for as soon as he took my hand in his, he burst into a flood of tears, though neither of us knew, at that time, that I should bid you all farewell so soon. I delight to think of those by-gone days, not be- cause I regret that I have left you all, but because I think that I, as well as my friends, enjoyed the presence of my Saviour." Journal. "Nov. 17. I have this day medi- tated much on the vanity of all earthly things. What is there below heaven worth living for, but to serve the Lord ? Then why is it that I serve him with so little fervor? At how great a dis- tance do I live from him ! How cold and lifeless are my affections ! Indeed, I sometimes doubt whether I am truly a Christian. ' Do I love the Lord ?' is with me often an anxious inquiry. ' Te that love the Lord indeed, Tell me, is it thus with you ? ' 18. We are now sailing at the rate of seven miles an hour, and if we go on thus, we hope to reach the Cape in fifteen or twenty days. We 5* 54 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. have had quite a pleasant little meeting tonight. Two of our number were absent on account of sickness. My health is a little improved. ' Sea- sickness ' seems to have bid me a final adieu : I think its visit was unusually long, and I am not anxious to welcome its return. Dec. 2. Yesterday spoke an English ship, and all the females, with the exception of one, visited her. It was something unusual to be visiting in the Atlantic Ocean, so near the Cape of Good Hope an occurrence which to our knowledge never before took place. We returned delighted with our trip. The captain was very polite, treated us to many little niceties, and, when we were about to leave, gave us two bottles of milk and a loaf of bread. 15. In looking over my journal, I perceive that I have written none since the 3d. During this time, I have been so sick that I have been unable to walk, stand, or sit. We have had very rough weather for the last week. I really thought, at some times, that our ship would upset, and turn us out into the sea." A Letter. "ATLANTIC OCEAW, DEC. 25 Very dear and beloved Father, Emotions of gratitude swell my bosom as I find myself again able to address a letter to you. For the last seventeen days, I have been entirely unfit for employment of any kind ; but the Lord has in mercy raised me from a bed of sickness, and I behold another Christmas day. I have been this morning contrasting my situation with LETTER TO HER FATHER 55 what it was this day twelve months ; and a vast change I find. Then I was in my grandfather's house, attending to poor little sick Bell ; and although I was then separated from you and the rest of the family, yet I could often hear from you. But now many thousands of miles lie between us ; nor can I see, nor hear from, those whom I most ardently love. I shall soon, if noth- ing happens to prevent, reach Asia a stranger in a strange land, surrounded by poor idolatrous beings.- Meditating on these subjects, I was led to ask myself, Where shall I be pext Christmas day? Ah! this question must remain unan- swered. Perhaps I shall have bid a long adieu to earth and all earthly concerns, and be feasting on the smiles of my Saviour. It seems, if I knew this would be my happy condition, I should at this moment cry aloud with joy. Jan. 14, 1836. We are now within two weeks' sail of Calcutta. I assure you I feel rejoiced to think we are so near land. The ocean, de;ir pa', has no charms for me. A sea voyage is clothed in terror to me. I remember, when you were talking to me about becoming a missionary, you remind- ed me of rainy difficulties which I should meet, one of which was ' seasickness.' I supposed it must be a disagreeable complaint, but, I assure you, I knew not how dreadfully dreadful it is. Still, if I were now in America, and knew just the same I do, I should venture to cross the ocean, if there could be no other way of getting to Asia." Journal. " Feb. 4. After having sailed about 17,800 miles, we to-day anchored at Kedgeree,' 56 MEMOIR OF MBS. SHUCK. (a small village at the mouth of the Hoogly Rive.i, ninety miles below Calcutta.) " Mr. Shuck went ashore very soon, and was much pleased with all he saw. I shall go this evening, as the sun is now very hot, and I recollect my father cautioned me against exposing myself to the sun. The na- tives have brought us a great quantity of fruit to sell us; also, eggs, fowls, milk, and vegetables. We bought some of their fruit, and I like all kinds very much. At night. We all went ashore this evening. I felt truly pleased to be again on land. The native huts remind me of our haystacks. We. visited the only white family in the place. They were very polite and kind to us. The climate here is very delightful. It is cooler than it has ever been known to be at least, for 50 or GO years. The Americans have several times ship- ped ice to this country, and the natives say, that is the cause of its being so cool. Poor ignorant creatures ! Their dress consists of a small piece of cloth wrapped around their loins. You can- not, my dear pa', tell how I feel, when I see that I am surrounded by a people who know nothing of Jesus. I bless the Lord that I am here. I feel more anxious than ever to labor for the desti- tute heathen. Yes, in a heathen land let me live, and let me die. Feb. 5. Again visited land. Saw some beau- tiful trees and flowers. The cocoa-nut tree pre- sents a lovely view. It is tall and slender, differ- ent from the pine-apple, which is a mere stump. As soon as we landed this morning, the poor degraded females flocked around us to beg for money. When they found we could not give EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL. 57 them any thing, they would hold up to us their children, hoping thereby to excite us to bestow our charity on them. It is perfectly useless to give these poor women any thing, for the more you give, the more you may. Nothing seems to satisfy them. I saw some beautiful little native children, and I offered to buy one, merely to see what the mother would say. But she imme- diately drew the babe to her, and said, in Eng- lish, as well as she could, ' O ! no, me can't sell child.' They are all very fond of their children. Mr. S. has bought me a goat and a little kid. We go out night and morning to milk her. Goats' milk is much richer than cows' ; but they give only a little. I am now in very good health have not been ' seasick ' for some time. Feb. 6. Left Kedgeree, and are now proceed- ing on our way to Amherst. The distance from K. to A. is about 1200 miles. We hope to get there in ten or twelve days. 19. We are now in sight of Burmah's dark, benighted land. We can see distinctly from the ship the tall pagodas which are worshipped by the poor heathen. What happy feelings fill my mind at this time ! I am now in sight of that land where I have so often desired to be. 20. Went ashore at Arnherst. Saw the grave of the devoted Mrs. Judson. By her side, in the same bamboo enclosure, lies her little Maria. ' They slevp in JCSUB, and arc blest ; Uow iwcet their slumbers are !' I shall send you a small branch of the famed ' hopia-tree.' One of the missionaries from Maulmain, (Mr. Osgood,) who came out last year, in the Cashmere, with brother and sister Wade, 58 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. hearing of our arrival, has come down to conduct us up to his house." , FEB. 26, 1836. Very dearest Father, In the providence of my heavenly Father I am again permitted to write you, and I rejoice to inform you that my health is, at this time, per- fectly good. Mr. S. and I have enjoyed the com- pany of the missionaries here very much. We stay with sister Hancock, whose husband is now gone to distribute tracts. She is a sweet woman, and reminds me much of my own dear mother. Brother Judson lives next door. I am also charmed with him and his wife. She is a noble- looking woman, and appears very young. All the missionaries here have treated us with the greatest kindness. I was very much surprised to see that the mis- sionaries live in so much comfort. Their houses are very nice, cool, and large, made of bamboo ; and as to living, I would as lief be here as in America. The fruits are truly delicious. I have never eaten better watermelons than are here; and we can obtain vegetables of all kinds. All we now need is the grace of God to sanctify and comfort our hearts. I have seen many of the dear Christian natives. They seem delighted to have us come. An old lady told one of the sisters to ask me if I left any friends to come here. I replied, I left six brothers and sisters; and a father and step-mother. She looked at me very sorrowfully, and said, ' Poor creature ! It is a great proof of her love to us.' This morning Mr. Shuck and I walked to a EXTRACTS FROM. HER JOURNAL. 59 Bazar which the natives have here, and I bought me a nice shawl, and some other little things. They have almost every thing which you can call for. I have seen their pagodas and their gods gods which I hope will erelong be worshipped by them no longer. I must bid you again adieu. Kiss my- beloved little brothers and sisters for me. Dear children ! I hope the Lord may adopt them all as his own. Adieu, father, mother, sisters, brothers, all fare- well. Your dear absent daughter, HENRIETTA SHUCK." Journal. " Feb. 28. After spending a week with our dear friends at Maulmain we bade them farewell, and took up our abode, in the old Louvre. There are but two passengers besides Mr. S. and myself, and brother Reed and his wife. We are now on our way to Penang. It is likely we shall remain there about a week. Mar. 8. We are now within two hundred and seventy miles of Penang. Weather very good. Last Sabbath brother Reed preached in the fore- noon, and Mr. Shuck at night. Monday, being the first in the month, we had a prayer meeting. There were only four persons present, but we en- joyed ourselves, remembering the promise of the Lord to the few who meet in his name. We are very much encouraged respecting the sailors. Five of them have professed an interest in the Redeemer. Three have applied for bap- tism. It has been some time since they enter- tained a hope ; but I did not like to say much about it, for I was fearful it might be a mere pro- 60 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. fession. We all feel satisfied now, as far as we can judge, that they have, indeed, passed from death unto life. Mar. 21. As circumstances have prevented me from keeping a journal, for the last several days, I will now mention all that has come un- der rny observation, during this time, worth re- lating. We arrived at Penang, on Wed. the 15th, and there remained until the 20th inst., at which time we set sail for Singapore. During my stay in Penang, I saw much to interest and please the mind of an American. It is, I think, without ex- ception, the loveliest spot I have ever beheld Truly, < Every prospect pleases, And only man is vile ' I suppose there are about fifteen European fam- ilies who reside there among them are two mis- sionaries with their wives, Messrs. Beighton and Davis. The former is in the Malay department, the latter in the Chinese. Mr. B. has been labor- ing in Penang seventeen years, and has no satis- factory evidence that one single soul has been brought to the knowledge of the true God. Why is it that their labors have not been blessed ? Mr. D. has but recently come to this place ; conse- quently, he knows but little of the language. He seems to think it almost impossible for one to ac- quire the Chinese language; but I do not feel at all discouraged, for I know if the Lord has any thing for me to do, he will give strength to per- form it. The climate of Penang is truly delightful. Mr. Shuck and I took some very pleasant rides EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL. 61 in the palanquins. These are drawn by horses, and are built like our carryalls. The streets are very neat and regular. We saw a great many nutmeg-trees and pine-apples grow wild. I felt desirous that my dear little brothers and sis- ters should have some, as they are so very abun- dant here. There is a great quantity of fruits here. I am fond of nearly all kinds; but Amer- icans generally dislike the fruits of Asia, on first coming here. We are now on our way to Singapore, and I know not but that our ship will be attacked by pirates. . They are great in number, and will sel- dom permit a vessel to pass without endeavoring to take it. Our men have to-day been getting their guns and swords in order (for defence) should they interfere with us. We know not what is before us ; but we recollect that ' they who trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion.' An English bark, called the Bright Planet, is in company with us, on her way to Singapore. The two vessels, being so close together, may have some effect in keeping the pirates off. 22. Through the kindness of our heavenly Father, we have been protected through the past night from all robbers, and are spared to behold the beauties of another day. We see the pirati- cal vessels at a distance ; we think they take our ship to be a man of war, and therefore are afraid to venture near us. 28. We are now within twenty-five miles of Singapore, and thus far we have met with noth- ing to mar our peace. Surely, the Lord is good. As we have but little wind, we do not expect to get into port before to-morrow afternoon. Is it 6 t>2 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. possible I am now so near my place of destina- tion ? Yesterday, no doubt, was the last Sabbath that I shall ever spend on board the Louvre. Mr. Shuck preached, perhaps, his last sermon to the sailors. There are but three of them who give satisfactory evidence of being truly pious; and only two wish to be baptized. The other seems to think that sprinkling will do as well as baptism. O that the Lord may be with them on their way back to America, and keep them from the contaminations of their wicked com- panions ! " (63 ) CHAPTER III. Singapore The Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Shuck at this Place Ei- tracU from Mrs. Shuck's Correspondence and Journal during her Residence there. THE town of Singapore is on a small island of the same name, lying at the southern extremity of the Malay peninsula, about two degrees north of the equator. It was founded by the British, in 1819, and soon became a place of great commercial importance. It is under the government of the East India Company. It is a beautiful place, and has a delightful climate. Here Mr. and Mrs. Shuck landed on the 31st of March, 1836, and found a temporary home. A few extracts from Mrs. Shuck's letters and journal, written during her residence here, will furnish some interesting information, and exhibit the state of her feelings on witnessing the degrading influence of idolatry. A Letter to her Father. " APRIL 21. It is more than probable that Singapore will be our home for the next two or three years, or at least until (should the blessed Lord open a way) we can enter China. Of this, however, I cannot speak with certainty, as we are not our own, but the Lord's, and must hold ourselves in readiness 64 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. to go where and when he shall direct. It is said by the missionaries here, that Malacca, Penang, Singapore, or Batavia, are all better places to study the Chinese language than Bankok. Mr. S. has written to Dr. Bolles to inform him of this and other things, and until we hear from him we shall remain here. I had indulged the hope that when I arrived here, I should find letters from my dear friends ; but I was disappointed. We have been here three weeks, and day after day passes on, but no letters come. Seven long, long months to-morrow, since I heard from my dear pa 1 ! Surely, surely, I am anxious to have some tidings of you. However, I will not complain, but content myself with the pleasing hope that I shall erelong receive a large number of letters from my dear, dearest relatives, now so many thousands of miles from me. I will just here repeat that I am wonderfully pleased with our cook. His name is Ah Loo. He can do any thing, and every thing, I believe. He will frequently cook some little nice thing for a dessert, without our telling him. To-day, for dinner, he gave us a very delicious pine-apple pie. I call him a cook, because cooking is his chief business ; but he by no means confines himself to that occupation. In the morning he comes in and sweeps all the rooms, and verandah, or porch, sets the table, brings in meals, and we shall need no other servant. I prefer keeping my chamber in order myself; but if Ah Loo sees me sweeping, he comes deliberately, and takes the broom out of my hand, and does it himself. The Chinese servants very soon become attached to those whom they serve, and are unwilling to leave them. We LETTER TO HER SISTERS. 65 hope this may be the case with our man, for if he continues to please us we shall be very unwill- ing to give him up. We are truly attached to him, and wish him to live with us on earth and in heaven. A Letter to her Sisters. "MAT 13. As I believe it will always gladden your hearts to hear from your dear absent sister, I have this evening put down my work and books, for the purpose of writing a few hasty lines to you. You are, dear children, though separated by thousands of miles, still dear to me, and not unfrequently does my mind turn back to many joyful hours we have spent together under our dear father's roof. And have these happy hours passed to return no more ? Yes, dearest sisters, it is even so. And I am here led to ask, Are you anxious to meet me in a better world 1 If so, why not endeavor to serve the same Being that 1 profess to serve ? 'Tis not enough that we attend the Sabbath School listen to the preached gos- pel read our Bibles and say our prayers. Though these things are done by all true disci- ples of the blessed Saviour, (as they have oppor- tunity,) yet something else must be attended to. We must confess our sins, and forsake them. Have you, dearest children, repented of your sins? If not, I assure you it is time so to do. You may think that you are too young ; but recollect that death snatches away the young as well as the old. Put not off, then, I beseech you, the time of making your peace with God. I wrote a long letter to you on board ship, on the subject of re- 6* 66 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. ligion. Perhaps you have received it, and have already renounced your evil ways, and are now walking in the path which the children of God should tread. Happy, happy should I be to hear this of you. The Lord grant it. I have obtained a Malay teacher, and shall study two hours every day until I acquire that language, which, being so simple, can soon be learned. I should at once commence Chinese, but the facilities for learning it are very few, and my dear husband thinks it better for me to post- pone it a few months. I do not intend by any means to give it up entirely, although it is gen- erally thought that the Chinese is too difficult for the weak mind of a female. There is a lady now in Singapore, who speaks Chinese very fluently ; so I suppose, ' What woman has done, woman can do.' " Letter to Mrs. J. C. K. and Miss V. R. " MAT. Beloved Sisters, In accordance with a promise given you a short time before I bade a last adieu to the shores of my much-loved native land, I now sit down to write you a hasty line or two. I would write separate letters were it convenient just now, but the Louvre will leave here in a few days. The shortness of time, therefore, and numerous engage- ments, compel me now to present you a joint let- ter. Had I even enjoyed a tolerable degree of health, I should feel myself inexcusable for not having written to you both during the voyage ; but I feel assured that you will pardon this neglect LETTER TO MRS. J. C. K. AND MISS V. R. 67 when I inform you that I was ' seasick ' nearly every day whilst I remained on board ship. However, it was the blessed Lord who afflicted me, and I will not murmur. Though I was, dear sisters, so incessantly sick, and sometimes thought that I should find a watery grave, yet my heavenly Father has seen fit to restore me to perfect health, and has permitted me to travel all the way from loved America to this place, where I am surrounded by millions of perishing souls. Do I not bless God that I have been thus highly favored? Yes, it is a privilege which I have long desired ; and, now that I am here, I need much of the spirit of my adorable Master, who, whilst he was on earth, went about doing good. I need much to qualify me for the glorious work in which I hope to be engaged until the glimmer- ing taper of life shall cease to burn. And may I not, dearest sisters, request your prayers for myself, and beloved companion, who has already enjoyed himself much in talking to the heathen, and giving them books ? When we arrived at this place, we expected to proceed immediately to Bankok ; but now we cannot say where we are to live, as it is thought by the missionaries in Burmah, and in this place, that we should have many more facilities for acquiring the Chinese language in Singapore than elsewhere. Mr. Reed and Mr. Shuck have no connection with the Siam mission, which I suppose you know. Singapore is said to be the healthiest situation in all Eastern Asia. There are, I suppose, about one hundred Europeans here, and I am grieved to say, that they are, according to the privileges 68 MEMOIB OF MBS. SHUCK. they have enjoyed, worse than the heathen by whom they are surrounded. I long to be in some spot in the midst of thousands of heathen, and have' no European within hundreds of miles of me, for certainly the conduct of most of them retards the progress of the blessed gospel. There are three male missionaries here belonging to the American Board of Foreign Missions. Two of them are single one is studying the Chinese language, and expects to enter China Proper, and the other is paying attention to Malay, with the intention of laboring in Borneo. There is one printer here from the same Board ; also, a young man of the London Missionary Society studying Chinese, who hopes to labor in China. Singapore is under the English government, and, with Penang and Malacca, forms one presi- dency. There are in the city of Singapore be- tween fifteen and twenty thousand Chinese, from four to six thousand Malays, and two or three thousand of other nations. Delicious fruits of various kinds grow here. The best pine-apples and oranges can be obtained here for two ceuts apiece." Journal, " May 17. To-day the ship which bore me far away from home and friends, left this port. Feelings of a very peculiar kind filled my bosom as I gazed at her when she spread her sail, know- ing that she will in a few months, if the provi- dence of God favor, reach America, the home of my father, and the land of my early days. But I felt no desire to return with her. No ! though nearly every tie which binds me to earth is in the land whither she goes, still I prefer remaining EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL. 69 oehind. And why ? That I may benefit the souls of the degraded heathen in whose midst I now am. My friends, I confess, are truly dear to me, but I trust I can say, ' The cause of Christ is much dearer.' It would mightily enhance my earthly happiness to live where they live, and die where they die ; but if my heavenly Father may be better glorified by my bidding them adieu, and taking up my abode in a land of strangers, of idolatry and moral death, surely I prefer it. 25. Mr. S. takes a walk every afternoon for the purpose of distributing tracts. This evening I accompanied him. It was truly a pleasure to me to hear him converse with the poor perishing natives in their own tongue. He speaks the Malay language very well. It is, I suppose, the most simple of all languages. 27. To-day, while walking again with my dearest companion, I met with several Chinese women. This is the first time I have ever seen one. We conversed with them some time in Malay; and parted with the promise that they would call on me. It is positively forbidden by the government of China for their males and females, and particularly the latter, to leave that country ; but such is the absorbing desire of the Chinese for money, that they often do leave their country, and hundreds and thousands may now be found scattered in various parts of the Eastern world, working hard, both by day and night, that they may gain riches. And are there not many in America, the happy land of Bibles, who, in this respect, are similar to the Chinese ? I could name some who seem to think more of gaining wealth than of saving their own souls. Alas! 70 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. how little do they contemplate the striking senti- ment of the Redeemer, expressed in the following words, ' What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? ' And, again, ' How hardly shall a rich man enter into the kingdom of heaven ! ' 28. Commenced studying the Chinese lan- guage. I feel happy to think I have at last made a beginning, and I sincerely hope to go on with it until I shall be able to communicate the truths of the gospel to the multitude who speak it. June 1. There being at this time five female missionaries in Singapore, we deemed it expedient to hold a female missionary prayer meeting, hoping thereby to benefit our own souls, and those of all who may wish to attend. This was the regular afternoon for it. There was no one present, however, save sister Reed and myself; the others being detained, no doubt, on some account which could not be avoided. Though we were few in number, we felt that our wants were many, and had a delightful little meeting. The promise of our blessed Lord to two or three who meet in his name, was indeed verified. We are very highly blessed in regard to re- ligious meetings, considering we are in a land where there are very few who love to worship the true God. On Sabbath morning, we have the privilege of assembling in the English chapel, where we hear a sermon from the Rev. Mr. W. D. or T. 22. Since I last wrote, I have been confined to a bed of sickness and suffering ; but my heavenly Parent has in a measure restored me. I am still, however, unable to go out. During my illness, LETTER TO MKS. KEELING. 71 I met with many kind and attentive friends. The physician was remarkably kind, and regular in his attendance, and my dear husband staid by my bed continually, and would never leave me except when compelled." A Letter to Mrs. Keeling. JULT 27 Many mercies have attended us since we parted from you ; and now, the Lord be praised, we are enjoying good health, and are, we trust, in some degree blessed with the smiles of our adorable Redeemer. No doubt, were we to meet, face to face, your first inquiry would be, ' How do you like the important work in which you have engaged ? ' I have as yet, dear sister, done very little for the perishing heathen ; but the prospect of being erelong able to communicate to them, in their own tongue, the unsearchable riches of Christ, imparts to me a happiness to which I have heretofore been a stranger ; nor would I exchange my situation for any other on earth. Yes, dearest sister, the most ardent desire of my heart is now, in a measure, accomplished. I have witnessed the wretchedness of heathenism, and enough, too, to call forth every exertion on my part to snatch them from the pit to which the wheels of time are rapidly bearing them. We hope to leave this place in a few months for China, but we do not know where will be our particular location. I have commenced studying Chinese, and have made a little progress. My dearest husband is so desirous of being acquainted with this language, that he studies with the teacher 72 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. five hours in the day without intermission, during which time, the room echoes with the lovely sounds ' Kong,' meaning to speak, ' cheek,' to read, ' sumamee,' what? ' Chillee,' this, ' Tallo,' where ? and their kindred beauties. Mr. S. has made encouraging progress. He looks forward, with no little pleasure, to the period when he shall be able to preach, in Chinese, the gospel of Christ." (73) CHAPTER IV. China Origin of the Name It* History The Province* of China It* Language Its Religion Confucianism Budhism Ta- oiiism Their Inefficacy. MRS. SHUCK'S next letter is dated at Macao, in China. As China was the scene of her subsequent labors and sufferings, and her burial-place, as the opening of her five free ports for foreign missionaries, and the toleration of Christianity in the empire, have drawn the lively attention of the Christian world towards it, and as it has been selected by the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention as the principal field of their missionary operations, it is proper at this point to furnish some account of it. The follow- ing information is derived from a manuscript vol- ume, entitled " Brief Sketches of some of the Scenes and Characteristics of China, by Mrs. Henrietta Shuck, 1841." In the preface she says, ' Particular care has been taken to have the dates, statements, and every thing correct. The works consulted, and of which considerable use has been made, are the ' Chinese Repository,' Mr. Davis's recent work on ' The Chinese,' ' The Indo-Chinese Gleaner,' and several minor publi- cations." The work is full of instruction and in- terest, and at some future day it may be given to 7 74 MEMOIR OF MES. SHT7CK. the public. We have selected, from fifty-three articles, as most suitable to the design of the present volume, those on China The Provinces The Language and The Religions. China. '" The Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, Roman, and Chinese empires were all contemporaneous ; and, while the former only exist upon the page of history, CHINA still lives in vigor, and was never at any former period so extensive in point of ter- ritory as during the present dynasty. The imme- diate causes of her perpetuity have been differ- ently stated by different individuals, but the prescribed limits of the present work will admit of no investigation with regard to the merits or demerits of these, as well as many other opinions respecting this country. There is little doubt but that there is no nation now living on the face of the earth which has claims to an antiquity so high. By some the Chinese have been supposed to have been a colony from Egypt, and from that class of persons, under the jurisdiction of Ptole- my, called Sinae. In all Latin writings by the Romish missionaries and others, the country is denominated Sina, and the people Sinae. The name ' China ' is foreign to the Chinese them- selves, and the origin of the term is not altogether clear. The Arabians, who were probably the first foreigners who traded to any extent with this empire, called it Tsinin, or Tsin, which was the name of an ancient and celebrated state in the south of China, near the present province of Fuhkien. The Portuguese, who were the first .It- SKETCHES OF CHINA. 75 Europeans that doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and also the first from Europe that traded with China, coming in contact with the Arabians, changed the Ts into C/t, and thus called the country Chinian, and the people Chinians. From Chinian probably came the English word China, which at present is so extensively used. China, in her early history, was divided into a number of states, independent, to a con- siderable degree, of each other. The princes of these separate divisions soon commenced hostile contentions with one another, each one striving for the absolute sway of the whole land. The despot who succeeded in subjugating, at a cruel expense of human life, the dominions of his fel- low-princes of the same race, ordered, in the exer- cise of his absolute and assumed control, three hundred thousand workmen to erect the far-famed great wall, with the design of keeping off the hordes of Tartars, who had already begun to make inroads upon the northern frontier. Soon, however, this dynasty was subverted, and another race of despots was seated on the throne. These soon gave place to others still more powerful, until more than twenty successive changes had taken place, when the whole empire was taken from the Chinese by the Manchow Tartars in 1643. The first emperor of the Tartar dynasty was Sun-che, who compelled all the Chinese either to have their heads shaved, after the fashion of the Tartars, or to have them taken off. Many chose the latter. The Chinese, previous to this, wore their hair in a bunch on the top of the head ; but at present they glory in the custom of shaving the head, and in wearing the long cue, 76 MEMO!* OF MRS. SHUCK. which was forced upon them by their Tartar mas- ters. Sun-che reigned eighteen years ; and Kang- he, the second emperor of the present dynasty, ascended the throne in 1661, and reigned 61 years. Kang-he was a monarch of some genius and forethought. He encouraged literature, to some extent, throughout the empire, and has been much praised by the Jesuit missionaries, to whom, it is said, he showed special favors. In 1722, Yung-Ching took the helm of affairs, and reigned thirteen years; after which, in 1735, the fourth emperor, Keen-Lung, commenced his reign, which continued 60 years. The Chinese empire was never so large as during the reign of Keen-Lung. To this emperor was the un- successful embassy of Lord M'Cartney. Keen- Lung was succeeded by Kea-king in 1795, who filled the throne 25 years. Another unsuccessful embassy from England under Lord Amherst was to this emperor. Taou-Kwang, the sixth, and present emperor of the Tartar dynasty, ascended the throne on the 24th of September, 1820, and is now about 45 years old. The term Taou- Kwang, which means the glory of reason, is not the emperor's real name, but a title which he as- sumed when he succeeded to the monarchy. The real names of the emperors of China are said to be so very sacred, that it is considered profanity for the people to express them, and therefore they always assume other titles, when they commence their reign, and by which they are ever afterwards known. China, from remote antiquity to the present time, has groaned under an absolute despotism." SKETCHES OF CHINA. 77 Provinces. " The vast extent of territory comprised in the Chinese empire is estimated at three millions one hundred thousand and four hundred square miles, with a population of three hundred and sixty millions. Vast and extensive, however, as this single empire is, it has but little intercourse with the other nations of the earth. This great area is divided into eighteen distinct provinces. On the north are Chille, Shang-tung, Shan-se, and Honarn ; on the east, Keang-soo, Gan-hwuy, Che- keang, and Kuh-kien ; the central provinces are Hoo-pih, Hoo-nam, and Keang-se ; Shen-se, Kan- suh, and Sze-chuen are on the west; and the southern provinces Kwang-tung, Kwang-se, Yun- nan, and Kwei-chow. All the provinces are divided into Foos, Choos, Tings, and Keens, which are possibly somewhat similar, in certain respects, to our counties, districts, and townships. At the head of each of these divisions there is a special and responsible officer. The whole popu- lation, throughout the land, is partitioned off into divisions of one hundred families, and these are again divided into classes of ten families, over each of which division is also placed a responsi- ble officer. As Kwang-tung, or Canton, is better known to Americans and Europeans, than any of the rest, it merits the first notice. This province, being exceedingly rich and fertile, produces nu- merous articles of export. Its inhabitants number about nineteen millions one hundred and seventy- four thousand. The provincial city, Canton, the only place at present, (1841,) within the confinea of this great land, where foreigners are permitted 7 " 78 MEMOIR OF MES. SHUCK. to reside, is said to be one of the greatest empo- riums in all Asia. Its population is exceedingly numerous, many thousands of whom live on the water in small boats, which are their only habita- tions. The people of Canton greatly excel their countrymen in imitating articles of foreign man- ufacture, owing to the intercourse which for so many years they have had with foreigners. Kwang-se produces great quantities of grain. The mountains are rich in ore, and sometimes gold mines may be found. The government, however, has forbidden these mines to be exten- sively worked, for fear the cultivation of the soil will be neglected ; husbandry being considered by the Chinese the most honorable employment of man. So thought William Penn. Unlawful ravages are frequently committed by the barba- rian inhabitants of the adjacent country. Kwang- tung and Kwang-se are under a single governor. Kwielin-foo is the capital of Kwang-se. The province of Kansuh has been considerably en- larged by the addition of the Soungarian dis- tricts of Barkoul and Oroumtsi. Its mixed in- habitants amount to upwards of fifteen millions. Kwei-chow is a mountainous province, and pro- duces only rice in small quantities. It is less populous than many of the other provinces. Keang-nan, the wealthiest of all the provinces, is remarkable for its splendid silks and japanned goods. Nanking, the former capital of the em- pire, has been abandoned for Peking. This was caused by Yung-lo about the fifteenth century. As it adds to the interest of the present dynasty, they retain Peking as their capital, it being near their native country, Mougden. Nanking, however, SKETCHES OF CHINA. 79 is more central, and possesses a climate far superior to that of Peking. Many years ago, Marco Polo beautifully described a little island situated in this province, and by the name of the ' Golden Isle." This is situated in the Yang-sze-keang River, not far from its mouth. It is inhabited by the votaries of Budha, and abounds in temples dedicated to their idol gods. Keang-nan is now divided into the subordinate provinces of Gan- hwuy and Keang-soo. Shen-se province has Segan-foo for its capital, and produces sufficient food to meet the wants of its inhabitants, who number, ten millions two hundred and seven thou- sand two hundred and fifty. This province in- cludes nearly one hundred and sixty-seven thou- sand seven hundred square miles. Sze-chuen has the most extensive territory of all the prov- inces, comprising one hundred and seventy-five thousand six hundred square miles, with twenty millions four hundred and fifty-five thousand and six hundred inhabitants. Ching-too-foo is its capital. Much of the soil is rendered altogether unfit for cultivation by sand flats and mountainous ridges. Those parts, however, which admit of cultivation, are found to be rich and productive. Of Yun-nan and Shan-se provinces we can say but little, except that they are thinly inhabited, and the soil barren. The former is very moun- tainous, and is inhabited by many barbarians ; but it produces opium, and also silver and other metals. Kuh-keen province comprises fifty-seven thousand one hundred and fifty square miles, with a population amounting to fourteen millions seven hundred and seventy thousand and four hundred. One part of this province, reaching SO MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. towards the south, is exceedingly barren and fruit- less, not producing a sufficient quantity of the necessaries of life to supply the natives. How- ever, it has under its jurisdiction Formosa, called by the Chinese ' Tei-wan,' the most fertile island in the world, and from thence it is supplied with great quantities of grain. Formosa is denomi- nated the granary of Fuh-ke'en. The north- ern portions are not so barren, and they produce good teas in abundance. It abounds in excellent harbors, and carries on a brisk trade. Its inhab- itants are an enterprising, as well as a commercial people, and more natives emigrate from this prov- ince to the southern parts of Asia, than from any other part of the empire. Hoo-pih and Hoo-nan now cover the area which was formerly known as the province of Hoo-kwang. .The chief cities are Woo-chang-foo and Chang-sha-foo. These two provinces produce nothing for exportation, though the Chinese highly extol their fertility in their writings. Hoo-nan province is regarded as being the first place inhabited by Chinese. Here it is said Fuh-he (an emperor of the mythologi- cal period) held his court. Its population num- bers twenty-three millions thirty-seven thousand one hundred and seventy-eight, who are remarka- ble for their industry and skill, and also for their learning and talents. Kae-fung-foo is the capital. The most remarkable incident connected with this province is, that it is the birthplace of the founder of the Ming dynasty. He was once a slave, but, joining a body of insurgents against the Mongol dynasty, soon became the chief of the army, and, proving successful in quelling the Tartars in all their battles, he finally drove them from the land, SKETCHES OF CHINA. 81 which has caused him to receive the name of Hoong-woo the ' Great Warrior.' Keang-se has an immense population, amounting to thirty mil- lions four hundred and twenty-six thousand six hundred and ninety, dwelling upon seventy-two thousand one hundred and seventy-six square miles of land. Its soil is fertile, but the popu- lation being so very great, they have but little grain to export. The mountains abound with a variety of metal mines. The principal cities are Nan-chang-foo and Paou-choo-foo. The Poy- ang lake is in this province. From Keang-se to Kwang-tung, the adjoining province, a passage has been effected through a ridge of mountains ; consequently there is constant intercourse between the two provinces. Che-keang has a dense popu- lation of twenty-six millions two hundred and fifty-six thousand seven hundred and eighty, and contains fifty-seven thousand two hundred square miles. It is remarkable for its fine cities. Hang- choo-foo, the capital, is celebrated, throughout the empire, for the beautiful and romantic scenery which surrounds it. Che-keang is noted for its rich emporiums, splendid silks, and green teas. Its chief seaports are Wan-choo, Chapo, and Ningpo. Shang-tung cannot boast of so much wealth as Che-keang, since many of its inhab- itants are forced, through poverty, to forsake their native country, and seek a subsistence elsewhere. This may, however, not proceed altogether from the barrenness of the soil. It has a numerous population, amounting to twenty-eight millions nine hundred and fifty-eight thousand seven hun- dred and sixty, with only fifty-six thousand eight hundred square miles. Through this province runs 82 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. the grand canal. Its chief seaports are Ting-choo- fbo and Kaou-choo-foo. In this province is the birthplace of the celebrated Confucius. Chih-le, or Pih-chih-le, the province in which the imperial court is held, is sterile, and very flat and sandy. Peking, the residence of the emperor, is the capi- tal of the province, and the metropolis of the whole empire, and is, unquestionably, the largest city on the Asiatic continent. The province contains fifty-nine thousand seven hundred square miles, with twenty-seven millions nine hundred thou- sand inhabitants. The whole coast is bordered with dangerous shoals, which greatly obstruct the navigation." The Language. " The written language of China is alike in- telligible to the inhabitants of Japan, Cochin Chi- na, Loo-choo, and Corea, with those of this em- pire itself. In various parts of all these countries, however, the pronunciation of the characters widely differs, although their meaning is always the same. The written characters are inter- changeably understood by these different nations in the same manner that the Arabic numbers are also comprehended in America and through- out all Europe. Thus, as Mr. Davis observes, taking the number 22, a Frenchman calls it venght deux, and an Italiau, nnti due. These different spoken pronunciations would be unin- telligible to a speaker of the English language, but would be immediately comprehended were the figures 22 written down. The Chinese numerals expressive of the same amount are read by the inhabitants of Peking, urh-shih-urh, and by the SKETCHES OF CHINA. 83 natives of Canton, ee-shap-ee, although both par- ties write them precisely alike. This advantage, which is characteristic of our numerals only, be- longs to the whole language, not only of China Proper, but of all those other nations who use the same characters, and affix to them peculiar local pronunciations. The universality of the Chi- nese language, therefore, only pertains to the written character, and the natives who live in dif- ferent regions, and read the same books, and per- fectly understand each other on paper, are, in speech, almost mutually unintelligible. The whole number of the Chinese characters amount to eighty thousand ; but a thorough knowledge of three or four thousand is sufficient for all practi- cal purposes. There are two hundred and four- teen characters which are denominated radicals, and one or more of these enter into the compo- sition of every character in the language. In the native dictionaries all the characters are arranged under their appropriate radicals, which facilitates the finding of them, and very frequently gives an insight to the meaning of the character sought for. Exclusive of the variations formed by the modulations of tones and aspirates, there are in the language but about four hundred and twelve significant sounds. There being, therefore, so many words, between whose sounds there is but the minutest difference, the natives, in order to be understood by each other, have recourse to the use of two words meaning the same thing. Thus yung signifies everlasting, and yuen, never-ending very remote ; but when they wish to convey the idea of eternal, or eternity, they say yung yuen. There being no inflection whatever in the Ian- 84 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. guage, a great many particles are employed as indispensable, and the peculiar positions of words in a sentence, is the only means of distinguishing their relations to each other. Hence it becomes as necessary to study the proper collocation of words, as to become familiar with their common significations. Verbs must always follow their agents, and precede their objects. Time, also, must come first, as ming teen lae, to-morrow come ; kin teen ken, to-day go. The pronouns are varied by different affixes, as gno, I ; gno teih, mine ; gno mun, we ; ne, you ; ne teih, yours ; in- mun, ye; ta, he; ta teih, his; ta mun, they. There are many words (or characters) used in writing the language, which they do not employ in speaking it, and vice versa. The Chinese have six different forms in writing the characters of their language. But two of them, however, are in most general use, namely, the form employed in printing books, which lays more claim to accu- .acy and perspicuity than freeness and elegance. The second is the most studied and useful form of the Chinese characters, combining elegance with correctness, and is employed, throughout the country, in writing all papers of consequence. A Chinese who cannot write in this style, with neat- ness and accuracy, has no valid claim to literary merit among his countrymen. The third form is the king shoo, or running hand; but it does not admit of entire freedom. The pencil is carried from stroke to stroke, with- out being taken up from the paper ; but no abbre- viations whatever, unless authorized by the popu- lar native dictionaries, can be indulged in. This form is very frequently employed in prefaces of SKETCHES OF CHINA. 85 books, and it is the general handwriting of all neat scribes. The fourth is an abbreviation of the running hand. It is sometimes used in keep- ing ordinary accounts ; but to understand it fully requires a special study, and not unfrequently well-educated natives fail to comprehend it. The fifth is the shoo, or official style, and was introduced about the commencement of the Chris- tian era. It was originally intended for govern- ment writers, but is chiefly used for inscriptions and prefaces. The sixth form is what is called by foreigners " the seal character," being now principally used for seals. It is the most ancient style of Chinese writing, and is the first offspring of the hieroglyphics of antiquity. Many and not unfrequent erroneous observa- tions have been made with regard to the difficul- ties attending the acquisition of the Chinese lan- guage. The following remarks of the late Dr. Morrison are probably the most correct that have yet been penned on the subject. ' The acquisition of the Chinese language has often been represented as almost impracticable ; and sometimes, on the other hand, it has been said to be very easy. It is of importance that the student should take the middle path, where indeed the truth lies. To know something of the Chinese language is a very easy thing; to know as much of it as will answer many useful and im- portant purposes is not extremely difficult ; but to be master of the Chinese language, the writer considers extremely difficult. However, the dif- ficulty is not insuperable. It is a difficulty, which, (in the words of Sir William Jones, when speak- ing of the Persian language,) like all others in 8 86 MEMOIR OF MBS. SHUCK. the world, will be insensibly surmounted by the habit of industry and perseverance, without which no great design was ever accomplished. The student, therefore, should not undertake Chinese under the idea that it is a very easy thing to ac- quire ; nor should he be discouraged under an impression that the difficulty of acquiring it is next to insurmountable.'" Chinese Religions. " In China there are three distinct and prevail- ing systems of religion, or philosophy, namely, that of CONFUCIUS, of FUH, or BUDHA, and of TAOU. These, however, do not hold equal rank in the nation, Confucianism being pretty generally held by the higher classes, and to a considerable extent might be regarded as the state religion of China. Kung-footze, or Confucius, as the name has been Latinized by the Roman Catholic mis- sionaries, flourished about 580 years before Christ, and was therefore contemporary with the celebrat- ed Pythagoras. He was born in the ancient and independent state of Loo, which is now compre- hended in the province of Shang-tung. He was the son of an eminent statesman, and chief minis- ter of his native country, and, being averse to the ordinary amusements of youth, he early and assiduously devoted himself to moral and political science, without turning aside to investigate or meddle with natural knowledge, or the prevailing superstitions of his countrymen. He taught much that was proper to be observed, wielded a power- ful influence, and soon had a train of several thousand followers, many of whom gave them- SKETCHES OF CHINA. 87 selves up entirely to the practice of their master's precepts. He is styled ' the most holy teacher of ancient times,' and the books he wrote and compiled have been handed down through succes- sive generations, and they at present constitute the Holy Scriptures of the Chinese empire. The sage on one occasion remarked, that there were three things to beware of through life : ' When a man is young, let him beware of his appetites ; when middle-aged, of his passions ; and when old, of covetousness especially.' Confu- cius was probably more political in his teachings than religious. However fine may be many of his sentiments, he makes no acknowledgments of an ever'-blessed and Almighty God ; and although, for more than two thousand years, he has been venerated and worshipped throughout the empire, at numberless shrines and temples, dedicated ex- pressly to his memory, his doctrines, unaided by divine revelation, have not been effectual in caus- ing his followers to live lives of even common morality. Pride, self-righteousness, blind incon- sistency, shameful dissoluteness, lurking atheism, and a hungering and thirsting after unrighteous gain, are the prominent characteristics of the present followers of the great Confucius. He taught that a man should not live under the same sun with the murderer of his father, which doc- trine itself would lead to murder. He died in his seventy-third year, and only a few days be- fore his death, he restlessly moved about, leaning upon his staff, and with unhappy sighs 'exclaimed, ' The mountain is crumbling, The strong beam is yielding, The sage is withering like a plant ' 88 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. It is said in a native publication, that, besides private shrines, there are in China more than one thousand five hundred temples dedicated to Confucius alone. In the same work, it is estimat- ed that at the regular spring and autumnal sac- rifices, offered to the manes of this departed mor- tal, there are immolated annually upwards of 62,000 victims, besides the offering of 27,000 pieces of beautiful silk, of various colors. The different victims sacrificed are enumerated as follows : Oxen, 6 Pigs, 27,000 Deer, 2,800 Sheep, 5,800 Rabbits, 27,000 Total, 62,606 In addition to the above, there are national sac- rifices and offerings on the eighth month of every year, and Confucius comes in for no inconsiderable share. The sacrificial festivals are celebrated in the same month throughout the empire,, and altogether at the national expense, in temples dedicated to their respective deities. They are as follows : On the 4th of the month, sacrifices and offerings are presented to Confucius. 5th, to the god of the winds, or JEolus. 6th, to the god of letters, or the Chinese Mi- nerva. 12th, to the god of war, or Mars. 13th, to the god of fire. 14th, to the spirits of illustrious and faithful ministers. SKETCHES OF CHINA. 89 15th, to the god of the Southern Ocean, or Neptune, who tranquillizes the sea. 16th, to the queen of heaven, and king of Dragons. 28th, to the deified sages. The religion of Fo, Fun, or BUDI.A, was intro- duced into China from Hindostan, about the year 65 of the Christian era. It was spread through the empire by means of books and tracts, which were zealously distributed by its deluded vota- ries. It is said that the emperor Ming-te, of the Han dynasty, supposing a certain saying of Con- fucius to be prophetic of the discovery of some saint iir the west, despatched several messen- gers to seek him out. They proceeded to India, and discovering the sect of the Budhists, pre- vailed on some of them to accompany them back to China, with a supply of their books and idols. The disciples of Fo in China say that he is one person, but that he has three forms, and these three forms are separately represented by three distinct gilded images, which they call ' the three precious or pure Budhas.' The great ven- eration for elephants, throughout Pegu and Siam, is said to have been originated by the circum- stance of the mother of the god Budha having dreamed that she swallowed an elephant. The five following are the principal points of the doc- trine of Budhism, and are addressed to the priests. 1. Do not kill any living creature. 2. Do not steal. 3. Do not marry. 4. Speak not falsely. 5. Drink no wine. Budhist priests shave the whole head, live in monasteries, and constitute a society of craving mendicants, who live upon the 8* 90 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. liberality of the idolatrous populace; and the fata, superstition to which they are devoted, has as- sumed the same shape in China, as in Burmah, Siam, Thibet, Cochin-China, Tartary, and J:.pan. Budhism, at present, is far from beinn; flourishing in the Celestial Empire. The Roman Catholic missionaries to China have been repeatedly puz- zled at the striking similarity of the ceremonies of Budhism to those of their own system. The Budhist priests practise celibacy, observe fastings and prayers for the dead, have holy water, and rosaries of beads, which, like the Catholics, they count with prayers. They also worship relics, and lead a monastic life, similar to that of the Franciscans. The third religious sect in China is that of TAOU, so called from its founder, who came into notice almost simultaneously with Confucius. Taou is the Chinese Epicurus, and inculcated a contempt for all riches, and honors, and worldly emoluments. He also taught that every passion which would in the least interfere with personal tranquillity and self-enjoyment should be strictly subdued. The priests of Taou style themselves ' Doctors of Reason,' and also ' Celestial Teach- ers.' They are also great pretenders of magic 4 <(P and alchemy, and endeavor hard to discover the elixir of long life, or immortality. Confucianism has no priest, except the emperor, but the priests of Budha and Taou are abundant. From the above systems of religion is excluded the glorious Deity as an object of worship, and they never al- lude to the mighty Ruler of all, but in the ob- scurest and most unsatisfactory manner. Those who have long studied the subject, say, that SKETCHES OF CHINA. 91 ' China is plunged by the religion of the philoso- phers into pantheism, or hidden atheism. We have endeavored to find God, the eternal Jehovah, the Almighty, the blessed and self-existing God, the Creator of the universe, but in vain have we sought among all the philosophy and religion which we have met with in China.' Were the brightest doctrines of the three religions combined, they never would prepare their followers for the service of their Maker on earth, or his presence in the mansions of bliss. The present condition of the three hundred and sixty millions of China, in a religious point of view, is gloomy and repul- sive, and sufficient to awaken the liveliest sympa- thies of every bosom that cherishes a Christian's hope. The absurdities of the Chinese religion- ists, and the moral condition of China, at the present time, have been strikingly and correctly portrayed in a recent publication by Mr. Constant, of France. The religion of Confucianists ' sup- poses the existence of one only substance, without attributes, without qualities, without will, without intelligence.' The religion of the Taouists ' knows of no motive but blind fatalism, and no perfection but a blind apathy, without virtue and without vice ; without pain and without pleasure ; without hope and without fear ; without desire and without dislike ; and finally without immortality.' Voltaire, among other encomiums equally gratui- tous, has declared that ' the constitution of China /.- //// best in the world,' and yet in this same China we find religion reduced to frivolous and fastidious ceremonies, which only recall despised and forgotten opinions, etiquette in the place of feeling, a lifeless form for a belief, signs without 92 MEMOIR OF MUS. SHUCK. signification, a practice without a theory, irreli- gious abstractions for the high, and stupid super- stitions for the people; the worship of spirits, and the most positive and gross materialism; for the rest the most grinding oppressions, the inkrine. After remaining one week, Mr. S. returned. The first words almost that he said were, ' I have received letters from home.' As they were in his trunk, which had not yet come, I asked, 'What is the news?' In answer to which question, he said, ' There are great revi- vals all over Virginia. Your pa' has baptized a great many, and among them Susan. Imagine my delight. / cannot describe it. I flew into his arms, and wept wept for joy. That night I awoke about twelve o'clock, and could not sleep. I was thinking about you. I could, indeed, with the Psalmist, say, ' Bless the Lord, O my soul!' And now, my dear sister, since you have taken the name of a Christian, will you not permit one who loves you with affection of the deepest kind, and who humbly trusts that she too knows, by 120 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. happy experience, what it is to have the love of God shed abroad in her heart, to give you a word of caution ? Remember, dearest Susan, the name of a Christian, of itself, will not take us to heav- en. By living holy lives, and by constant and fervent prayer, must we ' enter in at the strait gate.' Seek daily supplies of grace from the pure and living fountain. Be cautious in your remarks, and your conduct, at all times, especial- ly when in company with unconverted persons. Read, and not only read, but study the word of God. Let the Bible be your constant companion, never suffering one day to pass without perusing a portion of it. Remember that, as yet, you are but a babe in Christ. You have much to learn. Endeavor, as you increase in years, to increase also in wisdom and grace. Prepare yourself for temptations, for, be assured, you will have them. Satan, with all the deceit imaginable, will clothe himself in lovely garments, in order to decoy you from the path of truth and righteousness ; but be firm, be unmovable, and at all times ready to say, ' Get thee behind me, Satan.' In the Bible you will find for your comfort many delightful promises. One I will name, which, in this land of darkness, I find precious. ' As thy days, so shall thy strength be.' Charming words ! Christ will enable you to overcome every temptation, if you will throw yourself helpless at his feet, and seek help alone from him. One thing, es- pecially, let me remind you of the case of the heathen. You must endeavor to cast in your mite towards the evangelization of the world. I do not write to you, in this manner, dear sis- ter, because I am perfect in these things. Ah, EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 121 no ; I feel my weakness ; but it is because I love you, and feel it to be my duty to remind you of them. Remember me to all the dear children. Kiss them for me. Tell them to take warning from the death of darling Lucius, and be good children, as he was, and then they may hope to be reunit- ed with him again. May the Lord in mercy keep and bless you, my sister, and when time with us shall end, may we all meet in heaven to rejoice together, is the constant and sincere prayer of your dear sister. H. S." To Mrs. Davenport, Bankok. " JUNE 30, 1838. I deeply lament the intelligence from broth- er Deane, that Ah Loo has fallen. No death of which I have heard has made me grieve like it. What could have led him to do so vile an act, I cannot conceive. While he was with us, his character was lovely, and he proved himself an exemplary Christian. But if those in America, after professing to be converted, and, for years, preaching the gospel to others, fall, may we not expect to find such cases among the heathen! I suppose you have long ago heard of the wicked conduct of Mr. * * * *. He, who once appeared an amiable, lovely, and devoted Christian, has turned suddenly about, and has engaged in all manner of wickedness. He has been dismissed from the church and the ministry. In view of these things, may we not indeed say, ' Lord, have mercy upon us'? May he keep us from bringing a reproach on the cause which we have espoused." 11 122 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. To Her Sister Isabella. " OCT. 9, 1838. Your brief, but exceedingly interesting epistle of April 1 reached me a few days ago, and I take the earliest opportunity to reply to it. My time is almost wholly taken up with my domes- tic concerns, studying Chinese, and doing- all that I can, at present, towards teaching the igno- rant but interesting people in whose midst I dwell. I very much fear, therefore, that I have rather slackened in my correspondence with my friends ; but I beg they will all excuse me. I will write as frequently as my time will possibly ad- mit. It will be needless for me here, my dear Bell, to repeat the assurance, which I have expressed in all my former letters, that to hear from my dear distant friends, especially my father's family, is a delightful privilege. Suffice it to say, that the affection which I cherish for you all, ' grows with my growth and strengthens with my strength.' Distance and time only serve to make me love you more. We shall, in all probability, no more see each other in the flesh ; but let us leap over time, and look beyond this vale of tears, where, if we are the children of God, we shall meet meet to part no more. What matters it, then, that we are now separated ? Let us endeavor while we live to glorify God, and render ourselves useful to our fellow-beings, and our reward will be great. You do not once allude to the subject of reli- gion in your letter. In one of my dear sister Susan's recent letters, she caused me to hope that you too felt that you were a sinner, and desired to participate in the Christian's joys and EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 123 privileges ; but from your silence I fear those desires have, in a measure, died away. O my sister, what can / say to you ? Knowing, as I do, that you are in a land of Bibles, and that, from time to time, you are permitted to listen to the blessed gospel, preached by men of piety and talents, and that even in your own family there are some whose delight it would be to impart to you such instructions as would lead you in the path of peace and safety I say, knowing these things, I can hardly hope, far away as I am, that what I say may be of any avail. Nevertheless, I cannot, I must not remain silent. I feel that when I_ lived with you, I did not, as often as I should have done, speak with you on the subject of your soul's salvation. I fear that my exam- ple, too, was often pernicious in the extreme that, though I professed to be a child of light, I walked in darkness. But, my sister, for the past I grieve ; yes, deeply repent that such was the case. However, forgetting the things that are behind, let me press onward, with renewed energy, to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God, which is in Christ Jesus. And now I ask, do you not feel anxious to follow the example of dear Susan ? Do you not see that she is happier now than in former times? And have you no desire to participate with her in the joys which religion yields ? If so, delay no longer. The all-devastating hand of time is fast hastening us to the tomb ; and, O ! what an awful thought, that should my precious Isabella be taken away in her sins, I meet her no more forever ; and more than all, she will not only be separated from her dear friends, but will be denied 124 MEMOIR OP MBS. SHUCK. the presence of Jesus. Be persuaded to give up the pleasure of this world for nobler and more lasting joys beyond the skies. ' Beware of pleasure's siren song ; Mas '. it cannot soothe you long ; It cannot quiet Jordan's wave, Nor cbeer the dork and silent grave.' A thousand things press on my mind, which I would fain give expression to, if time and paper permitted ; but I must conclude. Thank Heaven, we are all well. I enjoy better health than almost any one in Macao. What a blessing ! The boys are hearty, and, as the cold winter approaches, their little cheeks begin to grow rosy. Lewis is nearly as large as Robert was when I left. He, as well as Ryland, is a sweet boy Love to all to every one. Yours, most devotedly." To her Father. " Nov. 16, 1838. I have just heard that the American vessel Albion will leave this place in a day or two for New York. I hasten, therefore, to pen you a few lines, to inform you of our continued health and happiness in this remote corner of the earth. I am now alone, with my dear, dear little chil- dren, their fond papa being in Canton. He thought a little relaxation from study would benefit his health ; and consequently took leave of us two weeks ago. I suppose he will be ab- sent one month from the time he left. I had a letter from him this morning. He is very well, and has seen much of the country round about Canton. EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 125 We now enjoy the cool winter air. This is the commencement of our winter season. We expect to have it very cold, as the summer has been exceedingly sultry and oppressive. I really do not think, were I to search the world over, I could find a climate better suited to my constitu- tion than that of this dear little spot. My health is very good never was better. " May I feel thankful to the Giver of this great blessing. I shall feel rather loath to leave Macao ; but still, if it is the wish of the Board and the will of Heaven, I would most joyfully go without one murmur. I feel happy to inform you, my dear pa', that I progress in the language of these vast multi- tudes, and sincerely desire to do something for their eternal welfare. I hope you daily remem- ber us, and our work, at a ' mercy seat.' We do not tire, and O that we never may ! We received from brother Ryland, the other day, by the ship ' Omega,' a box containing many useful articles. How very kind he is to us! This is the second box sent by him. The contents were valued at thirty-seven dollars. Since he has been so truly kind, I am glad that we have called our youngest son after him." To her Father. " DEC. 30, 1838. On this afternoon of the last holy Sabbath in the present year, I desire to spend an hour or so in writing to you ; for it seems a long time since I last wrote. I am entirely alone, my dear husband having gone over the water to distribute to these idolatrous people the word of God. The 11* 126 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. children have also gone out for a walk in the fresh air, as they are accustomed to do. Many, many items crowd upon my mind, which I wish to inform you of; but, in the first place, I must tell you how ill, dangerously ill, I have been within the past month. I think I wrote, to you by the ' Albion,' which left in October. I then men- tioned that Mr. Shuck was gone to Canton. My health was very good. However, in a week from that period, I began to lose my appetite, which I thought nothing of, though I also suffered very much with daily headaches. Very suddenly, one evening about 9 o'clock, I was seized with violent pains in my chest. Several persons hap- pened to be present, as it was a meeting evening. As soon as the service ended, I went to my room, and called Mrs. Squire, one of the missionaries, to come to me. Fortunately she knew what to do for me. She ordered bottles of hot water to be placed wherever I felt any pain, and after sending for the Dr., rubbed me herself, and con- tinued applying the hot water, till at last, after an hour or two of severe pain, I found some relief. Dr. Anderson could not be found for a long time, and had I been alone, I hardly think I could have survived. About 12 o'clock at night, the Dr. made his appearance, gave me medicine, di- rected me to keep something warm to my chest, and then bade me good night, saying, * If you feel the slightest return of pain, immediately in- form me.' I slept quietly the remainder of the night, and, though exceedingly weak in the morn- ing, I felt myself very much better. As soon as it was light, Dr. A. was by my bedside, and from the first moment he saw me he seemed alarmed. EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 127 I did not feel ill, and wondered why he should look so. In the course of the day, Mrs. King, a dear friend, came to see me, and I saw something strange in her looks, also. She afterwards said, she expected to see me dead in another hour. Dr. A. was very kind, and truly attentive to me. His visits were as frequent as four times in the day. About 9 o'clock the following night, I again became worse and worse, till I was quite like a mad person. Dr. A. said I was perfectly deliri- ous. He wrote up to my dear absent husband, and requested him to come home, who lost no time in doing so. He knew nothing of my ill- ness, as only the day before I wrote a long letter to him." For many days, I was too ill to see any one but those who attended to me. Indeed, the Dr. would not even permit them to speak to me, so great was my fever. In mercy, however, the Lord saw it well to spare me, and, after a fort- night, I was again able to leave my bed. Dearest pa', I am sure you will feel anxious to know how I felt in view of entering on the un- tried realities of eternity. To tell the truth, I did not think I was going to die, after the first night; then I supposed I had the cholera, and felt that I must soon bid a final adieu to earth, and I am happy to say that death appeared as a dear friend, come to release me from pain, and guide me to my heavenly home. I cannot say that I forgot my devoted Lewis, and darling babes. Ah, no ! I felt, indeed, that they were ties tightly binding me to this lower world ; but I was resigned to go. I felt that my Saviour would protect my dear children, and comfort my affectionate husband. I prayed, however, to live long enough to behold II 128 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. once more the face of my absent companion. How good and how gracious has the Lord been to your dear, distant Henrietta! Though, in his infinite wisdom, he saw fit to afflict my body with suffering for a season, yet, in his loving kindness, he again restored me. Bless the Lord, O my soul ! for he hath not dealt with me after my sins, nor rewarded me according to my transgressions. May the life which he has lengthened be devoted to his service. Don't be uneasy, dear pa', about me now, for I am very well. I soon regained my strength, and I am even better than before my sickness. I am beginning to think seriously about send- ing Master Lewis home to some good friend to take care of him, that he may receive a first rate education, and return to aid us in our work. Of course, I do not mean to do so for some years to come. He is now two years and a half old, arid if he lives to be ten, I think we shall despatch him for some seminary in the United States. When you write, please give me your opinion relative to it. There are no advantages here for receiving instruction, but, on the contrary, every possible disadvantage. It would be very painful to give him up, and I would not do it, did I not know that it is for his own good. Both Mr. S. and myself feel anxious to hear your opinion, as, it would assist us greatly in deciding the case. I beg you will express yourself freely. Do you think he had better remain with his parents in a heathen land, and receive such an education as they can give, or be sent from them, to be reared by others? I have also a Chinese youth, of very respect- able parents, who, I expect, will come to me in a EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 129 few days. He is an orphan, and is heir to about $75,000, in money and property, and seems a promising lad. We wish to send him to be edu- cated in America, trusting in the Lord that he may, by Him, be made wise unto salvation, and return to preach the gospel of Christ to his de- luded fellow-men. The father of this youth lived in Singapore at the time we were there. He placed his money in the hands of some gen- tlemen residing there, and embarked with his little son for China. We soon found out that he was in Macao, and he very often visited us, made us presents, and brought his boy to see us. He spoke English very well. Here he rented a house, and was making money, not content with what he already possessed. A few days ago, a band of robbers, knowing him to be in possession of money, broke into his house at night, and so alarmed the poor man, that he leaped from the window into the street, which wounded him so severely as to cause his death in eight or ten days. The body still remains in the house, and I went with Mr. S., the other day, to see his son, and were told by the man's friends, that they were hunting a lucky spot in which to place the body. As soon as the funeral ceremonies are over, the little boy is to come to me. ' I am fear- ful something may prevent it, which would much disappoint me. I took a great fancy to the dear little fellow, when I first saw him in Singapore. He is the handsomest Chinese child I know. His complexion is fair, his eyes bright black, and very expressive. I hope he may come to me, and I shall do my best for him. Of course he will be supported by his father's agents in Singapore. 130 MEMOIR OF MBS. SHUCK. We have now in our family one little Uoy, ten years old, supported by Bro. Hume, (of Ports- mouth, Va.,) who is to stay with us till he is twenty-one years old. He improves fast. ' Jane Maria,' of whom I have previously told you, still goes on well. She reads and speaks English and Chinese. She receives from Mrs. Keeling five dollars, and from Mrs. Sinton five dollars, annually, towards her support ; but I am sorry to say it is not sufficient. I hope to come on by de- grees, and, by and by, I shall have a large school. I cannot better employ my time now than in studying Chinese, and teaching these children. Jane Maria A. Cue and Master Lewis Hall form a class, and are daily taught by myself in Eng- lish, and by a Chinese teacher. Lewis gets on very well in English. He speaks Chinese per- fectly, but does not like to read it. He knows most of his letters, but, strange to me, though he understands every word that is said to him in Eng- lish, he will not speak a word in English, if he can avoid it. Chinese really seems to be his mother tongue." The above letter touches on the sorest diffi- culty of the missionary enterprise the proper training and education of the children of mission- aries. Can this be done in heathen countries? Missionaries, so far as we are acquainted with their views, concur in the opinion that it cannot be. Be it remembered, too, that this opinion is formed, not only with the amplest opportunities of judging correctly, but in opposition to the dictates of natural affection. The reasons for the opinion are clear and convincing. The young must have REMARKS BY THE COMPILER. 1*1 associates. If intelligent, refined, and pious so- ciety cannot be found, they will inevitably, and, from the depravity of their hearts, most readily, mingle with the ignorant, vicious, and degraded. Association produces assimilation. Unable to el- evate the heathen, they will sink to the leVel of heathenism. Nor is the difficulty diminished in those places where Europeans and Americans in considerable numbers are settled. These foreign- ers are generally mere adventurers, unprincipled, vicious, eager in the pursuit of money, and un- scrupulous as to the means of acquiring it. They are a reproach to the Christian name, raise a strong barrier to the progress of the gospel, and prove a curse to the heathen among whom they dwell. They not only send their own children to be educated, but design, when they shall have accumulated a sufficient amount of treasure, to return themselves to their native lands. It is clear that such a population cannot improve the prospect of the moral and religious cultivation of youth. There is another serious objection to the rear- ing of children in the East. The climate is enervating. The descendants of Europeans or Americans brought up in the country have nei- ther physical nor mental energy. An intelligent gentleman, who spent many years in Hindostan, informed us that he never knew a man of Euro- pean descent, reared in the country, (and there were many such there,) of any worth. The de- bilitating influence of the climate is, doubtless, greater in Hindostan, Burmah, and Siam, than in China; but even in China, particularly that part of it which lies south of Canton, the evil is very serious. * 132 MEMOIR OF MBS. SHUCK. We have glanced at one side of this subject : let us now examine the other. Parents are di- vinely constituted the instructors and guardians of their children. The business of training thenf properly is exceedingly arduous and trying. To secure its faithful performance, the beneficent Au- thor of our being has implanted in the parental bosom an affection which no toil can weary, no difficulties discourage, and no waywardness ex- tinguish. The parent may, indeed, sometimes find an adequate substitute for training his child. A child of sprightly intellect and amiable dispo- sition may gain the warm affection of his adopted parent ; but if he be dull, and sullen, and way- ward, if the rod of correction must be employed, and long-continued watchfulness, and authority, and effort, be necessary to subdue his perverse tem- per, who, beside the parent, is sufficient for the task ? God says to Christian fathers, " Bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Can this most important obligation be properly, without positive necessity, transferred to others ? There is another view of this matter which de- mands our serious consideration. To part with children at the tender and interesting age at which it is proper to send them home to be educa- ted, is a most painful and heart-crushing sacrifice. We have heard much, and much that is visionary, at least, exaggerated, of the privations and suffer- ings of missionary life. They are just such sac- rifices as the men of the world are constantly making, without a murmur, in pursuit of wealth or honor. To what country has not Commerce extended her search for traffic in advance of mis- REMARKS BY THE COMPILER. 133 sions ? If the missionary leaves his home, his friends, and the enjoyments of refined society, and traverses oceans, so does the adventurer in quest of money, or trade. And where there is one missionary longing to impart to the perishing heathen the treasures of salvation, there are scores, or hundreds, who are equally eager to amass among the heathen the treasures of this world. In one aspect only does the sacrifice of the Chris- tian missionary appear more painful than that of the worldly adventurer the one expects, when he shall have amassed a certain amount of wealth, to return to his native land, and close his life in ease and splendor ; the other designs to labor on amid the gloom and abominations of heathenism to the close of life. In point of fact, however, many of the worshippers of Mammon become satisfied in the dark lands of their adoption, and are willingly buried in a heathen soil. But to send child after child, at the interesting age of ten years, to a distant Christian land to be educated, among strangers, with very little prospect that they will ever return to cheer the hearts of their fond parents, in the dark land of their adoption and labors, is, indeed, a sacrifice which no words can fully express, and no heart, which has not made it, can adequately conceive. It is a sacrifice, which, if it can be evaded, should never be offered. It may well be questioned whether God demands it of his servants. But how is the difficulty to be obviated? Some have proposed that missionaries shall be appointed for a limited term. By this arrangement they would be withdrawn from their fields of labor when best qualified for usefulness, and would 12 134 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. return home unfitted for effective service. Others have thought that missionaries should enter on fields of service without wives. We confess we incline to this opinion. Unmarried missionaries would be less encumbered, and more easily sup- ported. In carrying this plan into execution, there would, I apprehend, be one insuperable obstacle. Missionaries are not likely to concur in the opin- ion. The plan has been suggested of establish- ing a seminary of learning in some portion of the mission field for the instruction of the children of missionaries. To say nothing of the cost of such an arrangement, which does not perhaps deserve serious consideration, it leaves the pupils subject, in a great degree, to the contaminating influence of heathenism, and, in tropical regions, to the de- bilitating influence of the climate. But if they must be returned to the land of their parents, (and this seems likely, for a season, to be the adopted course,) and provision should not be made for their maintenance and education by relatives, or pious and beneficent individuals, it should be done by missionary boards. Justice, gratitude, and sound policy, imperatively demand that this burden should be promptly, generously, and cheerfully sustained by the churches. If missionaries faithfully devote their lives and powers to the promotion of a com- mon cause, and part with their children to pre- serve them from the contaminations of heathen- ism, can we expect to please God, or secure his blessing, if these children, so impressively com- mitted to our charge, are not duly cared for and instructed ? ( 135 ) CHAPTER VII. 1839 Erroneous Views of Missionary Life corrected Mrs. Shuck 'a Correspondence continued Incident in the Life of her Oldest Child A Caution for him Mrs. Shuck's School Cost of sup porting it Reference to the Death of Lucius Openings fur Use- fulness in Macao Visiting a Village Mr. Shuck commence* preaching in Chinese Visit of Mr. S. and Family to Hone Kong Probability of Mr. Shuck's Return to America Anticipations since realized Her I linos Death of a Young Lady converted through her Instrumentality. THE missionary life has been too frequently in- vested with the drapery of romance. To many it has appeared as a succession of adventures, ex- ploits, and wonders. This is a gross mistake. It is conceded, that a voyage to a distant land, and a residence among a people of strange speech and strange manners, furnish many scenes to in- terest the mind and gratify the taste ; and that the missionary may be called to pass through appall- ing dangers, and events of thrilling importance. But the missionary life is, in general, one of un- ostentatious toil, and of unending anxiety. The ignorant must be instructed with unwearied assiduity; ami sin, in a thousand forms, must be incessantly reproved and resisted, almost with- out the prospect of suppressing it. The qualities most needed in this service are, not those which constitute the Christian hero, but the Christian 136 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. laborer. In the mission field all the visions of romance vanish before the sober realities of com- mon every-day efforts, and difficulties, and hopes. Let us now enter with Mrs. Shuck on another year of her exemplary and devoted pilgrimage. She still writes from Macao. To Mrs. Keding. 'JAW. 9, 1839. Your long, and to us very deeply interest- ing epistle, bearing date Oct. 28, 1837, the very day I was twenty years old, and the day before the birth of our sweet little Ryland Keeling, reached me safely some time ago; but I have postponed replying to it till now, as I had just sent you a double letter, and knew of no oppor- tunity of sending to America at the time of its reception. Even now I am not aware of the de- parture of any ship for the United States, but the pleasure of writing to you is too great to be de- nied any longer. Every line in your letters, and also in those of dear brother K., is perused with peculiar delight, by my dear Lewis and myself. Therefore, dear friends, do gratify us as frequent- ly as your time will permit. The affectionate and motherly manner in which you speak of our dear boy, endears you still more to my heart. Lewis Hall is very interesting, and is an uncom- monly intelligent child. It is not the blinded love of mother which prompts me to say so, but every one who sees him expresses a similar opin- ion. He was two years old on the third of last August, and strange it seems, that on the morning of his birthday, he came running into the room where we were about to read for family worship, EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 137 and said in Chinese, ' Mamma, I wish to worship Jesus this morning.' It quite astonished me, for previous to this, I had once or twice attempted to have him remain with us at prayer, but he ap- peared restless and uneasy, and I thought it was better to wait till he was of an age to understand why I wished him to attend worship. On his birthday, however, he quietly seated himself, and behaved very well till worship was over, and then, rising from his knees, he said in Chinese, as usual, ' Now Lewis has worshipped Jesus.' From that morning he has continued to do it of his own accord, except on two or three mornings, when he did not seem very well. This circum- stance Appears very singular, and delights me much. Many other such interesting little inci- dents we have observed in him. He is very kind- hearted ; generally takes his meals with us, and if I give him any thing a little nice, like fruit or cakes, he immediately asks for some for Jane also. The other day, his dear papa gave him a custard apple, a fruit of which he is very fond, and he broke it into three parts, and said, ' One piece is for Jane, one for little brother, and one for Lewis.' I like to encourage this principle in him. I would go on and name many similar items, but 1 am his mother, and I forbear. I have already, perhaps, said too much." Mrs. Shuck was a most fond and devoted mother. And what mother is not? The above letter, written to an intimate and endeared friend, who could fully sympathize in her maternal emo- tions, exhibits the intense interest and delight with which she contemplated in her cherished 12* 138 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. offspring the opening buds of promise. She writes with a mother's hand, and a mother's heart. Should the eye of Lewis fall, as probably it will, on these effusions of a mother's fondness, let him consider that many a fair bud has been blighted many a lovely and hopeful child has become " the heaviness of his mother." Should he remember the excellent lessons which his dear mother gave him, and diligently follow her excel- lent example, he will realize the bright anticipa- tions which she fondly cherished on his behalf. A diligent application to study, a faithful per- formance of duty, and the grace of God, Tj;hich his pious mother so fervently sought on his be- half, will make him wise, good, and useful a worthy son of his now sainted parent. To her Step-Mother. " FEB. 28, 1839. When I last wrote you, I had only two little Chinese children under my care ; now I have nine boys and girls in the house, and expect six more to come this afternoon. These children require to be looked after very closely. I should much prefer taking girls exclusively ; but so great is the opposition of Chinese parents to have their female children educated, that I find I must take boys in order to get girls. When I first men- tioned to the Chinese here that I intended to open a school, they brought boys in numbers to me, but not one girl. At last, I refused to take any more, unless for every boy they would bring a girl. So that now, in order to have attention bestowed on their sons, they permit the poor neglected daugh- ters to accompany them. I expect three girls, EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 139 and the same number of boys, in an hour or two, and I shall then have five girls all together. I had a girl of eleven years given to me the other day She is interesting, and appears as happy as possi- ble. I feel greatly encouraged to proceed in my feeble efforts to educate these poor, degraded youths, as, in looking over the Heralds, I perceive that the dear friends in America are contributing to my school. May the great Master reward them, and may they never forget the wants of these perishing idolaters. I sometimes feel sad, when I have to write home and beg for money, fearing that some may think we do not appropriate it to a good cause. But let "me here remark, that without money we can do nothing for the heathen. For instance, if we teach school, every child received must be fed and clothed by us, or he will not come to us. Each one of my girls and boys costs me, for food alone, one dollar per month. Their clothing (will cost per annum) I think about two dollars more, (for each pupil.) So, for twenty children, one year, we should require two hundred and eighty dollars. I think my brethren and sisters in Lan- caster might support ten children, at least. I re- ceived, the other day, from a merchant, who has been residing in Canton, fifty dollars for my school. He went home very wealthy indeed. If a man, in whose heart there exists no love to the Saviour, can be so liberal, should not the disciples of Jesus also open their hearts, and give to the needy ? You speak feelingly of your dear departed Lu- cius. I sincerely sympathize with you in this sad bereavement. But, dear ma', do not grieve 140 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. too deeply. God was kind, undoubtedly, in taking him away, and we must not murmur nor repine. 'Good when he gives, supremely good; Nor less when he denies ; E'en crosses, from Jiis sovereign band*, Are blessing* in disguise.' I have often read and admired these lovelj lines. May we ever appreciate the sentiment therein contained. I wish to feel towards my fond ones that they are only lent blessings, and that God has a right to take them from me at any moment. Should he see fit to prolong their lives, I trust, and daily pray, that they may be orna- ments in the cause of Christ." To her Father. "MARCH 12, 1839 I have not written to you all so frequently . of late, as perhaps I should have done ; but I know you will look over my seeming remissness, when I assure you that I have so many responsi- ble duties devolving on me, that I have very little time to devote to letter-writing. Engaged, as I now am, in the tuition of heathen children, I more than ever feel the need of the prayers of my dear, dear Christian friends in Virginia. I know I am not forgotten by my fond pa' in his secret and earnest intercessions at a ' throne of grace.' I cannot do any thing without help from on high, and I beg you to implore it on my behalf. I feel that I am now more particularly engaged in direct missionary work than I have been at any for- mer time, and I daily see my impotency. The little boys and girls, now under my care, are all EXTRACTS FROM HE3. LETTERS. 141 the children of poor people, with one exception, and are bound to me until they shall be twenty- one years of age. Should the providence of God, however, lead us from this to another field, the parents will not allow us to take them away ; but I am to place them under the care of some one in Macao, which I could easily do, as there are other schools here. The Rev. Mr. Brown and wife (Presbyterians) have lately arrived here from America. They are to be supported by the ' Morrison Education Society,' and will soon commence a school. I like them, so far, very much : they seem to be good, warm-hearted Christians. At present, they reside with Mr. Williams, (also a Presbyterian,) where they will remain for some two or three months, until they get a little insight into the language, and then they design taking a house, and commencing a school. O that there were many more devoted people of God in this land of idolatry and death, to teach the Chinese the way to happiness and heaven ! How delighted should I be to welcome to the mission field some of our dear brethren and sisters of Lancaster ! And are there none willing to come ? none who feel it their duty, and their high privilege, to forsake the land of their nativity, that they may carry to the perishing Chinese the bread of life? Do they feel willing to come, and believe that there are difficulties in the way? If so, let them look at the matter in the light of eternity, and having the fear of the Lord before their eyes. Let them carry the subject to Jeho- vah, and where no eye but his can see, and no ear but his hear, ask if, indeed, these difficulties 142 MEMOIR OP MRS. SHOCK. are insuperable. Do they feel themselves un- qualified for so great, so important an under- taking T So, I presume, every one who engages in the work feels; and this is just the feeling we should possess. Unqualified, indeed, we are; but to whom shall we go for a better preparation, but to our blessed Master above, who willingly imparts instruction instruction, too, of the right kind to all who ask of him ? The work and re- sponsibilities of a missionary are truly great, but have we not a great God to depend upon 1 Lean- ing on our own understandings, we most assuredly must fail. Much can be done in Macao. Parents will now willingly send their sons, and sometimes their daughters, to be instructed. Gentlemen can at any time visit the Chinese in their own little filthy huts, and commend to them the gospel of Christ. Female missionaries are always wel- comed, with much politeness, to the rooms of the neglected and degraded women of China. We can distribute books, and talk to the people about religion, whenever we wish ; and what more need we now desire than men and women, whose hearts are glowing with love to the Saviour, and to the souls of their fellow-men, to assist us in this glorious, this delightful work? There is a village near to us, which contains about ten houses, and about sixty souls. I visit it, regularly, two or three times a week. Mrs. King accompanies me. She speaks Chinese tolerably, and we generally talk to the females about their children, and ask them all man- ner of questions about their domestic concerns, &c., hoping that, by and by, we shall gain their EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 143 confidence and affection, and then be able to call their attention to better things. It has been only a short time since we adopted this plan ; as yet, we have not spoken to them on the subject of religion. Should we visit a family for the first time, and immediately commence speaking to them on the subject of religion, and tell them that it is very sinful to worship idols, we should meet with a cold reception ; but by visiting them a few times, making their children a present occasionally, and conversing with them in a friendly manner, we may gain their esteem, and they will believe what we say to them of the true God more readily than they would have done at first. I was much de- lighted at our last evening's visit. The women were truly polite and kind to us, asked us a great many questions, gave us tea to drink, and cigars to smoke, (as is their custom,) and when we were about to leave, one woman said, as it was nearly dark, she would walk home with us, and did so. I think it likely I shall be able to induce some of them to let their daughters come to my school. There are many good things to be gained by thus visiting these poor females. We see them at home, and can penetrate more "deeply into their characters. We also learn to speak their lan- guage as they do. Mr. Shuck preaches in Chinese every -Sabbath. At present his congregation is very small, consist- ing of not more than fifteen persons ; but doubt- less it will enlarge after a while. His text last Sunday was John xiv. 6. He feels greatly en- couraged in his efforts to make known to this idolatrous race the blessed truths of the gospel. Remember us, ray dear pa', whenever you pray 144 MEMOIH OF MRS. SHUCK. remember, too, the perishing Chinese. I hope you continue to hold the monthly concert at Kil- marnock. Is it well attended? Do the friends in Lancaster manifest much interest in the cause of missions ? " To her Sister Susan. " ACCOST 4, 1839. I wrote a hasty letter to my dear pa' a few weeks ago, in which I said something about our anticipated trip to Hong Kong. We all (your dear brother, Lewis, Ryland, and myself) em- barked on board the Scaleby Castle, a ship of fourteen hundred tons, and had a most delightful passage up. We remained at Hong Kong about one week, were greatly benefited by a change of air, and returned to our happy home and pleasant labors. Hong Kong is, indeed, a most romantic spot, and said to be the finest harbor in the world. There were forty-five square-rigged vessels an- chored in different directions, during the time we were there, which presented a lovely aspect. The lofty and green covered hills surrounded us on all sides. I could willingly have remained a month, but duties, too important to be neglected, called us home." To her Father. " AUGUST 20, 1839. My dear pa', you allude to our ' parting scene' in your letter. O! how frequently do I medi- tate on that day, that hour, that last hour, which I spent with you, my fond father ! Time serves only to increase my love to my friends. I love you all better, if possible, than when I enjoyed EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 145 your society. What would I not give just to be in your midst for one hour, to see those faces, and hear those voices, which are still dear to me ! You say, if it were right, you should ' rejoice to hear that we were on our way back ; but it is not right.' No, my dear pa', we have willingly given up the pleasure of our home and kindred, that we may add our mite towards ihe evangeli- zation of China ; then let us not faint or tire. It is not impossible, indeed I sometimes think it quite probable, that we shall once more meet even in this world. Should our lives be spared, and those of our children, we may send or take them to America in 1844 ; but what, and how many changes'will have taken place in the mean time ! You may be no more, or / may lie in my peace- ful grave. I rejoice to commit my all to the care of my Saviour. He will direct our path, if we commit our ways to him. But perhaps you would better say nothing of this matter out of our fami- ly. We should not do it without the consent of the Board. At this time there are great difficulties with the English residents here, in consequence of the murder of a Chinese at Hong Kong. The com- missioner, Lin, has deprived them of their ser- vants, and has forbid any Chinese to sell provis- ions, or any thing else, to the English. The Americans, and other foreigners, are not to be molested. However, our servants are all alarmed ; and if they leave us, I shall not be disappointed. I think by dividing we can perform our domestic labors for a little while. How these difficulties do rejoice my heart ! because I think the English government may be enraged, and God, in his 13 146 MEMOIR OP MRS. SHUCK. power, may break down the barriers which pro- vent the gospel of Christ from entering China." The above letter seems to be almost prophetic Stating the changes which might prevent her visit to America in the year 1844, she says, " I may lie in my peaceful grave." The word "/" was underscored by her own hand. In that year, as the sequel will show, to her joy and the grief of her friends, she found a home in her " peace- ful grave." The difficulties between the English and Chinese, which had then begun to show themselves, resulted, by the power and blessing of the God of missions, according to her joyful an- ticipation, in breaking " down the barriers which prevented the gospel of Christ from entering China." To her Father. " Nov. 3, 1839. The Talbot is hourly expected to depart for the United States, and I cannot bear to have her go without taking a line from me to you. When I first heard that she would sail in a few weeks, I resolved to write a great many letters ; but we plan, and God thwarts. For some days I have been too much indisposed to write, or to do any thing but loll listlessly about. Even now I am quite ill. My physician pronounces my case to be liver complaint, which, you know, is a distress- ing and even dangerous disease ; but this morn- ing, as he (Dr. Anderson) left me, he said, ' You look a little better, and I shall, I trust, be able to restore you.' My diet is to consist of nothing but toast and tea, and a little fowl broth, for a EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 147 long time to come. Dear father, don't be dis- tressed. I am in good earthly hands, and above all, I am in my heavenly Father's care. It may be his design to give me some suffering, and then take me home. If so, I am willing to go. I am happy in the thought of being with Christ. Pray that I may have strength from on high to support me in every scene through which I am to pass. Death has been very familiar to me la'tely. Miss Orton, a young lady who came to reside with me some time ago, has just departed this life. She was, I trust, through my instrumentality, con- verted on her dying bed. Glory to God, that I have, as I trust, done some good ! The praise be entirely "to Him. I will write soon again, and tell you how I get on. Perhaps I may have to go to sea. If so, we shall go to Singapore or Manilla, just for a change of air. I beg you will not give yourself any uneasiness for me. You know the liver disease can be cured, if God designs it. Mr. S. and the boys are quite well. The winter is now at hand, and we shall all doubtless improve by it. My best love to ma', and the girls and boys. I would write more, but in justice to myself, my family, and the heathen, I conclude. Writing only aggravates the disease. Excuse all mistakes, And believe me ever your devoted daughter, HENRIETTA H. SHUCK." ( 148 ) CHAPTER VIII. 1840 Mrs. Shuck's Health bad Her Correspondence continued Dr. Diver's Letter concerning her Sickness War anticipated Letter from Mrs. S. to her Sister Susan Resignation Dr. Diver** second Letter Mrs. .Slmok's improving Health Her Piety Cost of Living She loves the Concert of Prayer for Missions Letter to Isabella Fervent Exhortation Resolutions Arrival of the British Fleet Isabella's Con version Susan's Marriage Her Grandpapa's Death Good Advice to Isabella Pleasing Anticipations. THE beginning of the year 1840 found Mrs. Shuck in very delicate health. Her life had been almost despaired of; but the great Physician, in kindness to the mission and the heathen, had re- buked the violence of her disease. Her health was gradually improving. The affliction seems to have been, in a remarkable degree, sanctified to her spiritual prosperity. Her letters of this period breathe a spirit of confidence in God, resignation to his will, and devotion to the work of missions. Far from her native land, and the fond friends of her youth, in a country of heathenism, among comparative strangers, in poor health, with the prospect of early separation from her devoted hus- band and dear children, she is cairn, cheerful, full of hope, waiting, without alarm, the issue of her disease. It is an instructive example. How keenly, and yet how pathetically, does it reprove the discontent and murmuring of those who are EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 149 encompassed by kindred and friends, and all the privileges of a Christian country ! But we may best learn the state of Mrs. Shuck's mind from her epistolary correspondence. To her Father. FKB. 8, 1840. My very dear Father, At the same time this reaches you, you will most likely receive a communication from our young friend, Dr. Diver, respecting the state of my health, and the probability that we shall be compelled to visit our native land. While it would delight me to see once more my father and friends, yet it is a source of great grief, both to my dear husband and myself, that we may possi- bly be obliged to quit our field of labor, even for two years. The thought is any thing but pleas- ant. Since I wrote last to the family, I have had another attack, which, however, was less serious than the former ones, and I trust, as I am again convalescent, that by extreme caution on my part, I may drag on till 1844. It is our intention, the Lord willing, if I get worse as summer approaches, to take a trip to sea for a week or fortnight. Manilla is only a few days' sail from this, and the voyage might be of great benefit to me. The letter written by Dr. Diver is strictly true. He takes a great interest in all that concerns us. Since he has been in Macao, he has attended me professionally, and I can truly say that for kind- ness and tenderness at a sick bed I have never seen one that surpassed him. To the skill of a physician he unites the affection of a brother. Dr. A., who still visits roe is as kind as ever. 13* 160 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. He is suffering with the liver complaint; is very feeble, and, I fear, cannot long endure this cli- mate. The other day, when he called, I said to him, ' You are looking ill, Dr. A. I think you will have to go home.' When he immediately said, ' Ah, Mrs. Shuck, I cannot go home : I have not made money enough yet; I shall stay and die here.' The thought then struck me Here is a man with the same disease that I am afflicted with, begging me to go home, and telling me I cannot live here; and yet he can stay. His ob- ject is to make money, and mine, I trust, to win souls to Christ. Whose stay, then, is most impor- tant? I have fully determined, dearest father, to remain in China as long as I possibly can. If I do visit the United States, it shall be my last re- sort. Meanwhile I hope to hear from you and the Board on the subject, and if you both advise a visit home, then I shall feel more happy in tak- ing it. Things in China are wearing the same aspect as when we last wrote. I think it is altogether reasonable to expect war. My dear pa', I would not have you entertain any hope of ever seeing me again. I feel that I may be called away at any hour ; and, I trust, I am willing to go. My ties here are great ; but, blessed be God, I can leave all to Him. He will never leave nor forsake me." The following extract is from the letter of Dr. Diver to Rev. A. Hall, referred to in Mrs. Shuck's letter. The Dr. was an American missionary in Macao, under the patronage of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. DR. DIVER'S LETTER. 151 Extract of a Letter from Dr. Diver to Rev. A. Hall. "FEBRUARY, 1840. Dear Sir, As we are brethren in the Lord Jesus, inter- ested in the advancement and glory of the same kingdom, allow me, though a stranger, to address you from these distant shores. After a passage of 140 days from New York, during which I ex- perienced the bountiful goodness of God, I arrived at Macao on the 27th of September last; and soon had the pleasure of being acquainted with your son and daughter, missionaries under the patronage of the Baptist Board, assiduously en- gaged in the study of the Chinese language, and in doing good, as their hands found it to do. Before I could well survey my new quarters, I began to experience from Mr. and Mrs. Shuck evidences of their Christian regard and affection. But soon I was called upon to make a return in a manner which I could by no means prefer. I was called to see Mrs. Shuck, whom I found in a state of delirium, occasioned by an excessive flow of blood to the brain, which, I afterwards learned, was brought on by too great exertion during the heat of the day." The Dr. gives a minute description of her symptoms, the various remedies employed for her relief, the progress of the disease, and the alterna- tions of hope and fear, which we need not record. He then proceeds : " I have thus given you, dear sir, a full, and, I trust, a faithful account of Mrs. Shuck'* illness, which I think I am bound to do. This is not the first attack; she has had several of a like dan- gerous character since she came to the East. I 152 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. cannot but think that another such attack would in all probability, terminate her earthly existence ; her constitution, naturally weak, is being broken and undermined by their frequency and severity, which, humanly speaking, cannot be averted here. I am strongly inclined to believe that nothing but a visit to the United States will invigorate Hen- rietta's constitution, or restore her to a compara- tive state of health. This conviction has arisen from a careful study of the predisposing and ex- citing causes, and I assure you, dear sir, the expression of it to you, and to the Baptist Board, is elicited by a deep and sincere wish for the wel- fare of your affectionate daughter. Allow me here to say, that in Mrs. Shuck the Baptist Board of Missions have a devoted mis- sionary, and the gospel of Jesus Christ an ardent and faithful advocate among the Chinese. In conclusion, I would express my decided convic- tion that hostilities between China and Britain are inevitable, and cannot be far in the future. I am most truly yours in gospel bonds, WM. B. DIVER," To her Sister Susan, "APRIL 26, 1840. Dear Susan, I trust that my life has been pro- longed that I may devote it the more unreserv- edly to the cause of Christ. I have been on the borders of the grave ; but, blessed be the Lord, I have ever felt a peace of mind which indeed passed all understanding. The thought of leav- ing my beloved Lewis without a wife, and my darling children without a mother, in this un- friendly world, was, indeed, painful; but, on EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 153 the other hand, the thought of being with my Saviour, where I should be perfectly freed from sin, outweighed every wish to remain longer in this tenement of clay. One evening, I remember well, I was quite free fronrpain, but so exhausted that it was difficult for me to speak. My fond husband, who, when I am ill, is ever near me, and dear, kind Dr. Diver, were standing beside me, as I thought, expecting to see me soon depart. Their countenances seemed to say, ' Farewell.' I felt that I was almost gone. Yes, it appeared that my spirit was about entering the paradise of God ; when suddenly I revived, my strength increased, and, O, how disappointed I was to return ag'ain to this sinful state ! But knowing that I ought not to indulge such feelings, I en- deavored to check them. It is a privilege to lie on a oed of pain, to enjoy such rapture; and ' If Mich the sweetness of the streams, What will the fountain be?' I believe that the feeling of perfect submission to the will of our heavenly Father is the most becoming that the human heart can indulge. I desire, therefore, to have my will and inclinations perfectly swallowed up in his. 'Tis sweet to know that all he does is best for our own good, and for his glory. I think I can bless the Lord more for the affliction of body, which, in his infinite wisdom, he has been pleased to send upon me, than for any thing else that I have received at his hand. It has been blessed to my eternal good ; it has led me to lean on him, not on my- self; it has caused me to repose in him. as a ten- der Father, who afflicts not willingly " 154 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. The subjoined letter from Dr. Diver to Rev. A. Hall, communicated the pleasing intelligence of his daughter's improved health and increasing piety. We give the letter entire. " MACAO, APRIL 28, 1840. My dear Sir, Again I take the liberty of addressing you. Were it not for the belief that the subject lies near your heart, I would withhold my pen ; but convinced that the tidings of your daughter's health and welfare must, at all times, be most wel- come to you, I am encouraged to pen these lines. When the letter was written you, which is now, perhaps, on its way to America, we were suffer- ing under the most fearful forebodings of Mrs. Shuck's future health, and I little expected %p be able to say what I now write you. It may in truth be said, now, ' God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.' Henrietta appears now to enjoy better health than she has at any previous time since her arrival in the East. Though she has been subjected, within a month or six weeks past, to occasional attacks of illness, they have not been of the serious description which excited in our breasts those fearful apprehensions, and that painful solicitude, which were once awakened. Yes, my dear sir, I am happy to inform you, that your daughter appears wholly free from organic disease, and complains of nothing. The hope has sometimes been kindled in my breast, that she would, at some far distant period, when restored, in the providence DR. DIVER'S SECOND LETTER. 155 of God, to her home, be partially relieved of the complaint which was wasting her vital energies; but my highest anticipations have been more than realized. By the blessing of God upon the means employed, the power of her disease has been subdued. The use of mercury twice to slight salivation, the introduction of a seton in the side, and constant, untiring attention to every symptom, have been effectual in bringing about this salutary change. The organ chiefly affected the liver is now, I believe, wholly free from inflammation, or derangement of any kind, func- tional or organic ; and the absence of headache, derangement of the stomach and bowels, coldness of the hands and feet, fever and thirst, encourage us to believe that her constitution will be strength- ened, and the powers of her system invigorated. We are led to hope that our dear sister will live to be useful among the dying heathen ; that she will yet spend many years in the cause to which she has most unreservedly devoted her ' soul, her life, her all.' I know it would afford the heart of an affec- tionate father sincere pleasure to hear of his daughter's perfect restoration to health ; but such a hope I would not encourage you to entertain. Let us, however, rejoice before the Lord most merciful, and give thanks, that in answer to hum- ble, fervent, believing prayer, such a measure of health and strength has been restored to the afflicted one, as enables her to perform, with pleas- ure to herself and those around her, the various duties, social and domestic, which devolve upon her. Above all things, it affords me inexpressible 156 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. joy to be able to say that the afflictive dispensa- tions of God's hand have been abundantly blessed and sanctified to her soul. Oft, when sitting by her bedside, have I listened with pleasure to the expressions of trust and confidence in her Re- deemer, which fell from her lips; or, when the last ray of hope for this life was almost extin- guished, witnessed in her eye the rapturous anticipation of a glorious immortality. When bending over her emaciated form, I caught the faint whisper 'Jesus, precious Saviour, when shall I be with thee!' O! I have felt as if heaven itself was open ; a solemn awe has filled my soul ; and I thought it a privilege to be there ; it seemed like hallowed ground. The most prominent grace manifested in Hen- rietta's late illness was patience. When the body was racked with long-continued, agonizing pains, apparently baffling our efforts to procure relief, we have rejoiced and been encouraged by hear- ing her say, at intervals, ' Sweet to lie passive in lii arms, And know no will bat his.' O, what a school of moral instruction is the sick-chamber ! There ! there ! may be seen an exemplification of the power of religion. There, where the disciple of Jesus languishes, may the inquirer find a solution to his doubts, and see a fulfilment of the promises ' My grace is sufficient for thee,' and ' As thy day is, so shall thy strength be.' ' Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.' " EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 157 To her Father. " APRIL, 1840. As to political affairs in China, they are about as when we last wrote. We are in daily expectation of the arrival of the fleet, and we trust that a better state of things will soon exist here. War will, in my opinion, certainly ensue; but we know that God can overrule all things for his glory, and cause even the wrath of man to praise him. I fear there will be much suffering felt among the poorer classes of Chinese. We anticipate an enormous price on provisions, and we may in consequence have to leave for Manilla, or some adjacent spot, for a time, as our salary is scarcely 'sufficient to support us now. Indeed, it would not be sufficient, but I have two or three spare rooms, and accommodate a friend, now and then, who pays for his room and food. Mr. Roberts lives with us, and as we mess together, we get on more cheaply. I am quite a good economist." To her Sister Susan. " MAY 4, 1840. Have just returned from the monthly con- cert held at Mr. Brown's. If I enjoy any meet- ings more than others, they are the monthly con- certs. Then we meet particularly to pour out our petitions in behalf of the object to which our lives are dedicated ; and we know that all over the world, where a band of Christ's disciples can meet, they are found assembled within the same twenty-four hours, for the purpose of seeking the same blessing. Prayer then, like a volume of holy incense, arises to Jehovah's throne. I do so 14 158 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHOCK. love to feel that others are praying for me ; my father, mother, sister, all my Christian friends. It is indeed a privilege to be thus remembered by pious hearts." To her Sister babella. " APRIL 28, 1840. Dearest Bell, as long as you continue away from the fold of Christ, I shall feel like writ- ing nothing to you but urgent requests to seek refuge in that fold. It is my chief distress to know that you are not at peace with God. I pray for you every day : often the list wakeful breath at night is wafted in prayer for my dear Isabella; and the first thought in the morning is still concerning the interests of her never-dying spirit. Midnight and midday, yea, all hours wit- ness rny tender and anxious solicitude for you. Why is it, my Isabella, that you still refuse to yield the affections of your heart, Hnd the service of your life, to the Redeemer of mankind? In- deed, it seems to me that I h:ive in former letters said all that I could to induce you to seek the Saviour. Religion has attractions, dear sister, though it may not appear to you to have. It will afford you more solid peice of mind than you can now conceive. Those gay amusements which so delight you now, can only continue a short time longer yes, they must pass aw;iy with this fleeting world; but the religion of Jesus will ever cause the heart to expand with holy delight. Though overwhelmed with the ills of e:irth, it can imp.irt a peace of mind, a joy, which noth- ing else can afford ; and the soul, tired of all be- low, finds, infinite happiness in contemplating the EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 159 period when it shall awake in the image of Je- sus, and bask in his smiles. Dearest Bell, be persuaded to listen, at once now, to the calls of God's providence to you. which have been many. Dear little Lucius was taken from the embraces of devoted parents, and from the affection of en- deared sisters and brothers for wise purposes. His death, we trust, has been sanctified to our dear Susan ; and will you, can you, my sister, let it pass by without drawing your heart to the Sa- viour, with whom his precious spirit now dwells? You are surrounded by pious friends, who feel much for your salvation let their example in- fluence you let their tears, their warnings, be no longer disregarded. Loved Isabella, the tears start in my eyes, and almost blind me, so full is my heart. Listen to the voice of your dear dis- tant sister, who loves you too fondly; listen to your own conscience ; listen to the exhortations of God's devoted servants ; and be entreated to seek the forgiveness of your sins. Delay Vs dangerous. How anxious was our tender mother's heart for the eternal welfare of her dear children ! How frequent and earnest were her prayers ! She is S>ne ! Her prayers are no longer offered for us. er sainted spirit is with its loved Redeemer. What are your feelings when you think of an eternal separation from that devoted mother, from her who now occupies her place, from our be- loved father, from your sister Susan, who is now the companion of your joys and sorrows, from your unworthy, hut anxious sister Henrietta, and her husband, from all your pious friends, and especial- ly from the blessed Saviour himself? O Isabel- la, if these things do not move you, what can ? 1 160 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. cannot give you up ; I cannot bear the thought of a disunion from you in eternity. No, to part here is painful ; but can it be compared to a sepa- ration in a world which has no end ? I think you will shed some tears over this sheet ; but do not let it soon be laid by and forgotten. Will you write me a long letter in return, and tell me all your feelings on the subject ? I know exactly what you will say after perusing this : ' O ! sis- ter Henrietta always writes me such mournful letters ! ' They are not mournful, but on the most pleasant of subjects; and I must continue them till I hear better things of you. I know your cheerful disposition loathes the idea of being seri- ous and gloomy ; but believe me, there is nothing in religion to make us unhappy. '() ! why should the heart of a Christian be sad, Or his eye ever dim with a tear,' except on account of his sins ? But my sheet bids me stop.- How many sheets would I fill, if it would be of any avail ! I leave the subject with you. My feeble prayers shall continue to be wafted on high for you. Love to all, and from all. With every kind wish that prompts the heart of a dear sister, Believe me yours, in much solicitude, HENRIETTA." The following resolutions, with the remarks subjoined, were found among Mrs. Shuck's pa- pers after her decease. They are entitled to a place in this Memoir. "MAT, 1840. 1st. I will endeavor always to observe strictly the golden rule, ' To "do unto others as I would have them do to me.' HER RESOLUTIONS. 161 2d. I will speak no ill of any one. If I can say no good concerning persons, I will remain silent. 3d. I will mind my own business, and not interfere with the concerns of others. 4th. I will pay particular attention to the rules laid down by my medical adviser, with regard to diet and exercise. 5th. My children are given me to train for heaven. They shall have my vigilant attention. 6th. The duty of a wife is to love and obey. My husband shall find me ever endeavoring to practise these duties, and shall receive from me at all times a hearty acquiescence in his wishes. 7th. My duty to the heathen around me, and especially to the girls under my care, shall be strictly observed. 8th. I will try to exercise patience and self- denial. 9th. I will watch over my temper, and endeavor to be amiable. 10th. I will love my missionary friends, and be merciful and kind to all, especially to the sick and distressed. llth. I will cherish a forgiving spirit, and will return good for evil. 12th. I will ever bear in mind that I am too much inclined to be merry ; and I will try to abide by the advice of my sainted mother, ' Be cheerful and not frivolous, and serious without being sad.' These rules I will pray over twice, at least, every day. I look to the Lord to strengthen me in keeping them. Whenever I find I have deviated from any one of them, I will note it down, and there- by acquire the habit of marking my own faults" 14* 162 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHtfCK. On the same sheet is written, at a later period, of which there is no date, the ensuing confessions. "How repeatedly do I find myself deviating from the above rules, and especially the 12th ! How weak is human nature ! How impossible to pursue the right path depending on our own strength ! How very often do my sinful inclina- tions lead me away from the path of perfect recti- tude ! How lamentably far from God do I walk ! for more holiness, for more faith, for more of the spirit of Christ ! I do most sincerely desire to be a holy, active Christian, but, alas ! I find that I am far from being such a one." To her Sister Isabella. "MxvS, 1840. I wish now to urge on you the importance of cultivating your intellect. I do hope that you will pay strict attention to your education, and not consider it completed when you quit school. 1 have learned more the past two years than I ever did at any school. I make it a rule to read every good book that comes in my way. I am reading one called ' Hints on Education, 1 and I meet with many valuable thoughts on the educa- tion of my dear children. Mr. Morrison has also kindly lent me ' The Principles of Physiology applied to the Preservation of Health, and the Im- provement of Physical and Mental Education, by Andrew Combe,' which I intend to peruse, or rather study, (for such books should be studied,) so soon as I get through the former. It is exceed- ingly improving to the young mind to read much, and digest well. You will never regret having EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 163 done so, when you come out into society, particu- larly if you should be a missionary's wife. Then, while unencumbered with the cares of life, lay up a good stock of useful knowledge. Let every passing hour find you ' gathering honey from every flower.' Write, and write, and re-write, till you RIGHT your ideas." To her Father. "JULY 10, 1840. The English fleet arrived a fortnight ago, and proceeded to Chusan for the purpose, it is sup- posed, of taking the island. We hope these war- like times will all be overruled by the great Dis- poser of events, and that a firmer footing will be gained in the 'Celestial' land by the heralds of the cross. Every thing remains quiet in Macao, and we do not fear it will be otherwise, as the English government does not seem disposed to have any thing to do with Macao. It is our inten- tion to go directly to the first place taken by the English, (the Lord willing,) and there to teach the Chinese, and, as we trust, unmolestedly." To her Sister Isabella. "DEC. 3, 1840. Your last kind letter, my dear sister, found me in rather a weak state, and the contents of it, together with those of others, almost overcame me. The joy of your conversion, the surprise of Susan's unexpected marriage, the death of my dear grandpa', all together awakened feelings new and peculiar. How did my heart rejoice to know that you, for whom I have long prayed, were at last a disciple of our blessed Saviour ; 164 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. that you had seen the folly of sin, resolved to forsake its paths, and tread, by the help of God, holier and happier ways! Dear Bell, I do rejoice. The greatest wish 1 had is now granted rne. A great burden has been rolled away from my mind, and I do, indeed, call upon my soul, and all with- in me, to bless the Lord for his loving kindness ! I recollect an expression of our sainted mother, when I embraced religion, and was speaking to her of my feelings. ' O my child,' said she, ' I can never more doubt the goodness of God, but can trust him forever, and with faith look for- ward to the period when all our family shall dwell in heaven.' I adopt it as my own, and for my dear little brothers I cherish strong hope. The Lord will, I believe, incline their hearts, as he has inclined ours, to love him, and we ' shall all meet in heaven.' This is a wicked world. The temptations to which you will be exposed are numerous. Be fervent in prayer, constantly looking to your Saviour for help and direction. You are young. In youth, then, serve the Lord with sincerity. Give to him your best days. Aim at an elevated standard of piety. Keep your heart right before Jehovah ; and then your conduct will accord with it. I will continue to pray for you, that you may grow in grace. You are as yet a babe. May you ever, in all your ways, acknowledge Christ, and be assured by him your paths shall be -directed. I know you will endeavor to walk before your brothers as one professing godliness. Let them see for them- selves a change in you. All you can say to them will effect no good, if they do not perceive that you feel and act the Christian." EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 165 The following anticipation, so soon realized, is worthy to be noted. It is from a letter addressed by Mrs. Shuck to her sister Susan, (Mrs. Critten- den,) under date of December 4, 1840. " Yes, dear Susan, here we are apart here we live divided by stormy seas ; but by and by we shall re-unite in heaven, together to sing the praises of Him, whom on earth we would serve and honor " ( 166 ) CHAPTER IX. 1841 Remarks on Mrs. Shuck's Sickness and Recovery Her School War between England and China Prospect of preaching the Gospel without Molestation Chinese Teacher a huprt'iil Inquir- er Let'.-r to Robert, simple and affectionate Mr*. Shuck's So- licitude and Efforts for the Salvation of her .SI.-UT- and lirothem Remarks on the Marriage of her Sisters A Box of Presents Birth df her Daughter, Henrietta Layton Reasons for the Name Friends in Macao Contrast between China and Lancaster. IN the commencement of the year 1840, Mrs. Shuck was apprehensive that she would soon be compelled to leave China, and, perhaps, return to America, to restore her feeble and declining health. She contemplated a visit to her native land though, in many respects, it would have been exceedingly pleasant with painful emo- tions. The truth is, her heart was set wholly on the cause of missions. For this she lived, and toiled, and prayed, and cheerfully suffered. To be di- verted from her appropriate work, even to visit the father whom she so deeply venerated, and the sisters and brothers whom she so devotedly loved, was by her felt to be an affliction. It was only as the "last resort" that she could consent to re- turn to the United States. From the pain of quitting her field of labor God mercifully spared her. Contrary to the expectations of her friends and physicians, her disease yielded to the reme- EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 167 dies employed ; and she gradually and slowly, by the observance of a strict regimen, regained a cornfortible measure of health. With fresh ardor and augmented faith, she devoted herself to the duties of her station. In the discharge of these duties, she was found in the beginning of the year 1841. Let us prepare to follow her through another brief year of her life, now rapidly drawing to its close. To Mrs. Keeling. JAN. 9, 1841. My general health is much better than it was when I last wrote. I have had scarcely any symptom's of liver disease for the last six months; and I have every encouragement to hope that the means which have been used to repel that disease have been blessed ; and truly do I desire to as- cribe to my kind Protector all the praise. This time last winter, the doctors were urging me to try a change of climate, and I had well nigh con- cluded that I must die, or leave Macao for a sea- son. However, God, in his kindness, has restored me : and, I trust, yet to spend many happy years of toil in this land of darkness. My little school prospers. The girls improve much, both mentally and morally ; and I have great encouragement to persevere in teaching. Jane Maria reads very well, and improves aston- ishingly in writing. I hope she will soon be able to write you a letter. Akae is still with me, and proves a valuable assistant in teaching the younger children. At family prayers we read each two verses, and they (Akae and Jane) join with us, and, I am sure, read as well as most children 168 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. of their ages in America. I think much good may be accomplished by schools, and my desire is, to spend the remainder of my days in guiding the youthful step, and enlightening the ignorant mind of our sex, in this great land of paganism. So little has heretofore been done for the females, that I feel myself bound to exert my little influ- ence wholly on them. I do not wish to take into my school any boys. Mr. S. would like, if he could have a support guarantied to them, to take four boys under his special instruction. He will not attempt any thing like a large school, as his object is to preach constantly to the people ; and should there be a door opened into the empire, he hopes to enter at once, and to give all his time to this delightful employment. There is every probability that some part of China will be thrown open, as a few days ago a rupture took place between the English and Chi- nese, and the former took possession of the Bogue Forts. The English lost but one man, and twenty wounded in the engagement. We have not heard the loss of the Chinese, but it was considerable. The fighting had not ceased when we last had accounts ; and God only knows when and where these warlike operations will end. O, may they be overruled for his glory, and for the speedy entrance of his servants into the country. Chu- san is still held by the English, and should it be the only spot open, we expect to remove there in the course of a few months. It is thought by some that Canton will yet come under Eng- lish authority ; and should that be the case, we hope to remove there. We rejoice to commit our ways entirely to Jehovah. He will direct our EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 169 paths, and we feel no anxiety as to our future course. All we long for is to be placed at some spot, where, unmolestedly, we can teach His name to the Chinese, and point them to Him as their only Saviour. At present, we feel that we are doing little more than preparing to be useful. We study the language daily, and Mr. Shuck preaches every Sabbath to a few who assemble at our house, and he has a service every Friday night with the ser- vants, who live in our family. He also goes fre- quently into the villages and shops, and com- mends the Saviour to those who as yet care nought for him. Our teacher is a fine, gentlemanly young man, and gives us reason to believe that he is inquiring after truth. He evidently feels that the worship of idols is vain, and he desires to become fully acquainted with the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Shuck feels encouraged in regard to him, and thinks that he is seriously impressed. He would be an ornament to the church were he really a lover of the Saviour. I have never any where seen a more polite, decent, and gentlemanly person than he is, in every respect. Ma.y God turn his heart from every false doctrine, and incline him to serve him, and truly and fully to understand that there is no other name given among men, by which they can attain to eternal life, but that of Jesus." To her youngest Brother. "APRIL, 1841. My dear Bob. This address seems so sweet and natural, that I must still adopt it, though 15 170 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. perhaps you may feel that note you deserve a more manly one. I often think of you, my own, sweet little brother, and as I have written to all the older members of the family, I cannot slight you, and, therefore, I hastily pen you this scroll, to go early to-morrow morning. And what shall I say to you ? I almost weep, dear boy, yea, I do, while I write, and think of that darling white- headed innocent one, whom, a few years ago, it was my privilege to take special care of. You always seemed dearer to me than the rest, (though all were dear,) I suppose, because our sainted mother died while you were a mere babe, and I had you left so helpless on my hands ; and I must add too, that you were a good boy I sincerely hope the same may be said of you now. I hear from pa' that you are at Waverley, going to Miss Ann Gaskins's school. Let me knoxv how you like to study, and whether you improve, and what you are learning. I trust you are very polite and respectful to your teacher, and attend to all she says. You must give my love to her, and say it would gratify me much to receive a letter from her. Give my love also to all the family at Indian Creek, old and young, black and white, and especially 1o Henrietta Maria, and 'Pug.' Your little nephews, Lewis and Ryland, fre- quently ask me about you, and they call you ' Uncle Robert.' They teel very anxious to see you all, and say they would like to go to America, ' if mainm-i and papa will go too:' nothing, how- ever, could induce them to go without us. They are often amused, and listen with delight, when I tell them about the fine fruits, and candies, and good things in America, which they have not in EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 171 China. The strawberries especially attracted their remarks. Lewis said, 'O, if they grow, on the ground, we could get them ourselves plenty of them, too.' The fruits we have here, are, in my opinion, not to be compared to those with you; but I suppose you would think it a great treat to have oranges so plentiful as we have. They are just going out of season, and are selling at very high prices; the best being nearly one rait. Lewis and Ryland have three or four goats, all given them but one, which we bought. They have called one ' Bell,' one ' Sue,' and one ' Nanny.' Bell is a most spiteful, greedy thing, and quarrels and fights with the others, and tries always fo keep them from eating, and to secure all the food to herself. I trust the dear one after whom she is named possesses none of these quali- ties. I know she must have changed very much since I knew her, if she does. Every morning, the boys go with papa down into the garden, and feed them, and afterwards they are milked. They have also two turkeys. I think I told you all how expensive turkeys are in Macao. They sell sometimes for eighteen dollars apiece. Of course we don't buy. Fowls or chickens are cheap. Well, now, my sweet, darling little Bob, I must ask you, if you ever think about becoming a Christian. You used to say you would be a ' Baptist preacher,' and go to Burmah. Do you feel that you desire to give your heart to the Saviour? You are young; but remember that the young as well as the old must die. Dear Lucius died much younger than you are ; but I hope and believe he now lives with that Saviour of whom he used to talk so maturely. Think, too, of the 172 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. many texts in the Bible addressed to the young ' Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.' ' Those that seek me early shall find me.' I trust you will seek Christ early ; and that ' Sis. Net.' will, though separated here in this vale of tears, meet her fond brother in realms of bliss above. Write to me soon. Your brother Lewis says, ' You must be a very good boy, and learn your books well.' Adieu ! Your devoted sister." In nothing was the piety of Mrs. Shuck more strikingly exhibited than in her intense anxiety and faithful efforts for the salvation of her sisters and brothers. Residing in a distant and strange land, she might easily have filled her letters to them with incidents and descriptions of natural scenery, and the various products of Eastern art, far more interesting to them than pungent appeals on the subject of religion. She was under a strong temptation to do so. She was naturally cheerful, and had an eye to behold, a taste to ad- mire, and a fancy to paint, whatever was beautiful and grand in nature or in art. But she readily sacrificed the pleasing for the useful. She was accustomed to view every subject, and every interest, in the light of eternity. The letters to her brothers and sisters, inserted in the Memoir, are but fair specimens of her numerous communi- cations to them. They are all directed to the same object to persuade them to be pious and useful. Her first solicitude was for the conver- sion of Susan, who had been the endeared com- panion of her childhood. This was the object of her most fervent desire and most importunate EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 173 intercessions. The conversion of Susan trans- ferred her solicitude, if possible, with augmented tenderness, to her youngest sister, Isabella. Her joy at the conversion of Susan was soon absorbed in anxiety for that of Isabella. When she heard of Isabella's baptism, her joy seemed to be full. Her brothers, who were young when she left America, began now to attract her pious solicitude. The above letter is a sample of the simple and skilful method by which she sought to allure her little brothers to the service of Christ. The compiler has rarely seen any thing of the kind so artless, so affectionate, and so admirably adapted to interest, win, and impress the tender heart of a child. ' If her brothers should be heedless of the kind, gentle, pious, I may say heavenly entreaties and admonitions of their fond, departed sister, they will incur no common guilt. We trust the strong confidence which she cherished in the sal- vation of all her endeared family will receive an early and joyful confirmation. We will proceed with Mrs. Shuck's corre- spondence. To her Sister Susan. " APRIL, 1841. Ere this reaches you, you will, perhaps, no longer bear the name of Miss Susan Hall; but it will have been converted into the more so- ber appellation of Mrs. Susan Critti:nd<:n. I say ' perhaps,' because so many disappointments of that kind do happen. I therefore know not how to write. If you are married, I pray the Lord to bestow on you and yours every needful blessing, both temporal and spiritual ; if still single, may 15* 174 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. that same kind Father guide and direct you in the path of duty. I will just say, that I am sat- isfied with your choice. 'Tis true, I did hope some missionary would 'pick you up;' but, as you say that you committed it to God, and prayed over jt, I will, of course, feel that He has directed your path. I suppose Lady Bell will be looking out, too, for a new name, by and by. You must be watchful over her, and give her all the good advice you can on this, as well as other matters. May you both, my dear girls, ever keep in view, amidst all your varied scenes, the great and truly important change which awaits us all. Let us be ever on the look-out for that messenger which shall sum- mon us to another and unchanging state of exist- ence, and so live, from day to day, as to go in peace and joy." The following letter to Mrs. Hall is given as a specimen of the easy, unpretending style of her most familiar and unreserved correspondence. "MACAO, APRIL 19, 1841. My dear Ma', Yesterday our hearts were gladdened by the arrival of letters and boxes from home. The box from you and the family contained many pretty and useful articles, and gave us renewed evidence that we still live in your memories, and share in your love. The dear boys stood by, and were enraptured whilst we opened, and took from the box its contents. The purses, and marbles, &,c., greatly charmed them. Every thing American is of great consequence with them. I took the EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 175 pretty mugs, and was about placing them away, when they loudly called out, ' O mamma, they are mine ! ' I then said, ' Yes, dear, but you must take care of these beautiful mugs, and use them only when you are sick.' Ryland immediately replied, ' Yes! yes! and I am sick now, mamma,' which was quite out of the way, as he never was in finer health. However, I gratified them, and allowed them that night to drink their tea out of them. Doubtless they never before sipped such delicious tea. Akae and Jane are equally pleased with their books ; and Lewis and Henrietta no less gratified with their various and suitable pres- ents. We are now preparing some presents for you, which we hope to send very soon. But now to your affectionate and kind letter. It was dated June 15, 1840. Since then, dear ma', how many changes have taken place, both in your family and mine ! To me your present circumstances are unknown, and you are equally ignorant as to mine. How delightful to know that there is One to whom they are known ; and that One rules, and overrules, all for the good of those who put their trust in him ! One of the changes I will now advert to is, the birth of my darling little daughter, ' Henrietta Layton,' who is not yet three weeks old, but looks more like a babe of three months. She thrives, and is a lovely child. May she, with her brothers, be' trained in the way they should go.' Of course we feel additional responsibilities devolving on us. Pray for us, dear ma', that we may be en- abled to discharge our varied duties aright. I will just, by the way, here tell you why we have called her ' Layton.' Mr. and Mrs. L. 176 MEMOIR OF MBS. SHUCK. lived in China some years, and were truly onr friends. Many evidences did they give us of this fact. They have since removed, and are now living in or near Bristol, (Eng.,) and their kind- ness to us continues to be manifested in sending us letters and presents. In Isabella's box, you will find some bits of muslin, like dresses which I lately received from Mrs. L., together with a variety of other very necessary articles. Indeed, I now write on a most beautiful portable desk, neatly fitted up with pens, knives, wax, &-c., which Mr. L. sent to Mr. S. The kindness of these friends, and the hope of benefiting them in a religious way, have caused us to name our love after them. You would love these friends if you knew them, and I am sure you do already for our sakes. Mrs. L. came to see me one cold winter day, and found me trembling with cold, as the floor of our room admitted the wind through the cracks. She went home, and actually took a carpet from her own room and sent it to me, which carpet now covers my bed-room. Was not this kind ? A thousand other evidences of her affection could I mention did time permit. Dear ma', we have very many friends in Macao. Scarcely a week passes that we do not receive some useful present. Ship biscuit and wafer crackers we have in abundance all given to us. We trust our hearts are filled with gratitude to God, for putting it into the hearts of these dear friends to bestow on us so many favors. But really I must close. Baby begs for her ' tiffin,' or snack, by piteous cries so I must say adieu." EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 177 To Mrs. Hall, her Step-Mother. "JUNE 1, 1841. How vast the contrast between your situation and mine ! Around me all is drear and dark. Sin, idolatry, and death, abound here. The peo- ple with whom /dwell, unlike to your associates, care nought for the Sabbath, nor for Him who hath hallowed it. They toil on, regardless of eternity, and careful about those minor things only, which concern this world. They are told of heaven and of happiness are instructed in those truths, so dear to us, which the word of God contains ; but, alas ! the soil of their hearts is barren, -and the seed sown will not even take root. Dear ma', think of these perishing crea- tures, the workmanship of God's hand, and plead constantly and fervently for them." ( 178 ) CHAPTER X. 1842-3 Removal to Hong Kong Reasons for removing Mr. 8. raises Money to erect Chapels Becomes assistant Editor of a Paper Prospects of Usefulness Mr. I).-;in 's Arrival Mrs. Shuck please. 1 in Hong Kong China opening for the Gospel Heat of the Climate Letter to Isabella Various Reflections Letter from Dr. Diver to Mr. Hall itaptlaim Rriplitening Pnwpects Increase of Mrs. Shuck's domestic Cares Death of Mrs. Dean I .-itmrs of the Missionaries Mrs. S.'s Health |>oor Proof of her Devotion to Missions Affectionate Disposition Sickness of Netty Mr. Shuck's Postscript Destitution of tbe Kngtish Sol- diers' Wives. MRS. SHUCK'S next letter was from the Island of Hong Kong, 40 miles east of Macao, at which place she passed the remainder of her life. The causes of her removal are sufficiently explained in the following letter to her father : " MAT 2, 1842. I have just finished a long letter to Mrs. K., and am almost too much fatigued to commence one to you, yet I feel upbraided for having so long neglected to write to you. The fact is, that you are so particular about writing, and your letters are penned with so much accuracy, th;it I never like to write to you unless every thing is exactly as I wish, pens, paper t ink, time, place, <$*c., and it seldom so happens that I am thus suited to my liking. Now, if I can overcome this feeling, I shall be sure to let you have my scrolls oftener than hitherto. I now seat myself with all these things against me with only a tolerable pen, EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 179 thin paper, tired out, baby crying, Lewis and Ry- land running here, there, and every where, and altogether out of sorts, still I will force myself to begin. When once begun, I shall go on more easily, and you, if you please, while perusing these lines, will kindly bear in mind all my in- conveniences, and pardon what you see amiss. Well, to begin you will, doubtless, wish to know what we are doing at Hong Kong. This place, which, you will recollect, was taken by the English two years ago, is fast rising to a city, af- fords facilities for missionary labor, and, withal, is considered a healthy spot. My health required a change ; we thought of America ; a free passage was offered us via England, and we had almost decided to embrace the offer. We earnestly sought guidance from Him, who ever directs the paths of those who commit their ways to him ; and, in his providence, we were led to think of going to Hong Kong, instead of America. But what were we to do when we went there ? We had no money with which to purchase land and build houses. Again, we went to the never-fail- ing Source. The thought struck Mr. Shuck, that, as he was extensively acquainted in Macao and Canton, he would apply to his acquaintances, who had ever proved themselves willing to assist him, in promoting the interests of missions. The God of missions blessed the effort, and in a few days he collected about fifteen hundred dollars went over to Hong Kong to see about obtaining ground for building a chapel wrote a polite let- ter to the plenipotentiary, (Sir Henry Pottinger,) and obtained a free grant of a lovely spot. God had most sigually blessed him, and now it was his 180 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. duty to persevere in the work to which he had put his hand. We determined immediately to move over ; when, lo ! to our sorrow, a sad blow was given. We received authentic accounts of the entire failure of Boyd &/ Co., agents of our Board, from whom we, and the other missionaries in the East, under the patronage of that Board, obtained our funds. We were without money were threatened with want could not get money without borrowing this we did not wish to do, for we knew not how much the society had lost by this failure, and we might not have it in our power to repay what we borrowed. Perplexed and grieved, we could do nothing but commit our way to God, knowing assuredly that all things shall work together for good to them that love him. In the midst of all, a bright spot breaks through the dark cloud. A well-educated gentle- man, hearing of Mr. Shuck's situation, offers to pay his expenses over to Hong Kong, give a com- fortable house to live in, and fifty dollars monthly, if he would take the joint editorship, and super- intend the printing of a paper, which he wished to publish. The way is plain it is never dishon- orable to work ; so (though, under other circum- stances, as our chief object is to labor for the con- version of the heathen, he would have rejected the offer) he accepts the proposition, and engaged himself for one year. 'Friend of China' is the name of the paper, a copy of which shall be regularly sent to you. We came over, and set- tled ourselves comfortably. Now, though Mr. S. is connected with this paper, his missionary work is not suspended. He has engaged builders, who are now erecting a splendid chapel on the lot EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 181 previously mentioned, to be called ' Queen's-Road Baptist Chapel ; ' is putting up another building in the Bazaar, in the midst of the Chinese dwell- ings, to be called the 'Bazaar Baptist Chapel;' has formed a school consisting of twelve boys, which he superintends ; is erecting a private resi- dence for ourselves, near to the first-named chapel ; preaches three times on the Sabbath, twice to Chinese and once to English soldiers; and, I trust, is moving in a sphere of greater usefulness than he has been since our arrival on heathen territory. But again, for I must spin my yarn still longer, two weeks after Mr. S. thus connected himself with the paper, he received a letter, in which it is stated most satisfactorily that he is at liberty, with all the other missionaries, to draw on Alex- ander, Esq., for three fourths of our salary. So much the better, for now (we could not do it before) we commence building a mission-house, spending on it all the money we can save through the strictest economy ; and it will be given to the Society, notwithstanding it is built in part of our private funds. We do not wish for property. No, we feel that He who feeds the ravens and clothes the grass of the fields, will provide for our fond offspring. I will not cherish one feeling otherwise. To the service of our heavenly Fa- ther we devoted ourselves, our all, and I feel strong faith in his precious promises. He will be with us to the end of our pilgrimage, and when we slumber in the tomb, the same kind care will, I believe, be extended to the dear objects of our love. It would be base in us now, after so many proofs of his faithfulness, not to trust to him for the future. 16 182 MEMOIR OP MRS. SHUCK. Since commencing this letter, I have heard of .the arrival of Rev. Mr. Dean and wife, with two native Christians, one to assist Mr. Shuck in making known to his deluded countrymen the gospel of peace. Mr. Dean's health h'ld quite tailed in Bankok, and as he derived such essen- tial beuefit from his previous visit to Macao, he has come again ; I am happy to say, however, not on a visit, but with the intention of settling in China. It is not, just at present, expedient for him to move his wife over here, but, as soon as circumstances will permit, they will come over, and be connected with us in the mission. They may hereafter go northward, as it remains to be seen whether there is a sufficient number of Chinese in this place, speaking the dialect which he understands, to justify his locating here. We should much like to have him and his wife associated with us. May God direct ! There is abundant work here, on the Island of Hong Kong, for several missionaries. But I have not yet told you whether I like living here. I trust, my first inquiry on going to any place will ever be, Can I be useful here ? If not, I could not be happy. So far, I see many ways in which I can be more useful here than in Macao: the change has decidedly improved my health , and the place is under the English gov- ernment, and a protection is afforded to its inhab- itants, not enjoyed in Macao. On the whole, I much prefer my present residence to Macao ; though, being a new settlement, we are deprived of many comforts, and of society. I w? a the jirst female who came to reside here. One other, a Mrs. Ramsay, has come since. I feel the want EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 183 of the delightful society of the missionaries with whom I associated at Macao ; but soon they will, many of them, come over. Mr. Brown, Dr. Hobson, Mr. Bridgmaii, D. D., are preparing to build here. The merchants are building largely, and in a few months, most likely, there will be many families living here. Mr. Boone, Mr. Mac- bryde, and others, studying the Fokeen dialect, will go to Amoy. Mr. Abeel has already gone there. China, dear pa', is no longer what it was. Doors are flying open, and missionaries, carrying with them the bread of life, are entering. The war, though it has been the means of much devastation and many deaths, has also been the means ef opening the eyes of these blind and ignorant people. I sincerely pray that a peaceful settlement may soon take place between the two contending nations, and the millions who survive the war may yet bless God for the affliction sent on them, inasmuch as it has been the means of opening the closed doors to the heralds of the cross." To Mrs. Hall. "JoiiB 13, 1842. Dear ma', you have no conception of the heat of this and other Eastern climates. We feel incapable often to walk, stand, or eat ; indeed, the most difficult task I have to do, sometimes, is to eat my breakfast, so languid do I feel. It is not so with me just now, as my appetite is very good. The most comfortable place in h; t ueuther is the bathing-room, in which I keep severul tubs, of different sizes, full of water. My dear boys go in, and swim about, (as they call it,) several 184 MEMOIR OF MBS. SHUCK. times during the day. They enjoy most excel- lent health, and, I trust, their precious little sister will, after her teeth are done troubling her. She has been healthy from her birth, till within the last several months she has seemed exceedingly delicate. I had to take her to Macao, a few weeks ago, for the change, and also to seek medi- cal advice, as there was no physician here at the time. The change proved beneficial to her. How much care and anxiety do these little dears cost their mothers ! I often think how much children owe their parents, and how base it is in them when they are ungrateful to them. I feel very thankful to you for your kind letter of Nov. 23, 1841, which came to hand a few days ago. It had been a long time since I received a letter from you, and I was anxiously expecting one. Your account of the tour you made with pa' was particularly interesting, and to hear of so many joining the church of God really afforded me heartfelt joy. I rejoiced to hear that two, for whom I tried to pray, had embraced religion, viz. S. L. S. and S. D. Give my love to them, and may they prove faithful to their Creator, and finally receive a crown of life." To her Sister Isabella. "JUNE 14,1842. And now, dear Bell, let me thank you most heartily for your long, kind letter of Nov. 10, 1841, which I received a day or two ago, with others from the family, and also a goodly number of religious papers. Your improvement in writ- ing is very great, and delights me much. If you persevere, you will soon be able to write with ease EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 185 and elegance, and you must bear in mind that ' practice makes perfect,' and write a great many letters to me, and your dear brother, who, I assure you, loves you devotedly, as also all the family. You mention the death of J. H., whom 1 recol- lect, and cousin E.'s eldest child. I sincerely sympathize with the parents of both, and while I believe that those of the former will have grace given them to bear with Christian submission the will of God, I trust those of the latter may be brought to a sense of their own state, and seek to follow their darling daughter to the mansions of the blest. It is to me, my dear sister, a mat- ter of thankfulness, while I hear of one and another falling into the grave, that my sisters and brothers are still permitted to live. But I desire to have my mind prepared for any thing that may come. I cannot expect, in this world of change and sorrow, to pass through the journey of life without feeling some of the pangs which others have experienced. I may yet follow to their last resting-place one or more of my sweet offspring. I may live to hear of the death of my fond father, my sisters, or my brothers ; or, what is worse than all, I may be bereft of the devoted compan- ion of my youth, and left a widow in a foreign land. I know not which of these evils may befill me, or whether I may not fall a victim to disease, and leave my husband and my children alone in this unfriendly world. But one thing I feel assured of, which often affords me comfort, that my times are in the hands of God, and that all things shall work together for good to them that love an'd serve him. Why should I trouble my- gelf, then, as to the future? No, let me rejoice 16* 186 MEMOIR OF MES. SHUCK. always, even in affliction. What would this world be without an interest in Christ ? What but religion can bear us up under the trials of life ? What else can cause us to trend, with joy- ful steps, the sometimes dark and unknown paths of life ? Let us, then, ever rely on Christ, re- solving, that, let others do as they may, as for us, we will love and serve' the Lord. I had a long conversation, yesterday afternoon, with an English gentleman, who is intelligent in the things of this world, but manifests a woful ignorance of the plan of redemption. He told me he believed that there is a God, a heaven, but no hell; and that all was 'fudge' concerning the punishment . of the wicked hereafter. He made many such harsh and wild remarks. I told him plainly what I knew, and what I thought he might expect, except he should repent of his sins, and seek pardon from a merciful but just God. He thought me a fanatic, and I thought him what is worse. He rose to leave, after some time, and said, ' Well, Mrs. Shuck, I'll leave your delusion 'tis all a dream.' Said I, 'Happy for you were it so ; ' and we parted, when I most devoutly prayed to God to cause him to see himself a vile sinner." Dr. Diver, having left the East on account of his health, settled in Athens, Ohio. Under date of Oct. 1842, he addressed the following letter to Rev. Mr. Hall: " I received to-day, from the hands of a gentle- man from Philadelphia, a large parcel of letters from China, among which was one from you, in DR. DIVER'S LETTER TO MR. HALL. 187 answer to my letters having special reference to the health of your daughter, Mrs. Shuck. And although two years have elapsed since this letter was written, I feel called upon to think you for the kind wishes expressed; and though fur re- moved from the interesting family at Macao," (now in Hong Kong,) " who still hive my warm affection. I often wish I could get intelligence from them. The interesting SCCIIPS I witnessed among them often rise vividly before my mind, and I fancy I see the bright-black-eyed Lewis, or the laughing, romping little Ryland, running to meet me, as I enter their father's hospitable dwell- ing ; or hastening to shut the door, as I rise to go, lest my "visit be too short. Sometimes, I think 1 hear them calling me to stop, and wait to take them down to ' Sha-lan-tsai.' O ! how my heart throbs with love to that dear family ! my affec- tion for them while I was in China was sincere and ardent, and now, while separated, it appears to strengthen." To her Father. " SEPT. 3, 1842. Mr. Shuck has his hands full, and most excellent attendance on his preaching, both in Chinese and English. He has buptized several persons lately, and there seems to be a gleam of hope that God will pour out his spirit on the in- habitants of this place." To Mrs. Keeling. "ApniL 23, 1843. I am reminded of the great length of time which has passed since I wrote to you, by looking 188 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. over the Religious Herald, which has lately reached us, and in which I see some extracts from my last communication to you. I know you will excuse me, for though I plead guilty, yet I may somewhat lessen that guilt by giving you an account of the extraordinary circumstances of my family. For some months my own health was very, very precarious, and my little Henrietta was at the same time in exceedingly delicate health, and being without a nurse for her, I was much occupied in taking care of her. For the sake of change, I took her to Macao, leaving the boys with their papa. In the mean time, Mr. Dean and his family removed over to Hong Kong, and took up their residence in our family, which, of course, greatly augmented my domestic duties. About four months ago, a young Chinese lad, who had embraced religion, and been baptized in Baltimore, arrived here, and having no means of support, we took him in to share with us our pit- tance. Two months after, Dr. MacGovvan arrived, and he finds with us also a home. He found us all in reasonable health. My little Jane was then recovering from the chicken-pox. Soon after, another little girl, Mecha, was taken down with high fever. We all hoped it was only chicken- pox ; but in a few days the doctors affirmed it to be varioloid. She was ill for two weeks, and re- quired constant attention and care on my part. As she became better, Mrs. Dean was one day suddenly taken ill. Her fever raged beyond the power of medical skill, for some three or four days, when an eruption followed, which was pro- nounced to be confluent kmall-pox. In eight days from the time she became ill, she fell asleep in EXTRACTS FROM HER BETTERS. 189 Jesus. As to the state of .her mind, we can say nothing. We think, from the expression of her countenance, she was sensible to the last; but for four days previous to her death, the power of speech had failed ; all she could say was, ' No,' indistinctly. You can easily enter into my feel- ings, with so many children exposed to this dreadful disease. Mrs. Dean had been vaccinat- ed, and I feared that, as in her case vaccination proved to be no security against the small-pox, it might not in ours. I could only look to the never-failing Source of comfort, feeling assured, that as my day, so should my strength be. Thanks to a kind Providence, no other case of the disease has occurred in the family. We all feel the loss we have sustained in the death of our dear sister, and warned to put our houses in order. She was in perfect health, and most likely to live of any in the house. The morning previous to her attack, she took a walk of several miles before sun-up, and while sitting at breakfast, I observed how well she appeared, and how rosy were her cheeks. She remarked that she felt great concern for my health, and begged me to walk early in the mornings. Alas ! how little did she, or any of us, think that in eight days more her rosy cheeks would be pale, and her active limbs stiff in death ! I feel that the mission have sustained a great loss. She was eminently prepared for usefulness, having ac- quired such a knowledge of the Chinese language as to enable her to read it, and compose in it, with facility. I feel her loss, for she was kind enough to take the charge of my children and pupils two hours every day, and give them instruction. 190 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. They were making astonishing progress, and the arrangement greatly relieved me. I deeply sym- pathize with our dear brother D., who is again left with an infant daughter. His two little girls, Matilda and Fanny, are each representatives of a departed mother. God truly moves in a mysteri- ous way; his thoughts are not as our thoughts. We, poor, short-sighted mortals, cannot now see why (he wife and mother has been taken away ; but, by and by, we shall know, and rejoice that thus it was. Bro. D. bears his loss with astonish- ing fortitude and Christian manliness. May we all, by this Providence, remember th'it we, too, are mortal, and may we be roused to diligence in our Master's cause, knowing, assuredly, that the night cometh in which no man can work. Pray for me, my dear sister. / may be the next victim of the destroyer. I feel, as Mrs. Newell said, ' this mud-wall cottage shake.' O that I may be ready for its fall ! I have some two or three items more to com- municate, which I am assured will interest you and brother K. Relative to our labors here at present, I am encouraged to say, that we believe the pleasure of the Lord to be prospering in our hands. The church, which numbered five mem- bers at its constitution, has now lucre. ised four- fold. Two clripels are completed, and large congregations of both Chinese and English as- semble to hear the preached gospel. Mr. Shuck is assisted by brother Dean, and the brethren of other denominations, in English services, which are held at the Queen' s-Road-C ha pel three times a week. He preaches in this clvipel every Sabbath, at 2 o'clock, P. M., and every Friday EXTRACTS FROM HE* LETTERS. 191 night, and three times a week he holds sen ice in the Bazaar Chapel, in Chinese, besides having family worship at night in Chinese, and in the morning in English, at our own house. Messrs. Roberts and Dean have their services also at the Bazaar Chapel. Mr. Dean holds family prayers with his domestics, and others, in his own study every morning. Truth seems to be taking hold on the minds of the people. A few Sabbaths ago, Mr. Shuck had the privilege of baptizing a mer- chant and his wife ; and this morning we again visited the baptismal waters, and saw him lead into the liquid grave a young English soldier, who gives pleasing evidence of being born again. Bro. De;wi followed, leading two others, who, but a few months ago, bowed their knees to gods of wood and stone. Yes, my dear friend, our hearts are encouraged, indeed, to see two Chinese thus put on Christ before the world. O ! may they walk in newness of life. We expect more will soon apply for baptism. I feel encouraged, also, concerning my dear little Jane Maria. I believe God is at work with her. O ! if she should be saved, it will be worth all my toil and all my sacrifices. The joy will far outweigh all the sorrow it cost me to bid adieu to the land of my nativity, my father's house, the circle of brothers, sisters, and Christian friends, and I shall feel that to have been the humble instrument in snatching this tender lamb from the lion's den, will cause me more happiness than to have gained the wealth of worlds. Shall I, O! shall /, un- worthy as I am, reach heaven, and there meet any one of this people, who, but for me, would have sunk to woe ? The thought is too much for me ; I cannot dwell on it." 192 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. During most of the year 1843, Mrs. Shuck's health was extremely feeble. At the birth of her fourth child, Oscar Devan, she was on the very verge of the grave. Her physician, at one time, almost despaired of her recovery. God, however, again raised her up, so lhat she was able to attend to her domestic duties. It was evident that her constitution was gradually failing under the ener- vating influence of the climate and repeated attacks of disease. In the month of July, through the advice of her doctor, she visited Macao, leaving her husband and two older children, and taking with her little Netty, in very poor health, and her youngest child, an infant. At this time, her weight was only eighty-five pounds, though when she left America it was more than one hundred. Her letters, at this period, bear obvious marks of her feebleness and lassitude. They are not com- posed with so much vivacity, nor penned with so much care and accuracy, as those of former years. In one respect, however, it is pleasing to observe, they suffer no diminution. They exhibit the same strong confidence in God, and breathe the same fervent spirit of piety, and devotion to the work of missions, which characterized her for- mer correspondence. She gave, at this time, an affecting proof of her entire consecration to the missionary work. She was most ardently at- tached to her father, and her relatives generally. She would have enjoyed greatly a visit to the United States. In a letter to her sister Susan, written at this period, she says, " My feeling," with respect to visiting America, " is, the will of God be done. If he wills it, most gladly would we turn our faces homeward ; if not, most joy- REMARKS BY THE COMPILER. 193 fully will we live and die in China. At present, we see not the least prospect that we shall ever visit America. God, by his providences, seems to be stationing us more permanently at Hong Kong. Still we know not what is in the womb of futurity. A short time and all our plans may be thwarted : we may be on our journey to old Virginia, or we may be safely landed in our last resting-place. God Almighty direct. Leave us not to ourselves" Shortly after this, some of the members of the mission proposed that Mrs. Shuck should visit America ; but she promptly declined doing so. A visit to Macao might re- store her health ; at any rate, she hoped to be able, by care, to endure the heat of summer, and that the bracing weather of winter would restore her usual health. " May the Lord," said she, " ever direct us aright. I have always felt it a most delightful privilege to commit my way to him." For nothing was Mrs. Shuck more remarkable than for the affectionateness of her disposition. She loved every one with whom she became ac- quainted, and was quite sure to secure a recipro- cation of this feeling. Her generous heart knew no distinction between the high and the low. She ever exhibited a sincere attachment to her father's servants, and a fervent solicitude for their spiritual welfare. In her letters to her family, she often speaks of them in the kindest terms. Take the following extract as a specimen : " Much love to all the servants. Tell them that I love them still. How are my poor old Chaina, Violet, Levin*, Solomon, and the others? Is Solomon not a Christian yet? Tell him ' Miss Henrietta' 17 194 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. remembers and prays for him, and wishes to meet him in heaven. I trust that Chaina, Violet, and Lcvina are not growing tired, but pressing on to Canaan. Ask them to pray for me, arid for the poor heathen, whose minds are very dark who worship wood and stone." To Mrs. Keeling. " SEPT. 27, 1843. Your letter is full of good news. To hear of so many joining the ranks of the Lord is in- deed glorious tidings. O, may they all prove faithful, and finally receive a crown of glory ! Are you not encouraged to find such a large num- ber amongst them, who were once your pupils? Is it not reasonable to suppose that your instruc- tions were the means of leading them, or some of them at least, to think of their eternal destiny? Be encouraged then, my dear, affectionate friend, and go on sowing the seed, and you will most assuredly reap, if you faint not. The precious instructions, on many points, which I received from you and your dear husband, are still fresh in my memory : and, though while young I thought not so much of them, yet now, in maturer years, they are treasures, yea, seed, which, sown in the morning, are now springing up. I can never for- get your kindness to me and my sweet sisters. Your reward awaits you in a better world. I often think of the kind, the tender way in which you spoke to me : if you had to correct, it was done with so much love that it won upon me, and increased rather than diminished my affection for you ; and while almost every one with whom I met endeavored to pour cold water on the little EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 195 flame of missionary spirit which I cherished, you and your companion fanned and enlivened it by your kind and judicious suggestions. Had the providence of God not placed me under your in- structions, I sometimes think the unkind remarks which were made concerning my going as a mis- sionary might have wounded my spirit, so as to cause me to decide that I was not called of God to this work. But at your school I was taught to feel more and more for the perishing heathen, and not till I had been with you some time did 1 decide logo. You speak of desiring to see me again in America. If it be the will of God, I feel that it would afford me great happiness to visit that land, to meet once more, face to face, my kindred and friends, but not unless it be his will. The future is to me unknown, but I feel the greatest joy in committing my way to God. He will di- rect, I know he will. Little Henrietta is still a delicate plant, and I sometimes fear that this uncongenial clime will prove fatal to her. For the last eight months she has had a constant diarrhoea, which has baffled the skill of the best physicians, and the greatest care on my part as to her diet. It still hangs on her, and I know not what to do. A trip to Macao had no good effect. She is cheerful, sleeps well, has an excellent appetite, and to appearance is well ; but I fear the complaint, having now assumed a chronic form, will Hie very hard to cure. Still I will hope for the best, and trust the cold weather will prove beneficial to her, as well as to her mother, who is almost always suffering in the same way. Mr. Shuck's health is remarkable. 196 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. He is as strong, I think, as when he was in America, and is busy from early morn till late at night." Appended to this letter there is a postscript from Mr. Shuck. It is as follows : " Mrs. Shuck's head will not allow her to fin- ish this sheet, and therefore she turns over this side to me. I had determined to write you, and your dear husband, a long letter, and I h;ive not yet abandoned the determination to do so, ere- long. Henrietta has given you all the family news. As to my labors, I may remark that they are encouraging, amidst a vast deal of discourage- ment. The church under my care a few months ago numbered twenty-six members ; but death has taken away three in the triumphs of faith, and we have been compelled to exclude two native members, who were baptized by Mr. Roberts. Still my congregations are large and very inter- esting, and I have seven or eight inquirers, who afford me much hope. Three of these are highly literary men in their own country, u fourth is a Chinese physician, and fifth is a priest of the Budha sect three are applicants for baptism. My health never was better, and I am allowed the great privilege of holding eleven Chinese services weekly. The Chinese congregations on Lord's days at public preaching are large and attentive. Pray for us we most of all need the descent of the Holy Spirit. I sometimes think that the hearts of the Chinese are farther from God than those of any other people. I suffer fo- want of a colleague. Mr. Dean's church wor- EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 197 ship in the Bazaar Chapel, where he also has large and interesting congregations. Mr. D. and I, you know, speak entirely clifferents dialects he the Tea Chew, and I the Canton. He Jives in our faatily, and is a most worthy brother. Our mission has been greatly strengthened by the arrival of Dr. MacGowan, a pious and intelligent young gentleman, of the right missionary stamp. lie left us a day or two ago to establish a new station at Ningpo. I am truly pleased with the ' Va. Baptist Preacher,' and shall always be glad to receive it. Good Brother K \ laud has been sending me copies of it. It is judiciously edited, because the right man hasliold of it. Sincerely do I hope that our appeal to the Richmond churches (to send out and support a missionary) will meet with suc- cess, and we shall be permitted to welcome a missionary family from Va. How easily could both missionary and money be provided, were the disciples willing. It is most distressing to think how little moral power the vast accessions to the Baptist churches bring to them. This circum- stance prevents me from reading the accounts of revivals with that interest I used to do. I sus- pect the piety of inactive Christian professors. ' By their fruits ye shall know them.' " To her Sister Susan. "DEC. 19, 1843. On this, the anniversary of your birthday, allow me, my dear sister, to express many wishes for your happiness, and that of your beloved George and darling child. May you yet live to see many, many years, and as you grow older, 198 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHTTCK. become riper and riper for that heavenly state, unmeasured by time. How rapidly are we borne on by the wings of time ! I can scarcely believe that you are twenty-two, and I twenty-six years old. A little while ago we were children togeth- er, enjoying the society of each other, and that of our dear parents, brothers, and sister. Years have glided oh, and the present one finds us mar- ried, and bearing the responsible, but delightful relation of mother. Time, however, with all its withering changes, has not diminished the sis- terly affection existing between us. No, dear sister, though so far, far away from you, and so many years have passed since I looked upon your face, I still love you, still remember you. It affords me happiness, too, to be assured that the feelings I have for you are reciprocated. In reviewing our past lives, do we not see the abounding love of our heavenly Father towards us? How gently, if at all, has his afflictive hand been laid upon us ! Others around us have sick- ened and died, while we remain as monuments of his mercy O ! may we not prove ungrateful monuments; but the time past of our lives suf- ficing us to have wrought the will of the flesh, may we now renew our strength, and, with determined zeal, endeavor to glorify God. I have a large and interesting field of labor before me amongst the soldiers' wives and chil- dren. I visit them frequently, give them books, and pray with the sick among them. They are the most destitute set of human beings I ever saw. Many of them have not a second dress, or gar- ment of any kind. I find use for all my old clothes, and I have begged the other ladies for EXTRACTS FKOM HER LETTERS. 199 theirs. Money was given me to expend for them, and I purchased a piece of coarse, but good, warm cloth, and gave it to the little boys for j-ickets and trousers ; and their little counte- nances told me, that when they bowed, and said; ' Thank you, ma'am/ they felt it. The great cause of their distress has been a fire, which broke out and consumed, not only their houses, (which were made of matting,) but every thing they possessed. They fortunately escaped them- selves with little harm to their bodies. Sickness has disabled others of them, who were not burnt out, from working ; so that altogether they are in a most suffering condition in this cold weather far worse than that of the slaves in Virginin, not- withstanding the English speak so harshly of American slavery. I wish they would cast the beam out of their own eye. The allowance by government for these poor creatures is very small indeed." ( 200 ) CHAPTER XI. 1844 Closing Year of MM. Shuck's Life Her C< rresnondence con- tinued Manner of spending her Time Progress in the Chinese Language Her Youthful Appearance The Frigate Brandy wine Mr. Walthall's Illness Beautiful Extract Ti-mutntions of Missionaries Allusion to Mrs. Dean's Death Solemn Anticipa- tions Remarks concerning them Contributions to Mrs. Shuck's School Increase of it Obstacles to Female Education Indis- position to Writing Opening School-room Last Letter to her Father Arrival of Dr. and Mrs. Devan Her Father's Picture Last Letter to her Family Religious Enjoyment Note to Mr*. Keeling Her last Letter Remarks. WE have now reached the last year in the life of Mrs. Shuck. She is still young, riot having attained to the maturity of her mental powers. She has acquired such a knowledge of the Chinese language as enables her to converse in it with facility and propriety. Having by long-continued intercourse become acquainted with the manners and customs of the natives, she is well qualified to conciliate, interest, and instruct them. She is placed in a sphere of great and increasing useful- ness, as the mother of an interesting family, the companion of an active and successful missionary, and the teacher of a large and promising native school. She has begun to reap the fruit of her anxious toil. Through long and dark years she has been praying and waiting for China to be opened for the reception of the gospel, and pre- EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 201 paring herself, by incessant study, to teach the idolatrous Chinese the way of life. The clouds are now dispersing. The heathen are now be- ginning to " turn from dumb idols to serve the living and true God." The consummation so long and so devoutly wished, seems to be at hand. But God's ways are not as our ways. To her Sister Susan. " MARCH 16, 1844. I will now tell you exactly how my hours are spent. In the first place, I must with shame say that I do not rise early. Indeed I sleep so late in the morning, now-a-days, that I can ac- complish" but very little before breakfast. I did, a liWle while ago, take a long ride in my sedan chair before sunrise, but I can't do it in the win- ter time. Well, by ten o'clock my duties of a private and domestic nature are all attended to, and then I have ten Chinese lads, and my own two boys, my two girls, and three European children, soldiers' daughters, whom I teach till twelve o'clock. Then, as you may suppose, I feel tired, and I get something to eat, say a cup of tea, and a waffle, and rest for half an hour. Then I sing, and rock my Netty (for she is still the pet) to sleep. I go around, and see that every thing is neat and tidy, after which I either read, write, mend or make clothes, and attend to the instruction of the, girls in needle-work, &c. At four, we dine. After dinner I generally go out to see some of my missionary friends, and spend an hour. I often take my children with me, un- less their papa is at home, as I do not like to leave them to the care of the native servants. I 202 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. come home, we take tea, and chat till 8 o'clock, when I hear the children read the Bible, and have prayer with them. Mr. Shuck is eng iged at the same time, in another room, with the Chinese servants, and any others who miy desire to attend his meeting. The children are generally in bed by half-past eight, and then I hive a little while to myself. I sometimes visit the soldiers' wives, pray with the sick amongst them, and distribute Bibles and tracts. I have now pretty much given you a detailed account of my daily occupations. Of course there are interruptions sometimes, but not often. It does not seem much, and yet I have no time to idle. I forgot to tell you tint one Fri- day in every month we have a maternal meeting : I take with me all my children but baby." To her Sister Isabella. 'MARCH, 1844. You ask, if I have much time to study the language ; I answer, that I am so situated as to be compelled to speak Chinese constantly. All our servants are Chinese, and we h ;ve a school of twenty boys, who speak no English, so that I study it in this way, which is perhaps the best. I fl ttter myself that I speak this 1 .nguage quite well; at least, I have no difficulty in understand- ing and being understood. I cannot say I have as yet ceased my English education. I feel that I must exert myself to acquire information, on account of my boys, who are fist growing up, and must nece.sarily receive much of their education from me. I ana reading Rollin's Ancient History. O, I sorrow over the precious hours I threw away iu my girlish folly ! Now I see the need EXTRACTS FROM HER LETTERS. 203 of study. I feel thankful to my dear pa' for his endeavors to give ne a good education. Ah! he was a good f ither to me in every respect. I feel his loss, though I will not say loss, he is still my father, and his letters now afford me comfort, and his judicious and affectionate hints are not lost upon me, far away as I am from him. I was truly rejoiced to hear of the conversion of Solomon (one of her father's servants.) Remember me to him, and tell him I have prayed for him, arid shall continue to do so. May he ever adorn his profession by an upright walk and godly conversation. How do Levina and Chaina get on ? I should so like to see them ! Perhaps I 'nriy, some of these days. I am sure they would like to see old Henrietta now, with her three fine sons, and sweet little girl ; and I do not feel old with all these marks of old age around me. A short time ago, I breakfasted with one of my missionary friends, who began to joke me about my number of children. One of the ladies present said, ' When I first came to China, and saw you, I thought what a silly man Mr. Shuck was to select so young a woman to tnke care of those boys,' little thinking that I was their own mother. I often joke my husbaml about this he really looks old, but I am, to all ap- pearance, as young as ever. The Brandy wine arrived here the other day, and 1 went on board, and found a great many Virginians. One yrving man, Mr. Walthall, now very ill, i> living with us, who is acquainted with cousin Richard Gl tsscock. It was a great pleas- ure to see a person who knew one of my rel- atives." 204 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. During a part of this year, Mrs. Shuck kept a journal, for her sister Susan. On the inner side of the cover she penned the following beautiful extract, which she had clipped from a newspaper. " I AM. Who ever conceived a more beautiful illustration of this sublime text than the follow- ing by Bishop Beveridge ? / am. 'He doth not say, I am their light, their guide, their strength, or tower, but only " I AM." lie sets as it were his hand to a blank, that his people may write under it what they please that is good for them. As if he should say, are they weak ? / am strength. Are they poor ? / am all riches. Are they in trouble ? 1 am com- fort. Are they sick? / am health. Are they dying ? / am life. Have they nothing ? / am all things. / am wisdom and power. / am jus- tice and mercy. I am grace and goodness. / am glory, beauty, holiness, eminency, super-eminency, perfection, all-sufficiency, eternity ! Jebovah, / am. Whatever is amiable in itself, or desirable unto them, that / am. Whatsoever is pure and holy ; whatsoever is great or pleasant ; whatso- ever is good or needful to make men happy, that lam.'" From her journal we shall present a few ex- tracts : March 28. " Here, as well as in America, the devil dwells, and often assaults us. Yes, we have our temptations and our cares ; and no matter wnere we go, though it may be to the end of the earth, we carry with us a heart deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. I long to be more conformed to Christ ; but. alas ! even EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL. 205 my desires are wicked. At a prayer meeting 'a few nights ago, one of the missionaries who have lately come out, remarked, that when he left America he thought he had given up the world, but he found he had not. He had his temptations here also. His sinful heart still led him astray. It is very true missionaries are but men and women, and no better than other Christians. Here we are surrounded by fashionable society. We have invitations to balls and to parties, which of course we do not accept. Indeed, I think we have more to call our attention to worldly things than we had at home. / know I have. We cer- tainly have more trials our servants lie, cheat, and steal, and try us in a thousand ways. Our children are exposed, in some measure, to their influence, and we must constantly keep them with us, or know that they are learning something sin- ful from the servants. March 29. Twelve months ago this day, our house was visited by that messenger, which will assuredly visit every one living being, and which during the past year has frequently carried away its victims from this city. It was a solemn time a husband was deprived of the society of a dear wife, and an infant daughter of a fond mother. Why was / spared ? I feel humbled in view of the mercy of my heavenly Father. My dear Lewis might have been bereaved of his com- panion, and my beloved children motherless. O for a more holy life, a more devoted spirit, a closer walk with God ! I know not what is in the future a year more, and the hand that holds this pen may be pnlsied by death ; the soul that loves to hold converse with earthly friends may be reunited with 18 206 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. the loved ones gone before. Yes, my sister, you and / may have met in holier regions above. We know not the changes which may come over us during this year. The thought of what may be makes me sad. But why should it make me sad? God cannot err, or be unkind. Then let us cheer up, Susan, though our fondest hopes of meeting again in the flesh be blasted. All will be well, whether we live or die. My dear sister, nine or ten years ago, I looked upon the grave with pleasure. I almost longed to die, for then I felt that I should be at rest, and know no sorrow : but I feel differently now the cause is obvious. A wife and a mother ! How strongly do these relations bind us to earth.! I feel that my heart clings too fondly to my children and my husband; but love them as I may, I must give them up ; I must close their eyes in death, or they mine. 'Come, my fond, fluttering heart, Come, struggle to be free ; Tin. ii and the world must part, However hard it be ; My trembling spirit owns it just, But cleaves more closely to the dust.' I would not have you think my hcpes are not strong in Christ. I do feel, that unworthy as I am, I shall, through the merits of my Saviour, find acceptance. Yes, I love to throw myself on him. But I do not feel willing to die ; I desire for many reasons to live. I desire to be a comfort to him who shares my best affections, to train up the lit- tle ones that God has given us for heaven, and to be the means of bringing into the fold of Christ many poor, deluded heathen. I wish to see you EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL. 207 again. O! how soon may all my wishes be blasted ! How vain to wish ! How much better to have no will of our own ! 'The Christian should not have his lot Be other than it is ; For while his Father rules the world, He knows that world is his. He knows that he who pave the best, Will give him all beside; Assured each seeming good be asks, Is evil, if denied. When clouds of sorrow gather round, His bosom owns no frnr ; He knows, whate'er Ins portion be, ' His God will still be there. He knows it is a father's will, And therefore it is good ; Nor should he venture by a wish To change it, if he could.' The sentiments contained in the above lines are most beautiful. I admire, and long to make them my own." We may well linger a few moments on the above pathetic extract. Mrs. Shuck seems to have a mournful presentiment of her own death, and that of her sister Susan. " Yes, my sister, you and I may have met, before the clcse of the year, ' in holier climes above.' " The words "you and /" were underscored by her own hand. These sisters, the eldest children in the family, grew up with the most tender and endearing attachment to each other. Providence early separated them ; but their hearts were indivisible. 208 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. Every letter from one to the other breathed senti- ments of sisterly and Christian affection affection which neither distance nor time could extinguish or weaken. The anticipation of Mrs. S. was soon to be realized. She departed before the end of the year, and quickly enjoyed the happiness of meeting her beloved sister " in holier climes above." We are reminded of the pathetic words of Israel's royal bard, They "were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not" long " divided." Journal. " March 31. I feel excessively tired, having been from 10 o'clock till this hour, (1 o'clock,) engaged in teaching; but I must add a line or so now, as I have a leisure moment before me. I went to chapel last night, and heard Dr. Bridgman on ' Total Abstinence.' I agreed with him in all that he said, though I am obliged, from debility of constitution, occasionally to take beer or wine." I forgot to mention that, on Friday or Saturday, a young gentleman, Lieut, in the army, called to see the school, expressed himself as much grati- fied, and, after he left, sent $15 for its benefit. The friends in China are very charitable, and always give liberally to worthy objects. The father of this young man, Major-General D'Agui- lar, had before sent us $29, without any solicita- tion on our part, which he begged Mr. S. to use according to his own wishes, for the good of the cause. We have handed the money over to our treasurer, Mr. Dean, for the school. April 4. Three days ago, a very gratifying incident occurred. Two Chinese gentlemen EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL. 209 brought their daughters to me, and one of them a niece, also, and placed them under my care ; and yesterday, another came ; so that I have now six girls, making, all together, including my own, thirty-two children. Only think of it, Sue, so many mouths to feed ; and do you imagine I have time to be idle? I need not s;iy thit I feel my duties and responsibilities to be great, but, I trust, a great God will assist me in meeting them faith- fully. These girls came poorly clad, and I have already laid out ten dollars for them, and have persons at work to get them decent for the coming Sabbath, when I shall take them with me to the chapel. Mrs. Devan, of New York, is very kind, and has sent me ninety dollars for my female school, fifty of which I have received, and the remaining forty are on the way. I shall obtain as many as twenty girls, as I think I can take care of that number. I have written for a young lady in England to join me, and if she should come out, I shall have great assistance from her. She is a Baptist, and I am well ac- quainted with her sister, now in China, and con- nected with the London Missionary Society." From an article furnished by Mrs. Shuck, for the Mother's Journal, about this time, we select the following extract, to show the obstacles to the instruction of Chinese girls. " You are, perhaps, aware that ever since our arrival on these shores, we have been making exertions in behalf of female instruction. We have, at different times, succeeded in obtaining as many as five or six interesting girls ; but after they 18* 210 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHTTCK. have been neatly clothed, and are just beginning to improve, their parents have secretly stolen them away, and many we have never seen since. We succeeded in keeping one girl three years, by paying her mother, who was very poor, two dol- lars per month, and finding the girl in her clothes and food. She was a quick girl, and had learned to read, write, and compose in English very well. She was familiar, also, with simple geog- raphy and history. She possessed a great amount of religious knowledge, though her heart was too hard to bend to its holy influence. She was, however, taken from me by her mother, more than a year ago, and is to be married soon to a wicked, illiterate youth, who, I am told, is already a desperate opium-smoker. I have received seve- ral letters from her. In one, she says, ' I cannot now run and hop, as I used to do, for my mother has bound up my feet.' I believe it is not usual to bind the feet at suph an advanced age, but the father of the lad whom she is to marry wished it, and the poor girl was compelled to yield to the torture. She is now fourteen years old. When I last visited Macao, I went to see her. She looked pale and sickly, and said she was in great pain with her feet. Her mother and friends upbraided me for having taught her that it was wrong to worship idols, for, said they, ' We can- not make her bow to our gods ; ' ' neither will she work on the Sabbath,' they continued. I felt encouraged to hope that the seed sown might spring up to the glory and honor of God. It is by faith we are commanded to walk, not by sight." LAST LETTER TO HER StSTER SUSAN. 211 To her Sister Susan the last Letter to her. "SEPT. 15, 1844. My dear Sister I cannot find amongst my unanswered letters one from you, and yet it strikes me, there is one, somewhere, to which I have not yet replied ; at any rate, I suppose you will not object to a line or two from me, though I may not be in your debt. I must, before I proceed, apologize for writing so seldom. Somehow, for the last eight months, I have felt a dislike for writing, and do not even write a note if I can get my business accomplished without it. The rea- son of this aversion I know not. I am perfectly well, and go through a vast amount of labor and fatigue e^ery day. I feel inclined to perform any kind of work, but writing. Now I do not wish you to take this feeling as an apology exactly, for I know I am to blame for indulging it. I love to think of you all, and often do I wish to talk with you, but I do not derive as much satisfaction from writing to you as I could wish. One thing I will mention as somewhat of an excuse. The climate this summer has been most withering in its influence, and perhaps has withered my ener- gies : they may revive again as the cold weather comes. But, my dear sister, don't for one mo- ment think that my affection has become cold : I love you as much as ever, yea, more than ever, and the hours devoted by others to sleep, I often spend in thinking of you, and my other dear relatives far away. We feel greatly encouraged by the number around us who seem to be truly inquiring the way to heaven ; and it affords us happiness not easily described, that we are able to point them t > 212 MEMOIR OP MRS. SHUCK. the bleeding Lamb of God. We are now realiz- ing some of those anticipations which thrilled our bosoms, as we saw sweet and endeared America, with all its interesting scenes, fade from our view. Pray for us, dear Susan ; we more than ever need your prayers. I hope you will excuse me for saying that your dear brother is more devoted than ever to his labors. Indeed, I feel great anxiety for him ; he does not look well, and has enough labor for four men to do. We are daily expecting Dr. and Mrs. Devan, (missionaries sent out by the Board,) who, I doubt not, will prove valuable helpers in our department. Our new school-house is just completed, and is on our premises, quite convenient to us. When it is opened I will write some of you an account of the services. We intend inviting Mr. Brown's boys, Dr. Legge's, and Mr. Ball's, and I shall, after the dedication, give them a dinner. My girl's school prospers. The girls are daily im- proving in their studies, and in habits of neat- ness and industry, in which they were sadly de- ficient when they first came. When the Devans come, I hope the Dr. will mostly undertake the instruction of the boys, and let Mrs. D. and my- self teach the girls. If so, I shall take more girls: at present I cannot; my strength is inadequate." The Mission School-House at Hong Kong, as we learn from a letter of Mr. Shuck's, published in the Bap. Miss. Magazine, was set apart by appropriate religious services on Monday the 2!Jd of Sept. The scholars from other missionary schools were present on the occasion. Mr. Shuck commenced the exercises with a few explanatory LAST LETTER TO HER FATHEB. 213 observations, and then offered prayer ; when Luk- seen-sang, one of the native preachers, made an address on the importance of diligent study. Dr. MacGowan then delivered an address on the duty of Chinese boys loving their country, the world, and their God. Luk-seen-sang then prayed, and, after singing the doxology, Rev. Mr. Ball pronounced the benediction. The tables were then covered with various kinds of fruits, and a blessing asked by Chin-Seen, a native preacher of the London Missionary Society; when all par- took of the viands, and the assembly dispersed, apparently much gratified. - The last Letter to her Father. " OCT. 28, 1844. My dearest Father, Your kind and welcome letters, together with many valuable presents, reached us safely on the 22d inst., by the hand of our dear brother and sister Devan. Accept our best thanks, my dear pa', for your kindness. The articles sent were just what we needed, and had I been by your side when you procured them, I could not have better pleased myself. I had been so much excited by the arrival of our good friends, that I determined to put by your letters, and the trunk, till next day ; but as my nerves calmed a little, I thought I might venture to read one of twenty letters which we received. So I retired to my room, and opened one, which chanced to be from dear ma', in which she said, ' One article in the box will, I presume, please you more than any thing he could have sent' I said to my husband, who was standing by, ' O, it must be his portrait ! let me open the trunk.' 214 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. ' No ! no ! ' said he, ' wait till to-night, when all is quiet.' 'But I must, I must,' (not I will, mind you.) ' Brother Devan has the key,' he contin- ued. Off I went, and soon prevailed on brother Devan to give me the key, and the trunk was opened. First one parcel, then another, was un- wrapped, till at last I found the portrait. And now you will wish to know what I think of it. My first remarks were, ' 'Tis not pa', no, 'tis not. Where is the expression of his countenance? Why, it is some old man.' Mr. Shuck then took it, and exclaimed, ' Why, it is pa' precisely.' So you see we don't always agree. However, bro. Devan placed it so as to let the light fall in a certain way on it, and I saw a resemblance of my father's face, though time indeed has been at work on you, and has increased mightily the care- worn look. Dr. Devan thinks it a good likeness, and I love to look at it. Yes, I love to gaze on the representation of that dear face, which I shall never again, possibly, behold in the flesh. I prize it highly, and consider it as a precious gift. O, if it could speak, how much would I say to it ! I need not say how much we are pleased at having Dr. Devan and his wife as associates in our labors. They are dear friends, and we are comfortably situated for the present in the same house. That which will be occupied by them is not yet ready for them. You will perceive by the date of this, that it is the anniversary of an event which caused your breast to swell with new and peculiar feelings. Yes, my dear pa', I am to-day twenty-seven years old, fist, fast growing old. You would see great changes in me now. I feel quite old, with so LAST LETTER TO HER 1 AMILY. 216 many olive plants around me, I assure you. O that I grew better as I grow older ! And now, my beloved pa', farewell ! May you long, long be spared to your family, and to the cause of God ! Do what you can for China. As ever, I remain your devoted HENRIETTA." Mrs. Shuck's last letter to her family was dated October 30, 1844, and directed to her step-mother, Mrs. Hall. " My dearest Ma' I felt grieved at myself, on reading your letter to me, at my remnsness in writing to you. You mention that my last was dated July, 1843. I will not attempt to extenuate my guilt. I confess my negligence, and beg for pardon. I have not, however, forgotten you. No! your image is bright in my memory, though I fear you do not look so young as you did. You mention many deaths in the neighborhood : how truly good has God been to our dear families! that we might be humbled in view of his mer- cies, and be led to give ourselves entirely to his service! But, alas! how much are we en- grossed with the cares and concerns of this world ! 1 rejoice to be able to say, that recently, more than ever, have I enjoyed the smiles of the Saviour, I have felt so much happiness, so much joy, in committing, all my cares into the hands of Him, who, 1 know, cares for me. How delightful to know that God is our Friend, and that all things shall work together for our good ! I have not been free from care and trouble, for with so large a family as mine, there must necessarily be great 216 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. anxiety ; but, I trust, I have been able, by the special aid of Heaven, to bear up under all. At one time, I had two families (missionaries) living with us, and thirty children ; besides, 1 had to in- struct the children, and superintend all ; and I often felt sad and pressed down with care. Now we have no one living with us but our dear brother and sister Devan. She is a sweet sister. We seem to be agreed on all points, and I pray and believe that we shall be assistants to each other. When I am laid by, which will be, I expect, in a few days, she will be able to aid me very much. We do indeed feel happy in having them associated with us. And now, dear ma', I must say, Farewell ! Write oftener, and I will try to do so too in future. If all be well, you shall hear from me particularly in the course of two or three weeks more. I hope to have good news for you. Pray for us, dear ma'. I try to remember you ard yours daily in nay unworthy prayers. With love to all the family, and a special kiss for my sweet little sister, (Mrs. Hall's youngest child,) Yours ever, devotedly, HENRIETTA." About this time, Mrs. Shuck .sent a box of presents to her friends in Virginia, to the care of Mrs. Keeling. The sheet containing a descrip- tion of these articles, and directions as to the dispo- sition she would have made of them, was finished with the ensuing quotation : "And now, my dear, dear friends, good-by. O. could I have one hour's social chat with HER LAST LETTER. 217 you ! How it would refresh my soul to tell you of my joys and trials, and hear you relate yours 1 But the thought is too painful for me to dwell on. I have parted from you, and in all probability I shall see you no more till we meet around our Father's throne above. There all tears shall be wiped away, separations known no more, and the song of ' Glory to God in the highest,' swell every heart. Then let us take courage, and press joyfully on. Soon, very soon, our race will end, and the prize be gained. ' Be faithful to your Creator,' was the message of my dying mother to me. O, may I bear it in mind, and finally meet her, and you, and rejoice with you in heaven." Mrs. Shuck's last letter was written to the Compiler of this Memoir only a few hours before her death. It was penned with great care and neatness. We give it entire. " VICTORIA, (Hono KONG,) Nov. 26, 1844. My dear Bro. Jeter, Your kind, affectionate, and truly welcome letter, bearing date Dec. 7, 1843, (nearly twelve months ago,) only reached me yesterday, and I will lose no time in replying to it. For this kind expression of interest in our welfare, accept, dear brother, my grateful acknowledgment. I feel relieved, greatly so, for I knew not what cause to attribute your silence to. I feel happy now in the belief that I live in the memory of one who can never cease to live in mine. Forgive mo for saying thru for yon I have ever felt a sincere and affectionate regard. I well remember the first time I saw you, and assisting my now sainted 19 218 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. mother in preparing some wine whey for you, as you were indisposed. You will, perhaps, have forgotten it. The place, time, and circumstances are bright hefore my mind's eye. You took me on your knee, and asked me if I loved the Sa- viour, and talked to me about his blessing little children, and suffering them to come unto him. Again, as I grew older, you reasoned with me, and urged me, not only from the pulpit, but in the private parlor at old Waverley, to repent ; and 'twas you, my dear brother Jeter, who led me into the liquid grave. O, how well do I remem- ber that day, that precious day, and the dear friends (some, yea, many of them now departed) who accompanied me to the water's edge ! Yes, there are many pleasing associations in my life connected with you. You speak of the great changes I should notice, were I to return to America. Yes, verily, the young have become old, and the old have passed iuto the tomb. Ten years glide quickly away, but, as they glide, cause wonderful changes. And so pass our lives : a few more years, and we shall have done with time. O that we may work while we can, and \vorkfaithfully ! You will re- joice to hear that the work of the Lord is pros- pering here. Some have thrown away their idols, becoming convinced that they are false and use- less, and have united themselves to the church. Others are inquiring into this new doctrine of which they hear; and we trust and believe that the time to favor China is at hand. Can you not exert yourself for her welfare? Are there not some willing to come, and spend their lives in teaching the Chinese the unsearchable riches of BEMARES BY THE COMPILER. 219 Christ? We arc very few in number, and very weak, while the work before us is great and pow- erful. I have under my care, living on our premises, thirty children, and, until recently, have had no one to assist me in teaching them, except a Chinese teacher. Dr. Devan and his devoted companion are indeed a great help to us. Mrs. Devan teaches the school, while the Dr. dispenses his medicines to the sick. He has gone with my husband to one of the out-stations to-day. They teach and heal, and, I trust, a blessing will follow their efforts. We have never seen two Christiana whom we could love and admire more. They are already making great progress in the lan- guage, and I do believe they will prove a blessing to China. They are Christians of experimental piety and wisdom, and were I to say all I think, I, perhaps, might seem extravagant; so I forbear. Finally, remember me to dear sister Jeter, and thank her for her kind and acceptable present. 1 shall, if I live, write to her soon. I deeply sym- pathize with her in her great loss. I know what it is to lose a mother. And now I must close. With affectionate regards to all my friends, Believe me, dear brother, As ever yours, in the Saviour, HENRIETTA SHUCK." Rest, dear hand ; thy work is mushed. Thon hast often, at the bidding of a generous heart, and under the guidance of an enlightened intellect, wielded a pen to weariness, to interest and in- struct the young, to convey to friends assurances of affection and sympathy, to impart consolation to the hearts of the afflicted, to plead the cause of 220 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. China's benighted and perishing millions, and to exhibit to sinners the beauty, mercy, ;md faithful- ness of the ascended Saviour. But never more shall thou grasp a pen. For years thou hast been laboriously employed in clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and training the young minds of China for usefulness and heaven. Now all thy toils are ended. The hand that greeted, with so much cordiality, the missionaries newly ar- rived in a pagan land, the stranger from every quarter of the globe, which Providence cast within its reach, and the ignorant and degraded heathen, will very soon, cold and pallid, repose in the grave. Rest, then, dear hand ; thou hast finished thy labors, and received an honorable discharge. (221 ) CHAPTER XII. i. * Brief Sketch of the Rise, Progress, and Condition of (he Chine* BnplUt Mission Baptisms Encouraging Pro*|>er.U Mr* Shuck's Prusrntimeiit of her Dentil Her Preparation fur it Mr. Shuck'* Letter announcing her Dentil Extract-; from Obit- uary Nutir.es lir. LV van's Letter to Mr. Hall Mr. Walthall'i Letter Conclusion of her Funeral Sermon in Richmond Mr. Keeling'8 Tribute to Mrs. Shuck's Character Poetry writ- ten on teeing Mr. Shuck's Sons in New York. BEFORE we proceed to detail the closing scenes in the life of Mrs. Shuck, it may be proper for us hastily to retrospect the rise and progress of the Baptist mission in China, and briefly to contem- plate its condition and prospects at this period, (the autumn of 1844.) In September, 1336, Mr. Shuck and his companion reached China. He was under the necessity of landing his family in the city of Macao by stealth.' Here he was care- fully watched by the Mandarines on the one hand, and the Portuguese officers on the other. Before the work of missions could be commenced, a lan- guage singuhr in its structure, and very difficult of acquisition, must be mastered. This difficulty in a good measure overcome, Mr. Shuck was strictly prohibited by the civil authority from making any public efforts for the diffusion of the gospel. His labors were restricted to personal conversation, and the instruction of such persons as might visit his own house. The numerous 19* 222 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. missions, and exhausted condition of the treasury, of the Baptist General Convention, prevented the Board from prosecuting the China mission with vfgor. For several years, Mr. and Mrs. Shuck, and Mr. Roberts, labored alone in this vast, but strictly guarded and unpromising field. In 1837, the first Chinaman, Ah Loo, was baptized, who, becoming an apostate, gate great pain to the mis- sionaries. Rev. Mr. Dean, and Doctors Mac- Gowan and Devan, as we have seen, subsequently reenforced the mission. The breaking out of the war between Great Britain and China seriously threatened, at one time, its annihilation. Whether the mission could be maintained was long a doubt- ful question, at home and in China. But the devoted pioneers in the evangelization of China, labored on, amid discouragements and difficulties the most disheartening. God, at length, granted his servants light. The war, in many aspects disastrous and revolting, brought some portions of China under British rule, and prepared the way for the toleration of Christianity by the em- peror, throughout the " Celestial Empire." The following extracts from the letters of Mr. Shuck, written about this period, and published in the Baptist Missionary Magazine, will give the reader some conception of the prosperous condition of the mission. Under date of May 14, 1844, Mr. Shuck wrote, " God is manifestly blessing our labors. I trust that Christianity has commenced her onward march in this great land of heathenism. I have previously mentioned to you the circum- stances of the conversion of Luk-Seen Sang. He is an active colporteur, and valuable assistant EXTRACTS FEOM MR. SHUCK'S LETTERS. 223 in the mission. His prayers show that his heart is under the influence of the Spirit of God Three weeks ago he went into the interior for his family, taking a large quantity of books and tracts with him ; all of which he put into circu- lation ; and preached the gospel in regions where it was before unknown. He has just returned, bringing his wife and daughter, and an inquirer, who is a literary man of no ordinary talents. Last Lord's day, I had the happiness of baptiz- ing Che-ho, who, when I first fell in with him, had been a Budhist priest for nine years. He has been thirteen months under close and daily Christian instruction, and six months an applicant for baptism. He gives encouraging evidence of being a child of God. He, when very young, lost his wife, and to find comfort, resorted to idols ; but worshipping them gave him no comfort. On a visit to Hong Kong, the name in Chinese, on the Queen's-Road Chapel, caused him to enter : he heard me preaching in Chinese ; and from that hour he resolved to forsake Budha and wor- ship the true God. He sent for a younger brother, who has also repudiated idols. Now his father and another friend have taken up their residence at Hong Kong, and both declare their belief in the doctrines of the true God, and have turned their backs on idols. Che-ho is a man of excel- lent sense, reads the New Testament, &c., and conducts private correspondence with his friends ; but is not a literary man by any means. He studies every day with my teacher a short time. He is a child of nature, of sincere and affection- ate disposition, and very amiuble. Chek-ko, the native printer, has decided to en- 224 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. ter the church, and he too has lately mentioned two inquirers. He heard the gospel nine years ago from Leang-Afa, and, for the last ten months, has been in an interesting state of mind. Hong- ko is now upon his final trial of two months be- fore a committee of the church, and there is every prospect of his being received in two weeks from this date, as his trial will then be terminated. Asei is also an applicant for baptism, and in some respects an interesting one. J , one of Mrs. Shuck's little Chinese girls, we reilly think is converted. Yong-seen-sang and Hen-seen-sang both profess to believe the gospel, but are timid about being baptized. I feel that a work has now been begun in China which will go on, because it is the work of the Lord. Vast multitudes have heard and remem- ber the gospel, and the hearts of an honored few are receiving it in faith and love. Mr. Dean has a large and interesting congregation, and many more Tiechui people are securing ground and settling here. Our present prospects are so encouraging that we hope to have several more native pre ichers in full employment before the year ends. Eight na- tive preachers and their families could be sup- ported for what one. foreign preacher cnn be, in- cluding all expenses. What a difference ! and yet native preachers cannot be left without the aid and oversight of foreign preachers. June 8. On last Lord's day I had the happi- ness to baptize another Chinese convert of much promise. (Hong-ko, mentioned above.) The baptism took place on Lord's day morning at 7 o'clock, in presence of a large number of wit- EXTRACTS FROM ME. SHUCK'S LETTERS. 225 nesses. I have three more natives on their final trial of two months, and six other applicants, nine in all, under my immediate care. There is evidently a work of God going on in my Chinese congregation. July 8. I can hardly realize the present posi- tion of this mission. You full well know the dark circumstances attending my first coming to China, and my first few years of residence at Macao. But what has God wrought? With feelings which I cannot possibly express, I am enabled to communicate to the Board that there is a religious revival going on at this time in my Chinese congregations ! There is no stir, bustle, nor excitement; but the still movements of the Spirit "of God are evidently upon the hearts of between twenty and thirty different individuals. Besides the three lovely converts whom I have this year been permitted to baptize, I have nine others registered for baptism, and all of them have been for some time under instruction. Be- sides these there are several applicants for bap- tism, and some inquirers who are not considered candidates or applicants. Among the candidates and inquirers are six individuals of fine literary attainments. The prospect now is, that I shall soon be able to have four pious and active native preachers in the field. You will rejoice to hear that my teacher, so long a professor of Christian- ity, has at last come out fully, and is now on his final two months' trial, preparatory to baptism. He is a man of superior intellect, education, and intelligence. Aug. 14. Sabbath before last I had the pleas- ure of baptizing two more interesting native con- 226 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. verts, who hid undergone long and careful Christi M instruction and examination. One of these converts had been a secretary in one of the provincial government offices in Canton, is a well- educated and intelligent man, in the prime of life, apt to learn and apt to teach, speaks eloquently, and is already nn active and valuable accession to the church and the mission. His prayers are so correct and deliberate, and evince such Chris- tian humility, as to afford me great satisfaction concerning him. His name is Kwok-he. He heard the gospel the first time from Luk-seen- sang, my valuable native preacher, while on a visit to Canton. The other is named Sei-ko, a herdsman, of humbler circumstances than Kwok- he, but an interesting young man, who gives us great encouragement by his hearty love and obe- dience to the truth, and has been twenty months under close Christian instruction. Sept. 4. Nearly the whole of last week was taken up in public and private examinations of candidates for baptism. The cause of our Master at Hong Kong really seems to be onw.ird. Al- though adding to my trembling joys, I had the high privilege, on Sunday last, of baptizing seven more interesting converts. Five had been fol- lowers of Confucius, and two had been Budhists. All of th3m, except one, read and write their own language ; four are men of high attainments in the literature of their own country, and all have long been under close Christian instruction, and have passed through repeated and careful exam- inations. I have now baptized twelve Chinese convert-i during the past eight months of 1844 God grant thit there may be no Judas among EXTRACTS FROM MR. SHUCK'S LETTERS. 227 them ! My anxieties concerning them are con- tinual and heavy ; yet, thanks to the grace of God, all give sitisfaction thus far. Eight or ten others afford hnpe and encouragement ; the congrega- tions continue large and attentive; and the col- porteurs are diligent, and are of great assistance and usefulness. You will rejoice with me that one of the above seven w is my teacher, Yong-seen-sang, who for nearly six years has proved himself to be an able teacher and a worthy man. Although of unexceptionable conduct, and of about universal good report of those who are without, and withal a man of prayer, yet I much doubt whether he has been a truly converted man for more than six or eight months. He has passed most satisfacto- ry examinntions. Lei-seen-sang is also a learn- ed man, like Yong-seen-sang, has a mind of a superior order, and is a perfect gentleman in manners, attire, and appearance. Woon-seen- sang is nlso an agreeable man, eloquent, and well educated. Chny-seen-sang, though somewhat less learned than the above, is an interesting man, and powerful in prayer. Ch:ikrko is a worthy disciple, is a head printer and a paper merchant, and owns a share in a large passage boat which runs between this (Hong Kong) and Canton. Pang-sam is an industrious tailor, a quiet and amiable man, and a growing Christian. The last of the seven is Lep-wa, f.ither of the Bud- hist priest who was baptized, a simple-hearted and sincere old man, a gardener, and owner of a small prop?rty in his native village, one day's sail in the interior from Hong Kong. He has manifested tearful anxiety to understand the 228 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. truth ; and we really believe he loves the Sa- viour, although he does not read. At the same time and place as above, Mr. Dean baptized three Tie' Chiu' men." We have detailed mainly the labors and suc- cesses of Mr. Shuck ; but Mr. Roberts and Mr. Dean were equally encouraged in their efforts. Such was the condition of the China Baptist mis- sion in the fall of 1844. God had exercised his servants there with sore trials and discourage- ments ; but they had patiently continued in watch- fulness, prayer, and labors. They had sown in tears, and now they were reaping in joy. A glorious prospect was opening to the mission. The field was now, in part, opened for their la- bors the first fruits were a pledge of the in-com- ing harvest the intelligence and respectability of the converts inspired high hopes of their use- fulness and the prevailing spirit of inquiry among the Chinese was a clear indication that they were likely to be brought under the influence of the gospel. But God designed to subject the faith and patience of his servants, especially of Mr. Shuck, to a fresh and severe trial. Mrs. Shuck was approaching the period of her fifth confinement. Her health for several months past had been unusually good, and her labors more than commonly arduous. She was, occa- sionally at least, impressed with an apprehension that she should not survive her season of trial. A day or two after her death, the following note was found among her papers, hearing evidence of having been written about two months previ- ously. "I am so strongly impressed with the HER PRESENTIMENT OF DEATH. 229 idea that some great and calamitous event is about to befall me, that I cannot but write it down. What it is, God only knows. I feel a presenti- ment that something is going to take place, some- thing dreadful. O Lord, prepare me for all thou art preparing for me ! Help me to take every dispensation of thy providence as for my good." Mrs. Shuck's extreme illness and peril at the birth of her fourth child might very natu- rally fill her with alarm as to the result of her approaching confinement. But this dread, what- ever might have been its source, appears not to have been constant. In her last letter to her mother, written only a few days before her death, she said, as we have already seen, " If all be well, you shall hear from me particularly in the course of two or three weeks. I hope to have good news for you." Her letter to the compiler, the last which she penned, was evidently written in a cheerful spirit. The presentiment of her death, however, evidently made a strong impres- sion on her mind. In obituary notices of her, published in Hong Kong shortly after her death, it is stated, that " in view of these premonitions, she became more fervent in prayer, and more faithful in her work, and for several months she mani- fested a marked spirituality of mind, and a lovely ripeness of piety. She made her arrangements in view of what she believed would end her pilgrimage on earth. She spoke of it to her hus- band and to her friends, but never with gloomy forebodings such was the activity of her Chris- tian hopes. Even every drawer, and all her little boxes, with their various articles, have since been found arranged with singular neatness and order." 20 230 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. The following letter, addressed by Mr. Shuck to his father-in-law, conveyed to her afflicted family and the sympathizing community the first intelligence of Mrs. Shuck's unexpected death. It can hardly fail to touch a sympathetic cord in the bosoms of those who have experienced similar afflictions. "Houo KOHO, Nov. 2D, 1844. Dear, dear Father, I wrote you a hasty note two days ago, just as the mail, via England, was closing, and nerved my bleeding heart to announce to you the sudden death of our thrice precious Henrietta, your first- born daughter, the hallowed wife of my youth, and the mother of my children. My full soul writhes in agony, both night and day ; and although I believe I am not left without the con- solations of the gospel, yet my breast heaves with the billows of sorrow, the floods of tears run down my eyes, tears of burning anguish. Friends sympathize and condole, the children are well and singularly quiet, sister Devan overlooks domestic affairs like an angel of light, brother Devan proves a brother indeed, and God's prom- ises are neither few nor misunderstood ; but after all, I am really so overwhelmed that I fear my overpowering grief is unreasonable. I feel like some lonely forest pine, scathed and shattered by the lightnings of heaven ; my heart seems swollen to double its natural size, and I literally gasp for breath. I mentioned in my last note, that for six months past, and up to within three hours of her departure, our precious one enjoyed unusual INTELLIGENCE OF HER DEATH. 231 health. Her illness came on at 10 o'clock, on the night of the 20th inst. Before calling the Dr., she requested me to join with her in prayer ; and, taking her hand in mine, I knelt by her couch, and, at every sentence of my prayer, she gave my hand a most affectionate pressure. The Dr. came at 12 o'clock at night. At 2 o'clock, a fearful and sudden prostration took place, and every effort, and prayer, and remedy, proving un- availing, at 3 o'clock her pure spirit winged it3 flight to the bosom of her God and Saviour, whom she so ardently loved and laboriously served. For months, she was in the habit of expressing to us all, in a singular manner, her presentiments that she would not survive the close of the pres- ent year; but no gloomy doubts about her soul were ever noticed. Her mind was engaged in prayer to the last ; and, as there was scarcely a pain or a struggle, but purely sinking and pros- tration, she literally fell asleep in Jesus, yea, was almost, like Enoch, translated for having walked with God. He took her, in kindness, to himself, without the usual suffering and distress which attend the final pangs of expiring mortali- ty. She seems to have passed away like a glorious meteor, and her light still shineth. Her countenance, in death, assumed a heavenly smile, and her body was deposited in the tomb by the side of her endeared friends, Mrs. Dean and Mrs. Ball. It was, it is said, the largest funeral which has ever taken place in this colony, so widely was she loved and esteemed by all classes, high and low, foreign and native. The European police corps came and chimed the sad privilege of being permitted themselves, about forty in num- 232 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. ber, to bear her remains to the grave. She is gone to the realms of light, taken away from the toils, anxieties, and ills of life, with her Saviour and her own fond mother. It is the Lord that has done it. God, I know, has done it in kind- ness to her and to us all, and for his own glory, and yet the tremendous stroke almost slays me. She was a most faithful, devoted, affectionate wife and mother, a laborious missionary, and warm-hearted friend of all. Her prayers and anxious labors for her children and the heathen, will not be in vain. I never knew one whose faith was stronger. She was a believer in mi- nute Providence, and her devotions were punctual, and her confidence in God unwavering. O! she was a being of love, and a lovely being. It would be almost madness in me to attempt to offer you and the family consolation, seeing that I my- self am burdened and smitten to the dust. O God, mysterious Jehovah, Jesus, Holy Ghost, comfort us all. Amen and Amen ! In haste, but deepest affliction, your stricken son, J. LEWIS SHUCK. P. S. I find myself continually trying to be- lieve that she is really not gone, but, at every turn, I am reminded, by some circumstance or article, that I shall see her face no more in the flesh. She was in the habit of using, as companion to her Bible, for a long time, a copy of the Gems of Sacred Poetry, which I had presented her. Since her demise, I find in this little book whole poems, verses, sentences, and words, pencil-marked, with her own hand, touching death, heaven, &.C., &,c., and some of them turn out to be in such direct NOTICES OF HER DEATH. 233 coincidence with the circumstances of her end as to be really prophetic. I will send you details on this subject. I will write you again, soon. I have named her darling boy Henrie Fuller, the first containing all the letters of his sainted mother's name, but the last three." From the Obituary Notices, referred to above, we glean the following extracts : " Religious services having been conducted at the house, by the Rev. Dr. Devan, Mrs. Shuck's remains were borne to their final resting-place. The Rev. Mr. Brown made an appropriate address at the grave, and offered prayer. All who knew her, loved her. On the Sabbath following, at 11 A. M., the Rev. Mr. Gillespie of the Lon. Mis. Soc. preached at Hong Kong with special refer- ence to the event, from the text, ' Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord,' &/c., &/c. ; the Rev. Mr. Dean at night at the Queen's-Road Chapel, from the promise, ' Lo. I am with you alway, even unto the end;' and at Macao, the Rev. Mr. Lowrie, of the American Pres. mission, from the text, ' Ye shall know hereafter,' &.c. All the Chinese services of the same Sabbath, in connec- tion with the Baptist mission, were made to bear directly on the subject, and the mysterious Jeho- vah has already caused good spiritual results to ensue." From the " Gems of Poetry," alluded to in the postscript of Mr. Shuck's letter, the ensuing beau- tiful stanzas, pencil-marked by Mrs. Shuck's own hand, and adopted as expressing her own senti- ments and feelings, are furnished in the Notices. 20* 234 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. In one place she appropriated the following Ian guage as her own. "Lord, It belongs not to my care, Whether I die or livo ; To love and serve thee is my core, And this thy grace must give. If life be Ian?, I will be glad, That I may long obey ; If life be skort, I arn not sod ; I long to be away." Again she says, O, what is life .' 'Tis like a flower, That blossoms nnd is gone ; It flourishes its little hour, With all its beauties on ; Death comes, and like a wintry day, It cuts the lovely flower away. O! what is life? Tis like the bow, That glistens in the sky ; We love to see its colors glow ; But while we look, they die; Life fails *j tnule iit death ! " Again she specially marked the following, as if in prediction of what was soon in her own case to be fulfilled. f do remember, and will ne'er forget, The dyinf eye ! That eye alone was bright, And brighter grew, as nearer death approached.; As I have seen the gentle little flower Look fairest in the silver beam which fell Reflected from the thunder-cluud that soon Came down, and o'er the desert scattered far And wide its loveliness. She made a sign To bring her babe 'twas brought, and by her placed: Bhe looked upon its face, that neither smiled Nor wept, nor knew who gazed upon 't ; and laid Her hand upon it* little breast, and sought For it, with look that seemed to penetrate MEMOIR OF MBS. SHUCK. The heavens, unutterable blessings, such At God to dying part-nU only granted, For infant* left behind them in the world. ' God keep my child ! ' we heard her say, and hrard No tnore. The angel of the covenant Was come, and faithful to hi* promise stood Prepared to walk with her through death's dark vale. And now her eyes grew bright, and brighter still, Too bright for oura to look upon, suffused With many tears ; and closed without a cloud, They set as *cu the morning star, which goes Not down behind the darkened west, nor hides Obscured among the tempests of the sky, But melts away into the light of heaven." The death of Mrs. Shuck awakened, both in China and in this country, among her acquaint- ances, a lively sympathy on behalf of her bereaved and deeply-afflicted family. At a meeting of the China mission, convened for the special purpose, Dec. 4, 1844, the follow- ing resolutions, proposed by the Rev. Mr. Dean, and seconded by the Rev. Dr. Devan, passed unanimously : " Resolved 1. That the mysterious dispensa- tion of divine Providence in the removal of our beloved sister Shuck, is viewed by this mission as a most afflictive event, inasmuch as it has bereft her fond husband of an affectionate wife and faithful helper, her five young children of a devoted mother and spiritual guide, and the mis- sion of one of its brightest ornaments, and most valued members ; 2. That while we ascribe wisdom and good- ness to the providence which we cannot compre- hend, it is our privilege to weep with those who weep, and that we do most sincerely sympathize with our bereaved brother, and most tenderly feel for his motherless children, while we pray that DR. DEVAN'S LETTER. 237 this sore chastisement may be sanctified to the spiritual good of himself and family ; and that the sudden removal of another member of this mission is a solemn call upon those who remain to be more humble-minded, more diligent in duty, and more watchful in prayer, that we may be also prepared for the coming of our Lord." Dr. Devan, just one month after Mrs. Shuck's departure, addressed to Rev. Mr. Hall the follow- ing letter of affectionate condolence : "VICTORIA, (HONG KONG,) DEC. 26, 1844. My dear Bro. Hall, It is with melancholy pleasure I recommence a line to you. In accordance with my promise, I had already completed a letter to you, which I kept by my side, until after the confinement of sister S. But the dreadful issue was such, that would not justify sending you a scrawl in such a playful style as that in which I wrote, I com- mitted it to destruction, and here commence anoth- er. We found sister S. and family on our arrival quite well and happy, and they extended to us a most hearty welcome, and we felt ourselves at home. The gratification which the likeness of yourself afforded sister S. was indeed great her only longing in that respect was that she might have the miniatures of the rest of the family. Her happiness now, however, is far greater in con- templating the lineaments of her own dear heav- enly Father, and the general assembly of the first- born, where separation is no more. O that we also may reach that glorious home, and join in the song of redeeming love ! There are many 238 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. real evidences of a kind Providence attendant upon her removal, two of which bear with me while I mention. 1st. She was taken immediately from Christian work to Christian joy. A short three hours were all that elapsed between doing the work of the Lord on earth, and reaping its reward in heaven. 2d. Of all the departures from life that I have witnessed, my memory does not serve me with one that was attended with less physical suffer- ing. But, furthermore, her removal was exactly the kind that the most perfect wisdom would have devised in order that it might be attended with the least interruption to the mission. Had she been long sick, her affectionate husband would have been incapacitated to discharge the numer- ous and weighty responsibilities that rest upon him, and the mission would have greatly suffered. Whereas, in the evening of Friday, the work of the mission was performed, and on the morning of Wednesday, no interruption was perceived in the movement of our operations, though in that interval one of the most important instrumentali- ties the Lord had taken to himself. The bleed- ing hearts she has left the eye of Omniscience only knows ; and yet, my brother, we sorrow not as those who have no hope : it is her gain, and she is happy ; and as for the cause, why should we mourn over the loss that has experienced ? It is the Lord's cause, and he has done the deed. Does he not know what is best for his own cause T Certainly. I remain yours, very truly, T. T. DEVAN." MR. WALTHALL'S LETTER. 239 Mr. Walthall, the young Virginian, belonging to the frigate Brandywine, who was mentioned in the preceding chapter as being sick in the family of Mr. Shuck, on receiving the painful intelligence of Mrs. Shuck's death, sent to her father a most consolatory and gratifying letter, which we take the liberty of inserting in this Memoir. " NORFOLK, ARPIL 5, 1845. Rev. and dear Sir, Although personally a stranger, I should do great injustice to my own feelings, were I to neglect writing to you under the affliction occa- sioned by the death of tny dear friend, your daughter, Mrs. Shuck. It is not, my dear sir, as a mere matter of form, or courtesy, that I ad- dress you, for I well know how unavailing the language of such must be to one who has lost a relation so near, so loved, and so worthy of love. But it is a relief to my own feelings, and it is in some measure complying with a request contained in the last note which I ever received from her, which I will give in her own words 'Should you ever see any of my beloved relations, tell them all you can of me and mine. Tell them we are happy, very happy, though far from them ; happy, because engaged, we believe, as God would have us.' Twelve months ago, I was lying in Mr. Shuck's house, in what appeared to be the last and lowest stage of a long and lingering disease prostrate and helpless, and almost mo- tionless and speechless. Your loved and lamented daughter was then my friend, companion, con- 240 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. fidant, and nurse. Our conversation at those times was chiefly on two subjects, which were to us of mutual interest Virginia, the common mother of both, the home with all the cherished associations of the past, which lay behind us ; and the still higher theme of that heavenly home before us, where we humbly hoped to meet in future. Vividly and distinctly as I can call her to mind, on some occasions standing in tears by what all then supposed to be my death-bed, it ia difficult to realize the changes which in this brief period have occurred to us both. A merciful Providence has, contrary to all expectation and all human probability, restored me to a home, and to friends whom I had never thought to meet on earth ; and who can say how much of this won- derful and almost miraculous deliverance may be ascribed to the prayers of her, for whom we have every reason to believe he has wrought a change that is far more happy and glorious ? Pardon me, dear sir, for having spoken so much of myself. My recollections of Mrs. Shuck are so intimately interwoven with my own personal experience, that it is almost impossible to sepa- rate them. It is in vain to endeavor to express our feelings by words on such an occasion, and I cannot, therefore, better conclude than by giving you an extract from another of her notes, which now lies open before me, and which I have often read of late. ' Farewell, farewell ; I trust, if I see you no more in this world, that we shall meet at the right hand of God, where there will be no more sickness, no more sorrow, and parting sounds be heard no more.' That such may be the happy lot of her, of you, and of me, with all FUNERAL SERMON. 241 who love the Saviour in sincerity and truth, is the prayer, dear sir, of Yours, very respectfully and truly, W. T. WALTIIALL." Soon after the news of Mrs. Shuck's death was received in this country, the event was im- proved in a sermon delivered to a large congrega- tion, on Lord's day afternoon, in the First Bap- tist Church, Richmond, by the compiler of this Memoir, from the text which the Rev. Mr. Gil- lespie used on the same occasion in Hong Kong, Rev. xiv. 13. "Blessed are the dead," &,c. The writer hopes he will be excused for introducing he closing paragraph of the sermon. " In conclusion, dear brethren, let us seek to derive personal profit from the death of our es- teemed sister. She was a member of this church, and never ceased to feel a lively interest in its prosperity. In the Sunday School connected with it, she was a teacher. To many of you she was personally known, and to some most tenderly at- tached. But her connections on earth are all dissolved. Her* membership is transferred from the militant; to the triumphant church. To the sisters, especially the young, I trust her sacrifices, and generous labors, and consistent piety, will af- ford an instructive lesson. You may never be called to be missionaries; but, living in a world filled with sin and smitten with woe, you are sol- emnly called to employ your powers in doing good. Let the world be better and happier for your example, your labors, and your prayers. 21 242 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. If I address any of her Sunday School scholars her schoolmates her companions her ac- quaintances, or any other persons, who are not ' in Christ Jesus,' not vitally united to him, I implore you by the lovely example and fervent prayers of our departed friend, and, higher still, by the tears and blood of Christ, and by the rest and reward of heaven, to begin, without delay, a life of piety. Ah, could her seraphic spirit re- turn, in what strains of surpassing fervor would she urge you to ' seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness' ! I address you in her behalf I beseech you, as you value your souls as you would escape an eternity of helpless, hopeless woe as you would rest from your labors and receive a divine reward, to commit yourselves to God, in well-doing, as unto the hands of a faithful Creator. God grant that unto us all may be ' ministered an entrance abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' Amen." The following tribute to the worth of Mrs. Shuck, from the pen of the Rev. H. Keeling, first appeared in the Christian Index, Ga. It has already been seen in this volume, that between the departed missionary and Mr. and Mrs. Keeling there sprang up the most cordial friendship, which wis ripened by a frequent, free, and affec- tionate correspondence, maintained between them during the whole period of Mrs. Shuck's resi- dence in the Eist. None, beyond the circle of her near relatives, more keenly felt, and more TRIBUTE TO HER CHARACTER. 243 deeply deplored, her early death, than did her well-tried friends, Mr. and Mrs. Keeling. Let Mr. Keeling give utterance to the feelings of their hearts on this sad occasion, and the estimate which they formed of Mrs. Shuck's character and worth. " MRS. HENRIETTA H. SHUCK. Information in letters from Rev. Jehu L. Shuck, our esteemed missionary at Victoria, Hong Kong, China, reach- ed our family a few days ago, in Richmond, Va., that this much-loved, noble, useful lady had closed her sufferings and labors en earth. It has been years since the occurrence of any event so painful to ourselves as this ; but it is combined with pleasing recollections and anticipations. She was a beloved pupil of ours until her marriage, the ceremony of which it was our pleasure to perform ; and our intimacy with her enables us advisedly to say, she was one of those happy few who seemingly would, if they were translated thither with all their imperfections, scarcely inter- rupt the harmony of heaven. Ten short years have rolled away since herself, her devoted hus- band, and brother and sister Davenport, gave the parting hand to their parents, and to the weeping, rejoicing churches in Richmond. It would seem strange that just when we be- come qualified to be eminently useful, it is then, at that very time, that we are called away. Mrs. Shuck could read, write, and speak the Chinese language : her heart was deeply imbued with the spirit of missions, the spirit of philanthropy, and of the gospel ; and she was already wielding an 244 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. almost incalculable influence. But she is called away. Such events are common, not strange; a plain intinrrition that this life is only preparatory, and that God has services of a higher order for his people above. Afflicted husband, children, parents, pupils, mission, church, friends all! Peace, be still! It is the Lord ; let him do whatsoever seemeth him good. Departed saint! thy little ones will find a second mother in Mrs. Doctor Devan. The work begun by thyself here will advance. Thou hast given to the ball an impulse which will never be counteracted, but constantly accele- rated. And for ourselves, personally, one of our greatest consolations is, that we hope soon to enjoy thy society in brighter worlds, amid still nobler services. Although not quite fifty winters have bleached our locks, we seem to have lived a hundred nnd fifty. We have still on earth as many friends as most people, but a great majority of them have gone to the skies. We hope soon to rejoin them ; and we will teach our dear little granddaughter, thy namesake, to follow thy bright example, and come after us. H. K." Mr. Shuck was under the painful necessity of sending his two oldest children to the U. States. They left China early in the yeir 1845, and about the beginning of summer landed at N. Y. A sight of the motherless boys, far from their father, cilled forth from some feeling heart the subjoined beautiful and pathetic effusion, which was first published in the Baptist Advocate, N. Y POETRY ON SEEING HER SONS. 245 New York, June 17, 1845. " ' God blew the lads ! ' deprived of mother's cure, A guard of love for which earth ne'er can find A substitute-. No ! search the earth around, From east to west, north ward or southward go, Tin matchless! Far o'er ocean's rolling wave, In peace Aer body lies, and moulders bark To mother Earth. Her spirit, near the throne, A seraph ! Decked with robe of glorious white, Rest*, ic>. from labor, and her works succeed. Fond sympathy will weep, who checks the tear! As on her loved, sweet boys we gaze, und think Of her who's gone, still more of Aim, alone, On heathen shore. Talk ye of sacrifice ! Who, in your parlors, lolling, roll in wealth, And give (I blush to say it, yet 'tis true) One half of what ye might bestow, nor feel The gift i A sacrifice ! acceptable ! No ! 'Tis no offering ! but a pittance bare. Would you a lesson learn of sacrifice? Go, see, on yonder deck, the father weep ; Deprived of her he loved more than himself. What can be do with children in a land Where every sin and crime stands out to view To poison their young minds eternally ? Ah ! they must part. Though like a sword which cute His heartstrings, does he feel the blow. They must The last farewell ! O, spare ! O, must it be .' To part fur life ! From those who, since their birth. Were dandled on bis knees, fondly caressed, And nursed with tender care ? From his embrace Must they be torn away ? Yes, yes ! farewell ! ' For thee I make the sacrifice, my Lord.' Thy will is mine, though flesh would call it hard. Then, one more kiss ! Farewell ! Farewell ! " A plain granite slab is preparing to mark the spot where repose the remains of Mrs. Shuck. This hallowed spot will be dear to future mis- sionaries, and unborn generations of Christian Chinese will turn to it with a grateful reinem- 21* 246 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. brance of her labors and her character, to read the following inscription : HENRIETTA, FIRST AMERICAN FEMALE MISSIONARY TO CHINA, DAUGHTER OF The Rev. Addison Hall, of Virginia, United States CON8OET OP THE REV. J. LEWIS SHUCK, MISSIONARY TO CHINA ( K M 1IIK American Baptist Board for Foreign Missions. She was born October 28, 1817. Married 8ih September, 1835. Arrived in China September, 1838. In the prime of life, in the midst of her labors, and in the meridian of her usefulness, suddenly, but peacefully, SHE DIED AT HONG KONG, NOVEMBER 27, 1844, AGED 27 YEARS. Hallowed and blessed is the memory of the good. (247) CONCLUSION. Mr*. Shuck's Personal Appearance Her Natural Disposition Her Mental Qualities Quickness of Perception Notes of a Sermon Literary Attainments Her Religious Character, symmetrical. IN person, Mrs. Shuck was below the ordinary stature, in the highest health weighing but little more than one hundred pounds, and frequently much Jess. Her frame was delicate, and her constitution fragile. With dark complexion, dark and piercing eyes, and symmetrical features, she was somewhat handsome. Her temperament was ardent, and her spirits naturally elastic, cheerful, and gay. For nothing, perhaps, was she so much distinguished as the affectionateness of her disposition. She was a lady of large heart. Never have we known a more devoted daughter, a more faithful sister, or a more sympa- thizing friend. She always won the hearts of her associates. Her teachers, classmates, and acquaintances all loved her. She cheerfully paid the price of friendship ; gained friends by show- ing herself friendly. Mrs. Shuck possessed not a brilliant, but good intellect. She was not endowed with genius, but with a well-balartced mind. Among her mental qualities, quickness of apprehension was the most 248 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. remarkable. Her intellectual efforts seem never to have cost her any labor. When her mind was set in motion, her thoughts and words flowed spontaneously, and as long as she had use for them. Her letters were evidently penned with rapidity, and without one moment's premeditation. As illustrative of the quickness of her mental operations, we may mention the following case : On one occasion, her husband complained of weariness, and an incapacity to prepare for a pul- pit service which he was engaged to perform. She playfully proposed to compose a sermon for him. Without a minute's delay, she took a sheet of paper and her pencil, and having selected for the text these words, " / pray thee, have me ex- cused," began the sermon as follows : " Numer- ous as are the excuses which sinners make when urged to embrace the gospel, they may all be reduced to three. Thejirst is, that they have no time to attend to religion ; the second is, that they do not know how to become religious ; and the third is, that they are not able to become so. Want of time want of knowledge or want of power is pleaded by all. Foreseeing that they would make these excuses, God determined that they should have no reason to make them. By giving them the Sabbath, he has allowed them time for religion by giving them his word, and messen- gers to explain it, he has taken away their excuse of ignorance and by offering them the assistance of his Holy Spirit, he has deprived them of the pretence of inability; and thus he has obviated all their excuses, and at the last day every mouth will be stopped, and the whole world stand guilty HER LITERARY ATTAINMENTS. 249 before God." The above is a literal extract from Mrs. Shuck's notes in pencil mark. She con- tinued her remarks through several pages, but in such a style as to show clearly that she did not excel in writing sermons. We know not how much, or whether at all, she was aided by her memory in preparing the v above synopsis of her sermon ; but we are quite sure that we have heard sermons from preachers of reputation, whose notes could not lay so good a claim to originality, simplicity, and adaptation to usefulness, as those of Mrs. Shuck. Mrs. Shuck's literary attainments were highly respectable. It should be remembered that she died at an age at which most writers do not begin to distinguish themselves. In her letters pub- lished in the Memoir, the compiler felt at liberty to correct only such errors as were obviously the result of haste or negligence. They are mostly published just as they came from her swift-mov- ing pen. Mrs. Shuck was eminently a religious woman. All her letters, her journals, and her most famMiar and ordinary notes, breathe a pious spirit. Reli- gion exerted a controlling influence over her life. In all events, whether prosperous or adverse, she saw and acknowledged the hand of Jehovah. Whether she ate or drank, or whatsoever she did, all was done for the glory of God. One who had witnessed, in the beginning of her Christian life, the fervency of her zeal, and the predom- inance always accorded by her to religious duties and interests, would have been ready, even in the absence of censoriousness, to pronounce her en- 250 MEMOIR OF MRS. SHUCK. thusiastic, and to anticipate a great change in her spirit and deportment after the effervescence of youth, and the short-lived ardor of her novitiate, had passed away. But he would have been ut- terly mistaken. The flame of her zeal was fed by oil which an invisible hand furnished. Let the candid reader contemplate her through years of exhausting and uncomplaining toil ; in suffer- ings, various and acute, without murmuring or despondency ; several times in the near prospect of death, not only without terror, but buoyant with hope, and full of joy ; always cheerful, de- vout, and seeking to glorify God, and decide whether her religion was not more than form and ceremony, the romance of youth, and the impulse of a transient excitement. Her religion was one of principle. It subordinated all her powers, time, and influence to the divine will and glory. There was in the religious character of Mrs. Shuck a striking and beautiful symmetry. In her character there was a happy combination of knowledge, feeling, and activity. Her knowledge did not degenerate into fruitless speculation, her feeling into wild enthusiasm, nor her activity into misdirected adventures. She was zealous, but her zeal was tempered with discretion ; she was devout, but her devotion was the offspring of knowledge; she was useful, but her usefulness was coupled with humility. Whether we con- template her as a lady, gracing the social circle as a mother, sedulously training her children for heaven as a Christian, meekly and faithfully copying the bright example of her Saviour or as a missionary, laboriously fulfilling the duties of HER RELIGIOUS CHARACTER. 2-">l her important station, we cannot but approve and admire her character. But her career was brief and bright, her end peaceful, and her reward, we doubt not, glorious. The Lord took her, before the noontide of her influence and usefulness, and we humbly submit. " Shall not the Judare of all the earth do right?" CATALOGUE OF VALUABLE WORKS PUBLISHED BT GOULD, KENDALL AND LINCOLN, RO. 6, WASHINGTON STRUT. BOSTON. THE attention of the public 1 invited to an examination of the merits of the works described In this Catalogue, embracing valuable contribution! to General Literature. Science, and Theology. IU-i'le their own publications, they hare a general assortment of book* h the various departments of literature, and can supply every thing In their lino of business on the lowest terms, wholesale and retail. PRINCIPLES OF ZOOLOGY; Touching the Structure, Devel- opment, Distribution, and Natural Arrangement of the RACES OF ANIMALS, living and extinct, with numerous illustration*. For the use of Schools and Colleges. Part I., COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY. By Louis AGASSIZ and AUGUSTUS A. GOULD. " The design of this work li to furnish an epitome of the leading principles of the science of Zoology, as deduced from the present state of knowledge, so illustrate,! as to be Intelligible to the beginning student. No similar treatise now exists in this country, and indeed, some of the topics have not beeo touched upon in the language, unless in a strictly technical form, and in scattered articles." r . " Being designed for American students, the Illustrations hare been drawn, as far as possible, from American objects. * Popular names have been employed as far as possible, and to the scientific names an English termination has generally been given. The first part is devoted to Comparative Physiology, as the basis of Classification ; the second, to Systematic Zoology, in which the principles of Classification will be applied, and the principal groups of animals briefly characterized." Extract! from the Preface. MODERN FRENCH LITERATURE; By L. RAYMOND D VERICOUR, formerly lecturer in the Royal Athenaeum of Paris, member of the Institute of France, &c. American edition, brought down to the present day, and revised with notes by WILLIAM S. CHASE. With a fine portrait of LAMARTINE. .This Treatise has received the highest praise as a compAensive and thorough survey of the various departments of Modern French J.iterature.- It contains biographical and critical notes of all the prominent names in Phi- losophy. Criticism, History. Romance, Poetry, and the Dramas and presents a fall and impartial consideration of the Political Tendencies of France, as they may be traced in the writings of authors cqunlly conspicuous as Scholars and as Statesmen. Mr. Chase, wlio has been the Parisian correspondent of seven* lending periodicals of this country. Is well qualified, from a prolonged resi- dence !n France, his familiarity with its Literature, and by a personal ac- quaintance with many of these authors, to introduce the work of De Vericont to the American public. "This is the only complete treatise of trie kind on this subject, ei'h'r it French or English, and has received the highest commendation. Mr. Chase is well qualified to introduce the worV to th public. The book cannot fall to oc both useful and popular." tteie York Evening Pott. VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. KLEMENTS OF MORAL SCIENCE. By FHAXCIS WATLAHD. D.D. President of Brown University, and Profess >r of Moral Philosophy. Thirty-sixth Thousand. ISmo., cloth. Price fl.25. Prom Rrr. Wilbur fi. arisen gradually from th* necessity of eorrectinj: the false prinriplet and fallacloui reasonings of Paley. It it a radical mistake, in Uie education of youth, to permit any book to to used by student* a* a text-book, which contain* erroneous doctrines, especially when these are fundamental, and tend to vitiate tlie * hole system of moral*. We have been greatly pleated with the method which I*re*ideut Wat land ha* adopted ; be goes back to the simplest and most fundamental principles ; and. In the statement of his Tiews, he unites perspicuity with conciseness and precision. In all the author's leading fundamental principle* we entirely concur." Biblical Sepotitory. MORAL SCIENCE ABRIDGED, by the Author, and adapted to the use of Schools and Academies. Twenty-fifth Thousand. 18mo., half cloth. Trice 25 cents. The more effectually la meet the desire expressed for a ftep edition, Ibe praent edition u lamed at (be reduced prict of 'IS emu ptr copy, and it is hoped ihenbjr to extend the benefit of moral inunction to all the youth of our land. Teachers aad all ethers engaged in toe training of youth, ue inriied to examine thu work. Dr. Wayland ha* published an abridgment of his work, for the use of schools. Of this step we can hardly speak too highly. It is more than time that the study of moral philosophy should be introduced into all onr Institu- tions of education. We are happy to e the way so auspiciously opened for nich an introduction. It has been not merely abridged, but alo rt-writtf*. We cannot but regard the labor a* well bestowed." forth American Jterietc. We speak that we do know, when we express onr high estimate of Dr. WayUnd's ability in teaching Moral Philosophy, whether orally or by the hook. Having listened to his instructions, in this interesting department, we Can attest how lofty are the principle*, how exact and severe the argument*. flon, how appropriate and strong the illustrations which characterize his system and enforce it on the mind." Tht Christia* Witata, " The work of which this rolnme If an abridgment, is well k-now u one of ihe best and most complete works on Moral J'hiUwnphy extant The author ie well known as one of the most profound scholars of the tgf. That the study ef Moral Science, a science which teaches goo'lnett, should be a branch of education, not only In our colleges, hut in our schools and academies, we believe will not be denied. The abridgment of this work seems to u* admi- tmbly calculated for the purpose, and we hope it will be extensively applied 10 the purposes for which It is Intended." - TVr Jfercoirifc Journal. VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. THE ELEMENTS OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. By FRANCIS WAYLA.ND, D.I)., Presidnt of Brown University. " Fifteenth Thousand. 12mo., cloth. Price $1.25. " !fi. object h.i< been to write a book, which any one who chooses may nderstnml. He lias, thi-refore, labored to exprew the general principles in the plainest manner possible, and to illustrate them by cues with which every person is fnmiliar. It has been to the author a sourer of regret, that the course of diMMiin in the following pages, has, unavoidably, Ted him over pound which hu frequently been the arena of political controversy. In all inch ease*, he hu endeavored to state what seemed to him to be truth, without fe.ir, favor, or affection. He i consciou* to himself of no bias towards any party whatever, and he thinks that he who will read the whole work, will be convinced that he has been Influenced by none." Rxtract from Preface, POLITICAL ECONOMY, ABRIDGED, by the Author, and adapted to the use of Schools and Academies. Seventh Thousand. ISrno., half morocco. Price 50 cents. " The original work of the author, on Political Economy, has already been noticed on our piigrs ; and the present abridgment stand* In no need of a recommendation from us. We may be permit!.'.!, lu.wcvcr, to y, that both the rising und risen generations are deeplv indebted to Dr. Wy Intnl. for the skill and power he hu put forth tn bring a highly important subject distinctly before them, within such narrow limits. It is to be hoped, this will form a clus*-book, and be faithfully studied in our academies; and thnt it will And it* wy into every family library. It Is fitted to enlarge the mind, to purify tlie judgment, to correct erroneous popular impressions, and assist erery man fu forming opinions of public measures, which will abide the test of time and experience." Borto* Recorder. " We rejoice to see inch treatises spreading among the people : and we urge, all who would be intelligent freemen, to read them. Xeu> York Transcript. " It is well adapted to high schools, and embraces the soundest system of republican political economy of any treatise extant." Daily Advocate, THOUGHTS on the present Colleginte System in the United States. I'y KitAxns WAYL.AND, D.D. Price 50 cents. "These Thoughts come from a source entitled to a very respectful atten- tion i and the author goes over the whole ground of coUegiate education, criti- cising freely all the arrangement* In every department and in all theii bearings." PALEY'S NATURAL THEOLOGY. Illustrated by forty plates and Selections from the notes of Dr. Paxton, with additional Notes, original and selected, for this edition ; with a vocabu- lary of Scientific Terms. Edited by JOHN WARE, M.D. 12mo., sheep. Price 31.25. " The work before us is one which deserres rather to be studied than merely read. Indeed, without diligent attention and study, neither the excel- lences of it ean be fully discovered, nor Its advantages realized. It is, there- fore, gratifying to find" it introduced, as a text-book, into the colleges and literary Institutions of o-ir country. The edition before us Is superior to any we hare seen, and. we believe, superior to any that has yet been published." Spirit nfthr filgrina. " Perhaps no one of our author's works gives greater satisfaction to all claawf of IT. ; the ignorant and the enlightened. Indeed, we ; thi arguiiieim Tor the existence and attributes of the < MI-- me Being to be drawn from hu works, are exhibited in a manner more attractive and inure convincing." C'Arurioa) ftrawuvr. VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. BLARE'S ! >!v IN A8TRONONY. Deinipd for the Use of I .ols. ByJ. L. HI.AKK, I). I). Illustrated by Steel Plate Engravings. 8vo., cloth back. Price 60 cenU. From E. UincHty, Prof, of MaOumatict in Maryland 1'nivertity. " I mm much indebted to you for copy of the Fint Book in Astronomy. It If a work of utility and merit, far superior to any other which I have wen. The author has icler'tod hi topics with prcat judgment, arranged them in admirable order, - exhibited them in a style and manner at once taiteful and philosophical. Nothing seems wanting. nothing redundant It is truly a Terr beautiful and attractive hok. rulrulatrd to afford both pleasure and profit to all who may enjoy the advantage of penning it." from B. Field, Principal of the Hancock School, Boiton. "I know of no other work on Astronomy so well calculated to Intcret* and Instruct young learner* in this sublime science." From Isaac .Foster, hatructor of Youth, Portland. "I hare examined Blake's First Book in Astronomy, and am mnch pleated with It A very happy selection of tonics Is presented in a manner which cannot fail to Interest the learner, while the auertions will assist him materi- ally In fixing in the memory what ought to be retained. It leaves the moat intricate parts of the subject for lhoe who are able to master them, and bring* before the young pupil only what can be made intelligible and interesting to him." "We are free to say, that It Is, In our opinion, decidedly the best work we have any knowledge of, on the sublime and interesting subject of Astron- omy. The engravings are executed in a superior style, and the mechanical appearance of the book is extremely prepossessing. Evening Gazette, Jtotton. "We do not hesitate to recommend It to the notice of the superintending committees, teachers, and pupils of our public schools. The definitions in tht first part of the volume are given in brief and clear language, adapted to the understanding of beginners." Slate HtroM, -V. II. BLAKE'S NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. Bein? Conversations on Philosophy, with the addition of Explanatory N"te<, Questions for Examination, and a Dictionary of Philosophical Terms. With twenty-eight steel Engravings. By J. L. BLAKE, D.D. 12mo., sheep. Price 67 cents. % Perhaps no work has contributed to much as this to excite a fbndnass) for the study of Natural Philosophy in youthful minds. The familiar comparisons, with which it abounds, awaken interest, and rivet the attention of the pupil. From Rn. J. Adam*, President of Charleston College, S. C. "I have been highly gratified with the perntal of your edition of COB- renations on Natural Philosophy. The Question*, Notes, and Explanarioni of Terms, are valuable additions to the work, and make this edition superior ' to any other with which I am acquainted. I shall recommend it wherever I have an opportunity." " We avail ourselves of the opportunity furnished u by the publication of new edition of this deservedly popular work, to recommend it, not only to those instructors who may not" already have adopted it, but alio generally to all readers who are desirous of obtaining information on the subjects on which it treats. By Questions arranged at the bottom of the page*. In which th collateral facts are arranged, he directs the attention of the learner to the prin- cipal topics. Mr. Blake ha* also added many Notes, which iiluntrate th passages to which they are appended, and the Dictionary of Philosophical Tenni is a useful addition." V. 3. Literan Ontrttr. VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. YOUNG LADIES' CLASS BOOK. A Selection of Lessons for Reading in Prose and Verse. By E. BAILEY. A.M., late Principal of the Young Ladies' High School, Boston. Stereo- typed Edition. 12mo., sheep. Price 83>i cents. From the Principal* of the Public School* far Female*, Roitm, GEXTI.EMEX: We have examined the Young Ladle*' Clan Book with interett and pleasure ; with interest, became we have felt the want of a Read- ing Book exprewly designed fur the use of female*; and with pleunre, be- cause we hare found U well adapted to supply the deficiency. The high-toned morality, the freedom from sectarianism, the ta*te, richness, and adaptation of the selections, added to the neatness of it* external appearance, must com- mend it to all ; while the practical teacher will not fail to observe that diversity of style, together with thus* peculiar potato, the want of which, few, who have not felt, know how to supply. Itespectfully yours, BABKVM FIELD, ABRAHAM ANDREWS, B. O. PAKKKB, CHARLES Fox." From the Principal of the Mount Vernon School, Botton. " I hare examined with much interest the Young Ladies' Class Book, by Mr. Bailey, and have been very highly pleased with it* content*. It 1* my intention to Introduce it into my own school ; a* I regard it a* not only remark- ably well fitted to answer its particular object a* a book of exercises in the art of elocution, but a* calculated to have an Influence upon the character and conduct, which will be in every respect favorable." JACOB ABBOTT. " We were never so (track with the importance of having reading books for female schools, adapted particularly to that express purpose, as while looking over the pages of this selection. The eminent success of the com- piler in teaching this branch, to which we can personally bear testimony, i* sufficient evidence of the character of the work." Annul* of Education. ROMAN ANTIttUITIES AND ANCIENT MYTHOLOGY. By C. K. DIU.AWAY, A.M., late Principal in the Boston Latin School. With Engravings. Eighth Ed., unproved. 12nio., Half mor. Price 67 cts. Prom E. Bailey, Principal of the Young Ladief High School, Botton. " Having ued Dillaway't Roman Antiquitiei and Ancient Mythology In my school for several yean, I commend It to teacher* with great confidence, u a valuable text-book on those interesting branches of education. E. BAILET." 14 The want of a cheap volume, embracing a succinct account of ancient enitoms, together with a view of classical mythology, ha* long been felt. Mr. DilUway's book seem* to have been prepared with special reference to the want* of those who are Just entering upon a classical career; and we deem it bat a simple act of justice to say, that it (applies the want, which, M we have before said, ha* long been felt A peculiar merit of this compila- tion, and one which will gain it admission into our highly respectable female eminariet. Is the total absence of all allusion, even the most remote, to the) disgusting n'i'c-nitie* of ancient mythology ; while, at the same time, nothing to omitted which a pure mind would feel interested to know. We recom- mend the hook a* a valuable addition to the treatises in our schools and academies." Education Reporter, Bottom. " It wa* reserved for one of our Boston Instructor* to apply the condensing apparatus to this ma*s of crudities, and so to modernize the antiirniiirt of the old Romans, a* to make a befitting abridgment for schools of the first order. Mr. Dillaway ha* presented such a compilation a* must be Interesting to lad*, and become popular a* a text-book. Historical fact* are stated with great sim- plicity and clearne** i the most important [joints are seized upon, while trifling peculiarities are passed unnoticed. "An. Traveller. VALUABLE SCHOOL BOOKS. COMPARATIVE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. The Earth and Man. Lecture < on Comparative Physical Geography, in its relation to the History of Mankind. By Arnold Guyot. Translated from the French by Prof. C. C. FELTOX. With Illustrations. Second Thousand, 12mo. Price, Jl 2-5. " Geography U here presented under a now rtml attractive phase. It no longer a dry description of the feature! of the earth'* surface. The influence of soil, scrm-ry, and climate upon diameter, litu not yet received the consideration due to it from historians and philosopher!. In the volume before in, tin- profound investigations of Iliiinboldt, Kilter, anil other*, in Physical Geojraphy, are presented in a jn.pul.ir form, and with the rlB-irnc8 unit vivacity u rhnrncl'-iiKtii: of French lreaiie* on eicnce. Tho work should be introduced into our higher school*." The luileptniitnt, JV. 7. ' Thee lectures form one of the mo?t valuable contri'iutions to peo- graphic il icicnce that hru> ever been published in tlii-" country. 'I'hey invest the study of geography with an interest \\liich will, we doubt not, surprise and delight m my. They will ojien an entire new woild to most readers, and will lie found an invaluable uid to the teacher and student of geography." Evening- Traveller. THE CICERONIAN ; Or the Prussian Method of Teaching the Latin Language. Adapted to the use of American Schools, by B. SKAKS. 18mo., half mor. Price 50 cents. From tJte Pro/tuort qf Harvard University. We beg leave to observe, that we consider this book a very valuable addi- tion to our stock of elementary works. Its (Treat merit Is, that It renders the elementary instruction in LsMa less mechanical, by constantly calling the reasoning power of the pupil into action, and gives, from the beginning, deeper insight into the very nature, principles, and laws not only of the LsUin language, but of language in general If the book required any other recommendation beside* that of being the work of so thorough and experi- enced a scholar as Dr. Sears, it would DC this, that the system illustrated in it is not a mere theory, but has been practically tested by many able instructors in Germany. We wish that the same trial may be made here- Very respectfully yours, CHABI.KS BECK, C. C. FLTO." From S. H. Taylor, Principal of PhiJIipt' Academi, Andorer. " I have examined, with much pleasure and profit, the ' Ciceronian,' pre- pared by Dr. Sears. It is admirably adapted to make thorough teachers and thorough pupils. It requires of the teacher a precise and intimate acquaint- ance with the minutisj of Die Latin tongue, and necessarily induces in the pil habits of close thought and nice discrimination. The plan of the work " excellent S. II. TAYLOK." p Is MEMORIA TECHNICA ; Or, the Art of Abbreviating those Studies which pive the greatest Labor to the Memory; Includ- ing Numbers', Historical Dates, Geography, Astronomv, Grayi- ties, &c. By L. D. JOHNSON. Third Edition, revised and improved. Octavo, cloth back. Price 50 cents. "ThU system of Mnemotechny, differing considerably from the one intrc- daced by Prof. Uouraad. is designed to furnish all the rules for aiding th* memory without lessening mental culture, which can be made available dar- ing a connw of elementary study. The Illustrations mv be easily compre- hended hy any person of ordinary mental rapacity i and the application of the principles upon which the system is based, rnunt necessarily furnish an agreeable and useful exercise to the mind." -Veic Tort Teachert' Advocate. PHILOSOPHY AND PHILOLOGY. ANCIENT LITERATURE AND ART ; Or, Essays on Clas- sical Studies, with the Biography and Correspondence of Eminent Philologists. By BAUXAS SEARS, of Newton, B. B. EDWARDS, of Andover; and C. C. FBLTON, of Cam- bridge. 12mo. Cloth. Price, SI 25. * The object of the accomplished gentlemen who have engaged in its prepa- ration has been, to foster and extend among educated nun. in thin country, the already growing interest In classical studies. The di-ipn is a noble and veneroui one, and hai been executed with a taste and good tense that do honor both to the writen and the publisher*. The book is one which deserves a place In the library of every educated man. To thow now engaged in classical study It cannot fall to be highly useful, while to the more advanced scholar, it will open new sources of interest and delight In the un for gotten pursuit* of hi* earlier days." Providence JcmrnaL GESENirS'S HEBREW GRAMMAR. Translated from the Eleventh German Edition. By T. J. CONANT, Prof, of He- brew and of Biblical Criticism and Interpretation in the Tbeol. Institution at Hamilton, X. V. With a Course of Exercises in Hebrew Grammar, and a Hebrew Chrestomathy, prepared by the Translator. 8vo. cloth. Price $2.00. ** Special reference has been had In the arrangement, illustrations, the addition of the Course of Exercises, the Chrestomathy, *c-, to adapt it to the wants of those who ma/ wish to pursue the study of Hebrew without the kid of a teacher. LIFE OF GODFREY WILLIAM VON LIEBNITZ. On the basis of the German Work of Dr. G. . Guhrauer. By JOHN M. MACKIE. 16mo. cloth. Price 75 cents. " The peculiar relation which IJebnitz sustained daring his life to Locke and Newton may partly account for the fact that a biographyof this great has been so long wanting in the English language. . . . we commend book, not onlr to scholars and men of science, out to all onr readers who to contemplate the life and labors of a great and good man. It merit special notice of all who are interested in the business of eduratirjn, and deserves place by the side of Brcwster's Life of Newton, in all the libraries' of our schools, academies, and literary institutions." Christian \\'nd practise, Is worthy of currM studj of all Ihevonns; menM>n "(> church-s. We hope k ma; be widely circulated, ml thut the yo.uhf.,1 iMxisaixls of our Israel may brcome fxmilk>r with its pa; ." H alc/inun and Rtjttclor. THE CHURCH IN EARNEST; By JOHJC ASGELL JAMKS. 18mo. cloth ; price 50 cents. A Tery seasonable publication. The church universal needs a re-awakening to Its high rotation, and this la a book to effect, so far as human intellect can, the mneh desired resuscitation." .V. Y. Oom. Ad, bat a practical writer. He aims to raise the standard of piety, holmes* in the heart, and holiness of life. The influence which thU work will exert on tht church must be highly salutary." Boston Kecorder. TIIK CHVRCH MEMBER'S GUIDE. By Rev. J. A. JAMBS. Ktlitcl bv Rev. J. 0. CHOULES. New Edition ; with an Intro- ductory Essay, by Rev. H. WIMSLOW. Ibmo. cloth. Price 36 cents. A pastor write* "I iineerely wish that erery professor of religion In tti land may possesa this excellent manual. I am anxious that every member of my chnn-h should possess it, aud shall be happy to promote its circulation itill more extensively." "The spontaneous effusion of our heart, on laying the book down, wa*,-- may every church-member In onr land soon possess this book, and be blesse< with all the happiness which conformity to Its evangelic sentiments and dsMCtions is calculated to confer." - Vkrittia* Secrttan/. THE WORKS OF JENKYN CHURCH -KEMPIS. THE EXTENT OF THE ATONEMENT, in its relation to God and the Universe. By THOMAS W. JESK.YN, D.D. 12mo. cloth. Price 85 cents. "We have examined this work with profound Interest and become deeply Impressed with its value. Its style is lucid, its analysis perfect, lu spirit and tendencies eminently evangelical. We have nowhere else seen the atone- ment su clearly denned, or vindicated on grounds so appreciable." MM York Recorder. "As a treatise on the grand relation of the Atonement, it is a book which may be emphatically snid to conUin the seeds of things,' the elements of mightier and nobler contributions of thought respecting the sacrifice of Christ, than any modern production. It is characterized by highly original and dens* trains of thought, which make the reader feel that he is holding com- munion with a mind that can ' mingle with the universe..' We consider this volume as setting the long and fiercely agitated question, as to the extent of the Atonement, completely at rest. Posterity will thank the author till the latest ages, for his illustrious arguments." Ann fort Kraaoelut. THE UNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH. in the Conversion of the World. By THOMAS \V. JKNK.YS, D.D. 12mo., cloth. Price 85 cents. " The discussion Is eminently scriptural, placing its grand theme, the union of the H.ily Spirit and the Church in the conversion of the world, in a verf Clear and affecting light." Christian Watchman. " A very excellent work upon a very Important subject The author seem? to have stiiditd it in all its benrings, as presented to his contemplation in th* acred volume." Lonilon Ei-a-vjelical Magazine. " Fine talent, sound learning, and scriptural piety pervade every page. It is Impossible that it can be read without producing great effects. Mr. Jenkyn deserves the thanks of the whole body of Christians for a book which will greatly benefit the world and the church." London Evaxijelitt. ANTIOfH ; Or, Increase of Moral Power in the Church of Christ. By Rev. P. CHURCH. With an Introductory Essay, by BARON STOW, D.D. 18mo., cloth. Price 60 cents. "ltd a book of close and consecutive thought, and treats of subjects which re of the deepest Interest, at the present time, to the churches of this country. The author is favorably known to the religious public, as an original thinker, and forcible writer." Christian Reflector. " By some this book will be condemned, by many It will be read with pleasure, because it analyses and renders tangible, principles that have been Tajrndy conceived in many minds, reluctantly promulgated, and hesitatingly believed. We advise our brethren to read the book, and judge for them- alvea." Kaplitt Record. It Is the work of an original thinker, on a subject of great practical Interest to the church. It is replete with suggestions, which, in our view, an emi- nently worthy of consideration." Fhila. Chriitian Observer. THE IMITATION OF CHRIST. By THOMAS A KEMPIS. With an Introductory Essay, by T. CHALMEJIS, D.D. A new and improved edition. Edited by H. MALCOM, D.D. 18mo., cloth. Price 38 cents. THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST. By ERNBST SARTORIUS, D. D. Translated from the German, by ROT. O. S. STEARNS, A. M. Cloth. 42 cents. " A work of much Ability, anil presenting the argument in a ityle that will be new to moat American readers, it will deservedly attract atten- tion." A". Y. Otatrvar. MEMOIRS OF DISTINGUISHED MISSIONARIES. MEMOIR OF ANN H. JUDSON. late Missionary to Burmah. By Rev. JAMKS D. KXUWI.ES. With a likeness. 12mo., fin Edition, price 86 cents. 18ino. Price 58 cents. " We are particularly gratified to perceive a new edition of the Memoirs of Mrs. Judson. She was an honor to our country one of the most noble- spirited of her sex. It cannot, therefore, be surprising, that so many editions, and so many thousand copies of her life and adventures have been sold. The name the long career of suffering the self-sacrificing Bpirit of the retired country-girl, have spread over the wlmle w..rld ; and the heroism of her apostleship and almost martyrdom, stands out a living and heavenly beaeon-flre. amid the dark midnight of ages, and human history and exploits. She was the first woman who resolved to become a missionary to heathen countries." American Traveller. " This is one of the most Interesting pieces of female biography which ha* ever come under our notice. No quotation, which our limits allow, would do Justice to the facts, and we must, therefore, refer our readers to the volume Itself. It ought to be immediately added to every family library." London Mitcellant. MEMOIR OF GEORGE DANA BOARDMAN, Late Missionary to Burmah, containing much intelligence relative to the Bur- man mission. By Rev. ALONZO KING. EmbellNhud with a Likeness; a beautiful Vignette, representing the baptismal scene just before his death ; and a drawing of his tomb. By Rev. H. MALCOM, D.D. 12ino. Price 75 cents. " One of the brightest luminaries of Burmah is extinguished dear brother Boanlmun is gone to his eternal rest He fell gloriously at the head of his troops in the arms of victory, thirty-eight wild Karens having been brought into the camp of king Jesus since the beginning of the year, beside* the thirty-two that were brought in during the two preceding years. Dis- abled by wounds, he was obliged, through the whole of the la.it expedition, to be earned on a litter ; but his presence was a host, and the Holy Spirit accom- panied his dying whispers with almighty influence." Jtiv. JJr. Judtom. MEMOIR OF MRS. HENRIETTA SHUCK, The first American Female Missionary to China. By Rev. J. B. JETEK. With a Likeness. Fourth thousand. 16mo. Price 50 cents. "The style of the author Is sedate and perspicuous, such as we might expect from his known piety and learning, his attachment to missions, and the amiable lady hose memory he embalms. The book will be extensively read and eminently useful, and thus the ends sought by the author will be happily secured. We think we are not mistaken in this opinion. Those who are interested in China, that large opening field for the glorious con- quests of divine truth, will be interested In this Memoir. To the friends of missions generally, the book is commended, u worthy of an attentive peru- sal." The Fa mill/ Vuitor, Button. MEMOIR OF REV. WILLIAM G. CROCKER, Lato Missionary in West Africa, among the Rassas, Including a History of the Mission. By R. B. MEDBEKY. With a likeness. 18mo. Price 62M cents. " Our acquaintance with the excellent brother, who Is the subject of this Memoir, will be long and fondly cherished. This volume, prepared by a lady, of true taste and talent, and of a kindred spirit, while it is but a just tribute to his worth, will, we doubt not, furnish lessons of humble and practical piety, and will give such facts relative to the mission to which he devoted his life, as to render it worth/ a distinguished place among the religious and missionary biography which has so much enriched the family of ' WORKS ON MISSIONS. THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE ; A Collection of Discourses on Christian Missions, by American Authors. Edited by BARON STOW, D.D. 12mo., cloth. Price 85 cents. I " If we desired to put into the hand) of foreigner a fair exhibition of the capacity and spirit of the American church, we would give him thl volume. You have here thrown together a few discourses, preached from time to time, by different individual*, of different denomination*, as circumstance! have demanded them ; ti.d yon see the stature and feel the pulse of the American Church in these discourses with a certainty not to be mistaken. " You see the high talent of the American church. We venture the asser- tion, that no nation In the world has such an amount of forceful, available talent in Its pulpit. The energy, directness, scope, and intellectual spirit of the American church if wonderful. In this book, the discourses Dy Dr. Beechcr, 1'res. Wa viand, and the Rev. Dr. Stone of the Episcopal church, are among the very highett exhibitions of logical correctness, and burning, popu- lar fervor. This volume will have a wide circulation." The Jfew Enguauler. " This work contains fifteen sermons on Missions, by Rev. Drs. Wayland, Griffin, Andenon, Williams, Beecher, Miller, Fuller, Beman, Stone, Mason, and by Kev. Messrs. Kirk, Stow, and Ide. It is a rich treasure, which ought to be in the possession of every American Christian." Oarolina Kaptitt. THE GREAT COMMISSION ; Or, the Christian Church consti- tuted and charged to convey the Gospel to the world. A Prize Essav. By John HARRIS, D.D. With an Introductory Essay, by \V. R. WILLIAMS, D.D. Sixth thousand. 12mo., cloth. Price $1.00. " His plan Is original and comprehensive. In filling It np the author has Interwoven facts with rich and glowing illustrations, and with trains of thought that are sometimes almost resistless In their appeals to the conscience. The work is not more distinguished for its arguments and its genius, than for the spirit of deep and fervent piety that pervades it." The Dav>i-,v ami S. !". SMITH. i by U. C. \Viiii:,':n, Oeo. B. Me, 1!. \V. Uriswdd, S. P. Hill, J.'B. Taylor, J. L. Dnee, W. T. Bruntly, K. B. C. Howell, bainucl \V. l.yirl, :uul .luh;i M. l'ci-k. Pnlpit (. li'i'ni, 12mo. sheep. 1'rice sl.'J.O. Pew edition. ISmo., 75 cents. Pocket edition, 32mo., OGU ft*. All tlie different sizes supplied in extra styles of Liudiug at corresponding prices. *,* Thli work It mny be tiij, hu become THK BOOK of the Biptirt denomi- nation, having been introduced extensively Into every State in the Uion, and the British province*. A* a collection of hymns it stands unrivalled. The united testimony of pastor* of the Baptist churches in Boston and Tlclnlty, In New York, and in Philadelphia, of the most decided and flatter- ing character, has been givru in favor of the book. Also, by the Profeasnn ! Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, and the Newton Theological Institution. The fame, also, has been done by a great nnmber of clergymen, churches. Associations, and Conventions, in every State of the I'r.ion. The following notice, from the Miami Association, of Ohio, is but a speci- men of a host of others, received by the publisher* : Your Committee recommend to the attention of the Churches, the new work called The Psalmist,' as worthy of special patronage. 1. It ! exceed- ingly desirable that our whole denomination should ue in the i>r..rc< of th sanctuary the same psalm*, hymns, and spiritual songs. To secure uniformity, we prefer ' The Psalmist,' because it is strictly, and from the foundation, iVusgsna for the use of Baptist churches, is not surpassed by any Hymn Book in the world. 2. It ha* been prepared with the greatest care. In no instance ha* a Hymn Book gone through so thorough a revision. 3. It is a book of very superior merit*. The Committee then-tore recommend to th churches the adoption of this work a* well calculated to elevate the taste and the devotion of the denomination." THE PSALMIST, WITH A SUPPLEMENT, By RICHARD FULLER, of Baltimore, and J. B. JETER, of Richmond. (Style and prices s:\me as above.) *,*This work contains nearly thirtrm htmrfrrd Aymn-, original and selected, by 172 writers, besides pieces credited to fifty-five collections of hymns or other work*, the authorship of which b unknown. Forty-five are anonymous, being traced neither to authors nor collections. TB SUPPLEMENT, occupying the place of the Chants, which in many lections of the country are seldom used, was undertaken by Rev. MUSTS. Fuller and .Icier, at the solicitation of friends at the South. The Psalmist contains a copious supply of excellent hymns for th pulpit We an acquainted with no collection of hymns combining. In an equal degree, poetic merit, evangelical sentiment, ami a rii-h variety of sub- jects, with a hnppy adaptation to pulpit rrviir. i >..! M.ng%, like old friends, are more valuable than new ones. A nnmber of the hymn* hrst known, most Talned, and most frequently snng in the South, are not fun ml in the Psalmist. 'Without them, no hymn book, whatever maybe its excellences, is likely to become generally or permanently popular in that region." Prt/acc. COMPANION FOR THE PSALMIST. Containing Original Music. Arranged for Hymns in ' The I'^Umist,' of pecnliai character and metre. By N. D. GOULD. Pric 12X cents. WINCHELL'S WATTS. WATTS AND R1PPON. VALUABLE WORKS ON BAPTISM. JEWETT ON BAPTISM. The Mode and Subject* of Baptism. By Jhu> P. JEWKTT, A.M., lute 1'rotessor in Marietta College and a Hut-used Minister of the Presbyterian Church. Tenth thousand. Price 25 cents. Rev. J. R. Graves, one of the editor* of the Tennessee Baptist, In a recent number ul' hi paper, lays : " Who will write the history of one little Jftrrtt on Hapti-m ' Hundreds in our land hare been converted to the truth by Derat- ing that book. In the pait year, Remington, an able Methodist preacher, read that work. It recalled in his cooveniou he wrote /.u' reasons,' ud thtj eonverti-.l another preacher, and the pebble thus thrown by Bro Jewvtt in the tea of mind, produced a ware which produced another, and thus In long tue- eession they ill travel on, each producing iu successor until they break on the ihora* of eternity. I the object nut a commendable one ? It is pouring oil upon the unresting wave of religious mind, lashed by angry discussions. Such I* .oka read in solitude with ouc'j Bible and his God, will huah the tarn- pest of his own soul to rest." JUDSON ON BAPTISM. A Discourse on Christian Baptism; with many quotations from Pedobapist authors. To which are added a letter to the church in Plymouth, Ms., and an address on th mode of baptizing. By "ADOSIRAM .h DSON. Fifth American edition, revised and enlarged by the Author. 18mo. Price 2,j e This work is now published In book form, and having been thoroughly rerised and enlarged by its venerable author, while in this country. It will bsi ought for and read with Interest by all. "It is aclesr, calm, and convincing view of the futility of the distinguish- ing points of 1'edobaptism, and a rational and scriptural defence of the baptism of persons of suitable age aud qualifications, and in the manner prescribed in the New Testament* Ckrirlian Review, Dec. 1847. ESSAY ON CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. By Rev. BAPTIST W. NOEL. " He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." 16mo. Cloth. Price 60 cents. Sftiart /ram Prtfact. During mjr n.inia'ry in the estaMishment, an Indrfniie feu ol U. eoociusiuo* t which I ru.gSt arrive, Iwl me to arokl the study of u> ques- .'U*^cU tu exaniinr hooescjy each pusiagv of J>chpiure upon v W nmny an dbpoaad lo altflilMiia itf op*Mos> wsjisticoitirjulic'.s Uicir own, to such a pariioj, otie-suled inTeu- ntion .-iii-lri, I litfrniinrd u> fuim my own joil^-mrnt rauVly by uv . KXOWI.KS. BARNAS SEARS, and S. F. SMITH. A limited number of complete seta, from U36 to 1843 in. 4 the first Eight volumes, can be supplied at $10.n" I..I.T v!, in neat Cloth backs. A !' the work, from vol. 2 to vol. 8 inclusive, will IK- supplied in boards, the seven volumes, for $5.00 per set. :mes (except the/rsOi supplied in numbers, at $1.00 per volume. This work contains valuable contributions from all the lending men of th Baptist denomination, and is an Important acquiition to anv library. Th present opportunity to secure seta of the early volumes of tins work at tnui craatlr mluced price, will, w an iure, be embraced by many who desire to posaesi it, and may never again have so favorable an opportunity, as tM Hock on hand is limited. RIPLEY'S NOTES. CRUDEN'S CONCORDANCE. THE FOUR GOSPELS, WITH NOTES. Chiefly Explanatory; intended principally for Sabbath School Teachers and Bible Classes, and as an aid to Family Instruction. I'v II. J. RIPI.KY. With a Map of Palestine. Eighth thousand." 12mo., half morocco. Price $1.25. " The undersigned, having examined Professor Ripley's Notes on the (',"- pelt, can recommend them with rontidence to all who need lUch helps in the study of the tarred Scriptures. Those passages which all can understand arc left without note or comment,' and the principal labor is devoted to the explanation of such parts at need to be explained and rescued from the per- versions of errorists, both the ignorant and the learned. The practical sug- gestions at the close of each chapter, are not the least valuable portion of the work. Most cordially, for the sate of truth and righteousness, do we wish for ttieie Note* a wide circulation." BAROV STOW, R. H. NEALK, R. TCRXBCLL, DAMRI. SIIAKP, J. W. PAKKEE, N. COLTER, WM. HAOI-E, R. W. CUSMMAX, J. W. Bos WORTH. THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. WITH NOTES. Chiefly Explanatory. Designed for Teachers in Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes, and as an Aid to Family Instruction. By Prof. H. J. Ripley. With a Map of Paul's Travels. Third Thousand. 12ino., half morocco. Price 75 cents. * On examining the contents, we are favorably Impressed, first, by the won- derful perspicuity, simplicity, and comprehensiveness of the author's rtylc i secondly, by the "completeness and systematic arrangement of the work, in all Its ports ; thirdly, by the correct theology, solid inntruetion, and consistent explanations of difficult passages. The work cannot fail to be received with favor." t'krutian Reflector, Button. CRUDEN'S CONDENSED CONCORDANCE. A Complete Concordance to the Holy Scriptures ; by ALEXAXDKR CRD- DEN, M.A. A New and Condensed Edition, with nn Introduc- tion ; by Rev. DAVID KING, LL.D. Fifth Thousand. Price, in Boards, $1.25 ; Sheep, $1.50. ,* This edition is printed from English plates, and Is a full and fair copy of all that is valuable in Cruden as a Concordance. The condensation of the quotations of Scripture, arranged under their most obvious heads, while it diminishes the bulk of the work, greatly facilitates the finding of any required passage. " Those who have been acquainted with the various works of thti kind now In use, well know that Cruden's Concordance far excels all others. Yet we have in this edition the best made better. That is, the present is better adapted to the purpones of a Concordance, by the erasure of superfluous reference^ the omission of unnecessary explanations. f\nd the contraction of quotations. &c. ; It is better as a manua'l, and is better adapted by Its price to the means of many who need and ought to possess such a work, than the former larger and expensive edition." Bntirm Recorder. " The new, condensed, and cheap work prepared from the voluminous and costly one of Cruden. opportunely fills a chasm in our Biblicnl litcratum. The work has been examined critically, and pronounced complete and accu- rate." Baptist Record, Philadelphia. " This is the very work of which we have long frit the need, and we an touch pleased that its enterprising publishers can now furnish the student at the Bible with a work which he so much needs at so cheap a rutc." Atli-tnt Herald, Ration, " We cannot ee but it Is. in all point*, as valuable a book of reference, for Ontotcn and Bible students, as the larger edition.- - Ohrunan fajltrtor. FOR SABBATH SCHOOLS. MALCOM'S BIBLE DICTIONARY. A Dictionary of the most important Names, Objects, and Terms, found in the Holy Scriptures; intended principally for Sunday School Teachers and Bible Classes. By H. 'MALCOM, D.D. Illus- trated by Engravings. 18mo. half morocco. One Hundreth thousand. Price 60 cts. " All who for a moment recur to the fact, that large folio* would not infll- eiently elucidate the subjects which are brought to view in the Bible, will at once fee the difficulty which the author must hare felt, In compressing all the information which he has so judiciously condensed. If any should inquire. Why hare we not more, the theinei being o numerom? let such an one look gain, and, perhaps, in his surprise, he will exclaim. How is it, that, in a book so completely portable, we hare so much? to have made a larger book, a* could have been done with for less labor than this cost, might have placed it beyond the reach of many, to whom it will now be useful. All who know the allusions to ancient customs, and Jewish usages iu Eastern countries, with which the Bible abounds, will discover something of the worth of this volume. It is very neatly printed on handsome type and fine paper, and will, we doubt nut, meet, as it deserves, a ready sale." Cfiriitian Watchman. HAGUE'S GUIDE TO CONVERSATION on the New Testament Designed for the Use of Bible Classes and Sabbath Schools. Vol. I. Matthew, Vol. II. John. By Rev. WM. HAGUE. Price 17 cents each. SABBATH SCHOOL CLASS BOOK. Comprising copious Exercises on the Sacred Scriptures. By E. LINCOLN. Revised and improved by an eminent Clergyman, and a Superinten- dent. Price 12> cents. " Having examined your Sabbath School Class Book, it gives us pleasure to express our satisfaction with its design and execution. The great benefit which a good claw book accomplishes, consists in guiding the mind of the scholar in the study of hi* lesson, and in suggesting topics of conversation to the teacher. To this end we think your work is well adapted ; having avoided In a great degree, the evils of extreme redundance or conciseness. Wx. HAGUE, II. MALCOU, E. THRESHKR, BAKU.V STOW. LINCOLN'S SCRIPTURE QUESTIONS, With the answers annexed, giving in the language of the Sacred Volume, interest- ing portions of the History, and a concise view of the Doc- trines and Duties exhibited' in the Bible. Price $1.00 per doz. .* Where Bibles cannot be furnished to each scholar, the Scripture Ques- tions may be used with convenience, a* the _rwers are printed. THE SABBATH SCHOOL HARMONY; containing appropri- ate Hymns and Music for Sabbath Schools, Juvenile Singing Schools, and Family Devotion. By N. D. GOULD. Price 12X cents. SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY. Containing a Descriptive Account of Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Reptiles, Ser- pents, Plants, Trees, Minerals, Gems, and Precious Stones, mentioned in the Bible. By WM. CARPENTER, London; with improvement", by Rev. G. I). ABBOTT. Illustrated by numer ous Engravings. 12mo. cloth, Price $1.00. REV. HARVEY NEWCOMB'S WORKS. HOW TO BE A LADY; A Book for Girls, containing useful hints on the formation of character. Fifth thousand. 18mo., gilt cloth. Price 50 cents. " Having daughter* of hii own, and hiring been many years employed in writing fur the young, lie hopes to b* able to offer ome go. id advice. In an entertaining way. for girl* or mirs. bvtwrrn the age* of eight and Hfieem. Ili object is. to assist them in forminc their characters upon the b*t model t that they may become well-bred, intelligent, refined, and good ; and then they will hf real t'.ti.:<. in the highest sense."- Pntfaet. "They are full of wholetoine ancl ju.licious counsels, which are wel*. fitted to preserve the young from the nnmberle evil* to which they are exposed, and to mould them to virtue and otefulnew. There if a directness and earneitneu pervading the whole, which mutt secure for it a ready acceu to the youthful mind and heart." Albany Argot. HOW TO BE A MAN ; A Book for Bovs, containing useful hints on the formation of character. Fifth thousand. 18mo., gilt cloth. Price 50 cents. "My design in writing has been to contribute something toward* forming the character of those who are to be our future electors, legislator*, governor*, judges, ministers, lawyer*, and physicians, after the best model. It is intended fur boy* or, if you please, for j/oaitg gentlemen, in early youth, from eight or ten to fifteen or sixteen years of age." I'ir/aee. " They contain wi*e and important counsel* and cautions, adapted to the young, and made entertaining by the interesting style and illustrations of th< author. They are fine mirror*, in which are reflected the prominent Hnca- mcnts of the Ukrintian young gtntlrmtu, ttntt tack. DAILY MANNA for Christian Pilgrims. By ReT. B. STOW, D.D. THE ATTRACTIONS OF HEAVEN. Edited by the ROT. H. A. GRAVES. THE YOUNG COMMUNICANT. An Aid to the Right Under standing and Spiritual Improvement of the Lord's Supper. THE ACTIVE CHRISTIAN. By JOHN HARRIS, D.D. THE BIBLE AND THE CLOSET. Or, how we may read the Scriptures with the most spiritual profit. And Secret Prayer successfully managed. Edited by Rev. J. O. Choules. THE MARRIAGE RING, or how to make Home Happy. From the writings of J. A. JAMES. LYRIC GEMS. A Collection of Original and Select Sacred Poetry. Kdited by Kev. S. F. SMITH. THE CASKET OF JEWELS, for Young Christians. By JAMES, F.mvAKlm, and H.\Ki;lta. THE CYPRESS WREATH. A Book of Consolation for those who Mourn. Edited by Rev. R. W. GUISWOLD. THE MOURNER'S CHAPLET. An Offering of Sympathy for Bereaved Friends. Edited by JOHN KLESE. THE FAMILY CIRCLE. Its Affections and Pleasures. Edited by the Rev. H. A. GRAVES. THE FAMILY ALTAR. Or the Duty, Benefits, and Mode of conducting Family Worship. Sett of the above, in veil boxes, and forming a beautiful " Minia- ture Library" in 12 Vuls. Price $3.76. THE SILENT COMFORTER. A Companion for the Sick Room. By Mrs. LOUISA PAYSON HOPKINS. GOLDEN GEMS; for the Christian. Selected from the writings of Rev. JOHN F LAV EL, with a Memoir of the Author, by Kev. JOSEPH RA.NVAUD. DOUBLE MINIATURES. PRICB 60 Ccrrs EACH. THE Wr.I>I)ING GIFT: Or, the Duties and Pleasures of Do- mestic Life. THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN'S GUIDE to the Doctrine* and Duties of a Religious Life. Tin: MoriiNu: COMFOKTED. 1HK CHRISTIAN'S PRIVATE COMPANION. CONSOLATION FOR THE AFFLICTED. THE SILENT COMFORTER. DAILY DUTIES, WAYLAND'S UNIVERSITY SERMONS. SERMONS DELIVERED IN BROWN UNIVERSITY. BY FRANCIS WAYLAND, D. D. Second Edition. 12mo. Price, $1 00. " Pew sermon* contain 10 much care-fully arranged thought ni these by Dr. Wa) land. The thorough logician in apparent throughout the volume, and there it a cluuic purity in the diction unsurpassed l>y any writer, ana equalled by very few." JVnc York Commercial .Advertiser. " They are the careful production of a matured and powerful intellect, and were addressed to a thinking and well-informed audience, and are especially adapted for the educated and thoughtful man." Chr. Alliance. "No thinking man can open to any portion of it without finding hit attention strongly arrested, nnd feeling inclined to yield hi* assent to those elf-evincing statement* which appear on every page. As a writer, Dr. Waylaml is dintinjuishod by simplicity, strength, and comprehensiveness. He addresses himself directly to the intellect more than to the imagination ; to the conscience more than to the passions. Yet, through the intellect and the conscience, he often renrhcs the depths of our emotive nature, and rouses it by words of power. Wo commend those sermons to all student* of moral and religious truth, to all lovers of sound thought conveyed in elegant diction." Watchman If Reflector. " The discourses are characterized by all thai richness of thought and elegance of language for which their talented author is celebrated. The whole volume is well worthy of the pen of the distinguished scholar and divine from whom it emanates." Dr. Satrd's Christian Union. SACRED RHETORIC: Or Composition and Dilirery of Srrmons. Br HEJIET J. RirLcr, Professor in Newton Theological Institution. Including Ware's Hints on Extemporaneous Preaching. I2au>. Price, To cent*. " An admirably prepared work, clear and succinct in its positions and recommendations, soundly based on good authority, and well supported hy a variety of reading and illustrations. It is well adapted for a healthy dis- cipline of the faculty, and there are few preachers who might not with profit revise their practice by its pnges. It is worthy^ too, of being a com- panion to Whale ly, in the general study of Rhetoric." A*. J'. Literary World. " Prof. Ripley posscues the highest qualifications for a work of this kind. His position has given him great experience in the peculiar wanU of theo- logical students." Providence Journal. " This work belongs among the substantial) of our literature. It i* man- ifestly the fruit of mature thought and large observation ; it is pervaded by a manly tone, and abounds in judicious counsel* ; it is compactly written, and admirably arranged, both for study and reference. It will become a text-book for theological students ; it deserves to be read by nil minister* who can avail themselves of it, and especially hy all young minister*." ff. T. Record*. REPUBLICAN CHRISTIANITY: OR TRUE LIBERTY; j* exluttted in U L{/e, Precepts, and early Ducifles of At Great Redeemer BY E. L. M A i; i) (i N . l-Jmo. Pric, $1 25. " It is adapted to the spirit of the times. It meets and answers the great inquiry of the present day. It describes clearly the corruptions of past times, the- imperfections of thn present, and the changes that must bo effected in the forms and spirit of religion, and through religion, upun the State, to secure to us better and brighter prospects for the future. The author is not afraid to expose anil condemn tin- errors and corruptions, either of the church or slate." CAristum Watchman. " It is a very readable, and we think will prove a useful book. The ar- gument is clear and well sustained, and the style bold and direct. The tone and spirit of the entire work are that of an independent thinker, and of a m;ni whose sympathies are with the many and not with the few, with no privileged cluss, but with the human race. We commend this hook to all lovers of true liberty and of a pure Christianity." Providence Journal. " Mr. Maroon thinks boldly, and speaks frankly, and with a variety and freshness of illustration that never fail to command attention." JVfta York 7Vine. " lie considers Christianity in all its parts as essentially republican. Ha has maintained bis position with great tact. It is a clear, striking, attrac- tive presentation of his views, and the reasons for them. It will excite nttention, both from the subject itself, and from the manner in which it is handled." Philadelphia Chronicle. " This book is one which the masses will read with avidity, and iU pe- rusal, we thiuk, will fire up the zeal of tome Christian scholars." Baptist Memorial. PROVERBS FOR THE PEOPLE: Or, IUtLstrativ*j of practical fhdlincjf, drawn from the Book of rt'itdom. BY E. L. MAGOON. l-2mo. Prict, 90 cents. " He is quaint, sententious. He bos indeed the three great qualities, ' pith, point, -mid pathos ; ' and always enforces high aud noble sentiments." -V(io York Recorder. " It is a popular manual of great practical utility." Ch. Chronicle, Phtfa, " The subjects are so selected as to embrace nearly all the practical duties of lifr. The work, in consequence, of this peculiar character, will be found extensively useful." Rochester Democrat. " The work abounds with original and pithy matter, well adapted to en- cage the attention and to reform the life. \Ve hope these discourses will be extensively reiul." Morning Star, Dover. " It is an excellent book for young people, anil especially for young men, ajnidst the temptations of business and plcanurc." Albany Eiprttt. '.J HISTORY OF AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONS, IN ASIA, AFRICA, EUROPE, AND NORTH AMERICA, Under the care of the American Baptist Missionary Union. BY WILLIAM GA.MMELL, A. M. JTitA teten Map*. 12mo. Price, S