One woman's mission and how she fulfilled it; a memorial of Mrs. Harriet E. Dickson

Front matter

UlBRAMOFCOiNGRESS.I

#|i«P- ■■•■ Iwigw fo I i united states op america. |

#NE Soman's Mission,

Chapter I. 1789-1827

PAGE

Birth and early Life. — Religious Experience. — Teaching in Haddington. — Adoption of Baptist Principles. — Removal to Edinburgh, and Teaching there. -^ Interest in Missions. — Marriage. — Departure for the Ionian Islands 13

Chapter II. 1827-1836

Establishment in Cephalonia. — Birth of a Son. — Removal to Argostoli, and thence to Zante. — Success of the School. — A sad and sudden Reverse. — They set out on a Visit to their native Land. — Mr. D.'s Illness. — Presentiment of Evil. — Mr. Dickson's Death at Leghorn. — Kindness and Sympathy of Strangers. — Mrs. D. returns to Zante 25

10 CONTENTS.

Chapter III. 1836-1842

PAIrE

Kind Reception in Zante. — Removal to Corfu. — Mrs. D. becomes connected with the American Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. — Visit to England and Scotland. — Leaves her Son at School in Scotland. — Favorable Opening of her School in Corfu. — Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Buel. — Jewesses. — A violent Outbreak of Fanaticism. — Departure of Mr. and Mrs. Buel. — Baptisms. — Mr. and Mrs. Love leave for America 60

Chapter IV. 1843-1845

Persecution of the Greek Converts. — Sickness, apd repeated dangerous Accidents. — A fatal Epidemic and a blighted Hope. — Arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold and Miss Waldo. — Excitement resulting from a Baptism. — Visit to England and Scotland. — Mrs. D.'s Son goes to America. — Interest in England and Scotland in behalf of the Jews in Corfu. — Bread cast upon the Waters found after many Days. — Return to Corfu. — A penitent old Man 90

CONTENTS. 11

PAGE

Sickness and Kecovery. — The Existence of the Mission imperilled. — Mrs. D.'s Attachment to her Work. — Conversation with a Jewess. — Kepeated Sickness. — Tropical Scenery. — A Summer alone.

— First Baptism in Greece. — Death of Mrs. York.

— Return of Mrs. D.'s Son to Corfu. — Removal

of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold to Athens 126

Chapter VI. 1851-1855

The School in Corfu. — Good News from former Pupils. — Fruits of the Mission. — Views of Heaven. — Welcome Visits from America. — Visit to Athens.

— Memoir of Mrs. York. — Reluctance to write to Strangers. — Humility. — Love for close Preaching.

— Anxiety for the Conversion of her Son. — Prosperity of the School. — War and Cholera. — Marriage and Baptism of her Son. — A happy Visit. — Breaking up of the Mission 162

12 CONTENTS.

Chapter VII. 1855-1860

PAGE

Visit to England and Scotland. — Kindness and Liberality of Christian Friends. — The School saved. — Death of Mrs. Ellen Dickson. — Unwillingness to give up the School in Corfu. — Death of a pious little Girl. — xln honest Greek Boy. — Mr. Dickson's Marriage with Miss Barton. — Removal to Athens. — The closing Scene. — Conclusion. . . 224

Appendix

Account of several of Mrs. Dickson's earlier Scholars , * .... 255

Chapter I. Early Life In Scotland

'ENEIETTA EMILAY was born in Haddington, Scotland, October 3, 1789. The only particulars of her early life, which are known to be on record, are contained in a letter which she wrote to the Eev. Solomon Peck, D. D., dated January 1, 1839. When she was about fifteen years of age, she was sent to reside for some months with an aunt, who was the widow of a Presbyterian minister. Here she became acquainted with religious people, and was brought under the faithful preaching of the word. After a time, she applied to the minister for admission into his church. He was a godly man ; and the questions which he put to her in regard to her religious experience were so discriminating and pointed, that her self-confidence was shaken, and she came to feel, for the first time, that she was a very great sinner. ''In the course of a few hours," she writes, "an entire revolution took place in my feelings and views. The sins of my childhood and youth rushed upon my mind. I had offended God, and knew not how such a holy and just Being could be reconciled. I began by trying to better myself, and carried my pharisaical strictness so far as to be afraid of looking on this side or on that, lest I should take in objects of sin. I returned to my father's house changed in appearance, but not renewed. All my attempts to better myself were felt to be vain. I saw that my best services were inexpressibly loathsome in the sight of God. Could I then have seen that Jesus was exalted a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and remission of sins to the most unworthy, the struggle might soon have been over ; but I had no one to guide me, no one to whom I could tell my case. Night after night was spent alone in weeping and wailing over my hopeless case. I was afraid to go to sleep, lest I should awake in endless torments. "* After a night of deep anxiety and bitter conflict, I tried to cast my helpless soul upon God, when these words fell sweetly upon my mind : ' I will bring the blind by a way that the}^ knew not ; I will lead them in paths that they have not known ; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight:

these things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.' (Isa. xlii. 16.) My soul was at once dissolved in tenderness and love to that benevolent Being who could care for such a worthless worm as I felt myself to be. It may seem strange that a passage of Scripture that has no reference to the character or work of the Saviour should give relief to a mind burdened with sin ; but to one who felt herself to be an outcast and lost, the care of God appeared an infinite mercy. The enmity was slain. The Bible was read with great delight. In its sacred pages I saw more clearly, in the life and death of Jesus, how God could be just, and the justifier of the ungodly; and I rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Now my inquiry Avas, ^Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' How shall I show forth the praises of Him who hath called me out of darkness into his marvellous light?"

She immediately began to teach a few children in her father's house. This beginning, unpretending and without plan, soon grew into a large school, which she taught successfully for many years.

For the first few years of her religious experience, she walked alone : none of her former companions took up the cross, and she had relinquished them all, thinking that her duty lay in retirement. "But I was roused from this mistaken idea," she writes, " by the application of these words : ^ What do ye more than others ? ' These words sounded in my ears in the way of reproof. I felt that I had not been faithful to souls. I invited my dear pupils to come on Lord's days, and commenced a Sabbath school. Here I had great enjoyment and delightful freedom in directing them to the Saviour. One or two lambs were brought into the fold, and some others have followed since. 2

I visited the sick more regularly, and took opportunities of introducing the subject of religion to some of my former companions. They became interested. One dear young lady gave up all for Christ. I walked no longer alone. We agreed to meet for prayer for our relations. She had the happiness of seeing her three sisters take upon them the yoke of Jesus. These were delightful days : seasons of communion with God in prayer refreshed and invigorated our souls.*

"When Bible and missionary societies were established among us, I entered warmly into their claims, and became a collector. Many of my pupils followed the example, and the school became a little missionary society. It was while listening with rapt attention to the addresses delivered on the anniversaries of these societies that the first

♦ See, in the Appendix, an account of some of these youthful converts.

desire sprang up of entering the missionary field, and using my feeble endeavors to be useful to the heathen. 1 was aware that, if this desire, kindled at first under the bright glow of animated description, had no other foundation than what was derived from the circumstances under which it first manifested itself, it would soon evaporate ; but I likewise knew that, if the desire was from God, he could be at no loss for means to accomplish it. In the mean time I went on studying the Scriptures, trying to discover the path of duty, when a new and interesting object struck my mind.

"A pious friend had casually dropped a hint on the subject of baptism, and of the duty of Christians to examine it for themselves. I took up the subject, and resolved to follow it out. But here I must confess I was unwilling to admit the truth, and hesitated a long time after I saw that infant sprinkling was untenable. But that time of hesitation was a time of discomfort and darkness. This continued until I gave myself up to be guided simply by the Scriptures of truth ; but no sooner had I done this than light and peace took possession of my mind, a sweet sense of forgiving love was imparted, and all th^ apprehensions of opposition, scorn, and mockery dwindled into nothing. I said, 'I will go in the strength of the Lord, making mention of his righteousness, even of his only.'

'^ Just at this time I received a letter containing a pressing invitation to take charge of a boarding-school in Edinburgh. I did not deliberate long about accepting this situation. I thought I saw the finger of God pointing out the way in which I could follow Jesus more fully. There being no Baptist church in Haddington, my native place, I gladly undertook this laborious and respousible situation, that I might have the high privilege of unitiug myself with the people of God, and showing my attachment to the blessed Saviour by doing his commandments.

'' I took leave of my dear school, and of my father's house, under an impressive sense of duty. Much regret was expressed at parting, and some efforts were made to detain me ; but I had taken my resolution, and soon found, to my inexpressible joy, that it was no vain thing to serve the Lord. I was soon after baptized by the Eev. Christopher Anderson, and added to the church assembling in Charlotte Street, Edinburgh.* I have ever considered this transaction as one of the most delightful and interesting of my

* This was in the year 1825, probably in the spring of that year. She commenced teaching in Haddington when she was about seventeen years of age ; so that she must have taught there eighteen or nineteen years before removing to Edinburgh.

life. I had reason to bless God for leading me to Edinburgh. Several of the young persons that formed the establishment were happily converted, and added to the church."

The boarding school to which she here refers was at Dairy, near Edinburgh, and was under the patronage of Lady Carnegie.

Notwithstanding the enjoyment which she found in her new privileges in Edinburgh, there was one earnest aspiration which forbade her soul to find rest until it was satisfied. After she had been about two years in Edinburgh, a number of ladies there formed themselves into a society for the purpose of sending female teachers to Greece. She offered her services to this society, and was accepted.

On the 5th of March, 1827, she was married to Mr. George Dickson, a member of the Rev. Mr. Anderson's church, and a sharer in her missionary zeal. But as the society above mentioned, being composed of different denominations, hesitated about sending out Baptists, the connection which she had formed with them was finally dissolved. But this change did not abate in any degree her missionary zeal, nor even change its direction.

"After much consultation with my husband," she writes, " and many prayers to our heavenly Father for direction, we agreed to go abroad on our own account, and trust to Divine Providence for our future support. By some this was considered a bold step ; but such was my conviction of duty, that nothing intimidated me, or at all clouded the horizon of my prospects.

"On the 29th of May, 1827, we bade our native shores adieu, and came to London. Here we visited many schools, and studied the system pursued at the Central School, Borough Road. We received letters of commendation from some wprthy persons in London, and finally took our leave of England in August. Having been mercifully preserved through a severe storm, and no less providentially kept from becoming the prey of pirates, we reached Corfu in safety."

CHAPTER n.

LIFE IN CEPHALONIA AND ZANTE.

N their arrival in Corfu, Mr. and

Mrs. Dickson were very kindly received by Sir Frederick Adam, who was at that time the Lord High Commissioner, or chief representative of the British crown in the Ionian Islands. He entered warmly into their plans, and promised to do everything in his power to favor them. They took up their residence in the island of Cephalonia, where the surplus revenues of an old convent were assigned to them. This enabled them to take boarders on verj^ low terms, and they soon had above twenty. During their residence at this place, their only child, Thomas George Dickson, was born, August 10, 1828. After remaining three years at this convent in the country, they removed to Argostoli, the principal town in the island, and there opened a day school for the poor, at the same time continuing their boarding school. They soon had more than fifty poor girls under their instruction. But in consequence of an unfavorable chan2:e in the native department of the government, their educational efforts were obstructed, and they were deprived of the revenues of the convent.* They were thus thrown entirely upon their own resources for support ; and, as they had

* The local government of the Ionian Islands at that time was of a complex nature, its powers and responsibilities being divided, in each island, between a native magistrate and a representative of the British crown, or rather of the Lord High Commissioner. The former of these magistrates bore the title of Regent, the latter that of Resident.

no missionary or educational society to look to for assistance, their faith in the providing care of their heavenly Father was put to the test. But that faith did not fail ; and He in whom they trusted soon brought them help.

Mr. Dickson was appointed teacher of English in the public school of the neighboring island of Zante.

" When we came to Zante," Mrs. D. writes, "we found a flourishing girls' school, established by a missionary who had recently left ; and another was established soon after our arrival. These schools continued to prosper. A considerable number of scholars came on Lord's days for religious instruction : they committed to memory passages of Scripture, and readily answered questions proposed to them. Thus our hopes of future usefulness brightened."

Their missionary work in Zante went on undisturbed for five years or more.

After having been absent from their native land about nine years, wishing to see their aged parents once more, they obtained from the Ionian government leave of absence for six months. While they were waiting for a suitable opportunity to go by sea, a sudden and portentous cloud overshadowed their horizon, lately so bright with hope. "An examination of the school had taken place, and the girls gave such pertinent answers to questions, and conducted themselves so properly, as greatly to please the company present. Mr. D. questioned them on Scripture geography, from a map kindly sent us by the British and Foreign School Society. Their answers to these questions seemed greatly to surprise the Bishop and clergy who were present ; and from that time they seemed to feel alarmed for the religion of the girls, and immediately raised the cry of prosel3^tism against Mr. Dickson. To make their case more plausible, they secretly sent a person to borrow a tract on idolatry, which they immediately said we had been distributing in dozens, in order to subvert their religion. After the public mind was somewhat excited by these representations, the Bishop and several of his clergy came into the school, and hung up a picture of the Virgin, and told the native teacher to repeat certain prayers before this picture, and the scholars to cross themselves before it. This was done without our knowledge, my husband being at his duties in the public school, and I engaged in some household affairs. In a short time, however, we were made acquainted with what had been done. The same evening, we took down the picture, and my husband informed the Eesident and Regent of the whole affair.

They approved of the taking down of the picture, and desired Mr. D. to go to the Bishop, and tell him that, if he wished a picture put up in the school, he must apply for permission in a legal way, and not clandestinely force the observance of religious rites in a free school. All this appeared favorable ; but the enemies of education and true religion were not to be so soon silenced. They drew up an accusation against my husband, consisting of three articles, which were — distributing heretical books, preventing the girls from making the sign of the cross, and removing the picture. The Resident, who had approved ^of the removal of the picture, went out of office just at this time ; and a stranger was installed in his place, who was unacquainted with the circumstances of the case, with the language of the people, and with us. He was immediately beset with invectives against us, and the case was made out to be so bad that the peace of the island was represented to depend upon his interposing his authority to stop the growing evil. Two days after his instalment, when he held his first levee, he called Mr. Dickson, and before his accusers charged him with interfering with the religion of the natives, by trying to induce the girls to become proselytes. He ended by commanding him, in the most authoritative manner, never more to enter the school, or in any way to interfere with its management. This reproof, under such aggravated circumstances, made a deep impression on my poor husband's mind. He felt as if fallen, and deprived of a situation of usefulness in a place where it seemed the will of God that we should reside. Such a reprimand from an Englishman to an Englishman, in a community of Greeks, soon had the effect of exciting the populace, who hooted and derided us whenever we went out.

" Such was the state of things when we left Zante, on the 12th of July, 1836, with the intention of visiting our native country.

'^A few days before we left, my husband came out of his room one morning, and said to me, with much solemnity, ' He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.'

" How little I then understood the meaning of those words, which in a little more than a month afterwards were affectingly realized !

"My desire of going home by sea was overruled by my husband wishing to go to Corfu to see the Lord High Commissioner, and also by receiving a letter at the same time from Miss Anderson, who was to accompany us, saying that she could not possibly get ready in time for the vessel that was about to sail. Thus it seemed to be the path of duty to go by land, and in this view of it I was satisfied : still an unaccountable gloom hung over my mind, which I could not shake off. I asked myself the reason of this depression, but I could find nothing to justify it but the heat of the weather.

^^ We left Zante in company with Mr. and Miss Lowndes, who had been there. Miss L. on account of her health, and Mr. L. in his periodical visits to the schools.* We took in Miss Anderson at Cephalonia, on our way to Corfu. I At Corfu Mr. Dickson went

* Rev. Isaac Lowndes resided for about thirty years in Corfu, and as Superintendent of Public Schools, missionary of the London Missionary Society, and agent of the British and Foreign. Bible Society, labored faithfully and perseveringly for the spiritual good of the islanders.

t Miss Jane Anderson, a niece of the Rev. Christopher Anderson, of Edinburgh, had followed Mrs. Dickson to the Ionian Islands, and was at this time engaged in teaching in Cephalonia. She was of a kindred spirit with Mrs. D., and the ties of sacred sympathy and tender friendship bound their hearts together.

to see the Lord High CoQimissioner, hut not no redress.

" We left Corfu, and on the third day reached Ancona, where we had fourteen days' quarantine to perform. The hizarelto Avas comfortable, and the walking-ground commodious, so that our time passed agreeably during our confinement. Still I was distressed with apprehensions of some approaching trial : for thirteen nights I never slept until four in the morning. My dear husband, seeing that I was dull, kindly said, —

'' ' How your spirits will rise when you ascend the Alps ! '

" I gravely answered, —

*''I do not think any change of place will raise my spirits.'

" During our stay at the lazaretto we had leisure for family worship. After family prayer one morning, in which he had engaged with great solemnity, he said to Miss Anderson, —

"'He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.'

" Soon after we left Ancona, he complained of headache, and suffered extremely from the heat.

"When we reached Bologna, we were told that on account of the ravages of the cholera we could not proceed, as we had intended, either by Milan or through Germany ; so that we were obliged to retrace our steps a little way, and go to Florence, where we expected more certain information.

"On our way to Florence, we stopped at a small inn for the night. At this place I observed my dear husband laboring under mental depression, and seeming alarmed for our safety, for which I could see no adequate cause. I was at a loss to account for his state of raiiid. In my distress, I went into a retired corner to seek help from on high. While in prayer, my mind was soothed by the application of these words : ^ The poor committeth himself to thee ; thou art the orphan's stay.' Never did a poor, helpless creature feel a deeper sense of destitution and utter worthlessness than I did at that moment ; and never did any such more feelingly rely upon a Divine Arm for support. I was enabled to cast my all upon God, and to commit the unknown future into his hands. I rose from my knejgs refreshed, my burden gone ; and a sweet serenity, strangely combined with an awful solemnity, possessed my mind. Yet I could but ask myself, ^ What have I to do with the latter part of this sweet verse? My dear bo}^ is not an orphan.' But O, how sweet this part of the character of the Great Jehovah has appeared since ! The cloud seemed to darken every hour, but when or how it was to break I knew not : the sweet conviction that, happen what would, all was in the hands of my Father, supported me.

" During the journey from Florence to Leghorn, where we were to take the steamer for Marseilles, my dear husband seemed very much depressed, and somewhat wandering in mind, his pulse quick, and his tongue parched. He was very desirous to go through Pisa, to call on Colonel and Mrs. Conyers, as they had been exceedingly kind to us when Colonel Conyers was Resident of Cephalonia. We called on them, and were received with the utmost kindness. We reached Leghorn the same evening. After tea, as had been our custom on the journey when it was possible, we had family prayer. My dear husband prayed, solemnly, but briefly. It was the last prayer I ever heard from his lips. Disease made rapid progress ; delirium and fever set ia; and on the 11th of August, 1836, at Leghorn, he breathed his last. This stroke, so unexpected, falling upon me in the midst of strangers, with whose language I was very imperfectly acquainted, made me turn at once to Him, to whom, a few evenings before, I had committed myself and my all, for time and eternity; and, O, let me record it to the honor of his grace and mercy, he heard my cry, he sent from above and took me out of great waters, so that the flood did not overflow the poor creature who had committed herself to him. I felt so strengthened, that new energy seemed to be imparted to my bodily frame, and so sweetly composed, that I was quite equal to the new duties that devolved upon me. 1 wept, indeed ; but they were not the bitter tears of regret for my loss, so much as the aflfectionate effusions of sorrow that I had made it necessary for the compassionate Saviour to correct me with such a rod. I could but kiss the hand that smote. 'Be still, and know that I am God/ were the words that most powerfully impressed and most effectually sustained me.

''About an hour after my dear husband died, Miss Anderson and myself were sitting together, considering what we ought to do, as we knew not a single person in Leghorn. I wrote a few lines to the English consul, requesting that he would come and advise me how to act. For some cause or other, this note was never delivered to him ; but in a short time an English gentleman, of the name of Brown, came in, and most feelingly sympathized with us. He said, —

"'I am a countryman of your own. Can

I be of any service to you? Command me in any way.'

''I thanked him, and said the first thing I wished was to leave a house which had been the scene of so much suffering, and go to a private lodging, where we could remain until an opportunity occurred of returning to Zante. I considered it my duty to go back there, in order to settle our affairs, sell the furniture, &c., preparatory to returning home. He said, —

"'I shall get a private lodging for you this evening ; and you ought to be very thankful that you have so much philosophy as to make you so composed.'

"I interrupted him, and said, —

'^^O, sir, it is not philosophy: I know nothing about philosophy. It is the religion of the Son of God which supports my mind.'

"'Well/ he said, 'religion, or whatever it is, it is surprising.'

''While Mr. Brown was still with us, the Eev. Mr. Berry, the clergyman, called. His visit was a cordial to my wounded soul. He seemed to have a fellow-feeling with suffering humanity, and in the most tender and soothing manner directed me to look to the only source of comfort in the hour of trial. During the nine days that we remained in Leghorn he visited us every day, although his house was in the country, kindly inquired after my finances, and asked if we were connected with any society. I told him that we had come out on our own account, with the sole view of promoting female education, and that we were not connected with any society. In one of his visits he brought a lady with him, who seemed to partake of the same spirit of kind sympathy. Indeed, my feeliiigs were quite overpowered at the consideration of the goodness of God in raising up friends in a land of strangers, and giving them such an interest in our circumstances that they seemed to take pleasure in heaping favors upon us.

" The first Lord's day after his father's death, my little boy caught a very severe cold, which for a fortnight excited my attention and interest, and had the useful effect of engaging those feelings which too keenly dwelt upon my painful bereavement.

"After writing letters to my own father, and to the father of my deceased husband, informing them of the painful event, I was anxious to get away from a place which might justly be called Marah ; yet the bitter waters of this place were sweetened with many mercies, and especially by the gracious promise of Him who says, ^Call

AXD HOW SHE FULFILLED IT. 43

upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.'

"Prior to leaving, I wrote a few lines to our kind friend Mrs. Conyers, whom we had seen only a few days before at Pisa, on our way to Leghorn. As soon as she had received and read my letter, she said to Colonel Conyers, —

** * Prepare the carriage : I must go and see Mrs. Dickson immediately.'

"He kindly remonstrated, and said, —

" ^ It is the heat of the day : it is very unsafe to ride so many miles at this time.'