Memoirs of the Rev. Samuel Munson, and the Rev. Henry Lyman...

Preface

The eyes of Christian nations are turned with keen interest towards South-eastern Asia.

Having established a mission in Siam, the A. B. C. F. M. directed their attention to the neighbouring islands. Reports from that quarter appeared to warrant an effort to ascertain whether

VI PREFACE.

the Gospel might not be speedily preached throughout the Indian Archipelago.

With this design Messrs. Munson and Lyman were sent forth on a tour of observation and inquiry.

Some time after their tragical death it was concluded by a number of intelligent and judicious friends of the cause in which they fell, that a memorial of the deceased ought to be prepared for the public.

In accordance with their judgment and wishes, the present volume has been drawn up. Had the times been auspicious it would have appeared at a much earlier period.

Up to the time of their embarkation at Boston, the memoirs of Messrs.

PREFACE. Vll

Munson and Lyman are kept distinct. After that time they are blended, except that extracts are distinguished by the initials M. and L.

Chapter I

Early life of Samuel Munson — His conversion — His character in college.

Samuel, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Munson, was born in New Sharon, Maine, March 23, 1804. Near that time> his parents became subjects of grace, and attended faithfully to the religious instruction of their household. During childhood, young Samuel was, several times, the subject of distressing apprehensions on account of sin. His conscience, which appears to have been habitually tender, was often quickened^ at that period, by divine truth.

At ten years of age he was left an orphan, by an epidemic which proved fatal to both his parents. A friend of his father now received him to his house, which, from that time, he considered his home. His fidelity and sweetness of temper soon endeared him to each member of the domestic circle, and he was uniformly treated as a son and brother. 2

His boyhood was distinguished by the frank acknowledgment of his faults, kindness of disposition, a winning deportment, and that meek decision which was a leading characteristic of his riper years. His teachers esteemed him for his integrity and application to his task, and his mates always welcomed him as a fayourite companion on the play-ground, So strongly was young Munson attached to his studies, that he frequently retired, during the hours of relaxation at school, to gratify in solitude his strong thirst for knowledge.

At nineteen years of age, the subject of this memoir hopefully experienced " the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost." As no particular account of his religious exercises at that period has been preserved, the following narrative of the Rev. Josiah Peet, of Norridgewock, drawn from personal knowledge and recollection, will be gratifying to the pious reader.

"Labouring occasionally in the work of the ministry in New Sharon, I became acquainted with Samuel Munson, some time in the year IS 18, he being at that time about 15 years of age. I regarded him with interest, both from his personal appearance, and also from the fact that he was an orphan. As my acquaintance increased, I perceived he was an unusually sedate, modest, reflecting, sensible youth. Were he to become pious, I thought, he would be a suitable young man to study for the ministry. His religious impressions commenced in the early part of the year 1823. His convictions were deep and scriptural. He saw himself to be a depraved, guilty, and lost sinner ; and that nothing short of renewing grace, and an interest in the merits of an Almighty Saviour, could save him from impending, merited destruction. At length he was enabled, as he hoped, to cast himself upon the arms of the Saviour, and experienced peace in believing. Though the hope he cherished was a trembling one, he gave satisfactory evidence of a change of heart. He saw in himself such unlikeness to God, and so much that was wrong, that he was slow to believe there could be any thing truly good.

"In the course of the summer, others, w 7 ho obtained hope at the same time with himself, offered themselves to the church, but he kept back, feeling himself to be too unworthy and unfit to take this important step. At a subsequent visit, however, I found that he had concluded it to be his duty to own Christ before men. Accordingly he offered himself for examination, and on the 28th of September, 1823, was admitted to the church in full communion."

Soon after his admission to the church his mind was much occupied with the question, whether he ought not to seek a preparation for work of the ministry. At length, after repeated interviews with

16 HE5T0IE OF

Mr. Peet, he resolved to enter upon a course of preparatory studies, and during several of the following months he received gratuitous instruction from his clerical friend. He then joined the Academy at Farmington, where he pursued his studies through the summer and fall. The next winter he taught school in his native town \ and though his pupils were formerly his school-fellows, they readily yielded the respect due to his superior attainments and Christian decision. That season, for the first time, prayer was offered in the school morning and evening. At the close of his engagement at New Sharon he returned to Farmington, where he remained till the fall of 1825, when he entered Bowdoin College. .

The following account, which he drew up near the close of life, shows what difficulties opposed his first endeavours to prepare himself for the ministry.

" In 1824 I was received under the patronage of the Maine Branch of the American Education Society. About a year previous I indulged a hope in a precious revival in the town of New Sharon. Though I was then labouring on a farm, it was my prayer to God for many months, that he would direct me in the right way. I was desirous of doing good ; but how I could accomplish the most good did not then appear.

" I wanted, but I dared not mention it to my most intimate friends, — I wanted to prepare myself to preach the gospel to the heathens. But my parents were both dead — I was destitute of property, nor had I friends who were able to assist me. During this state of suspense, a beloved friend in the ministry inquired of me what course I intended to take. I could not answer. The next time we met he suggested a preparation for the ministry. I told him, without reserve, all my difficulties and wants. He then mentioned the Education Society. I did not long deliberate. The next week found me toiling with my Latin Grammar. I studied a few weeks, and was examined by the Directors, who admitted me to their patronage.

" But new perplexities beset me. The funds of the society were low ; and I resolved to do with as little assistance as possible. My wants, as stated to them, were always underrated. Indeed I did not wish to urge my claims upon them, while the wants of others better deserving their patronage, might be greater than mine. The consequence was, that, during my preparation for college, I received from them less than fifty dollars.

a But my studies could not be prosecuted without books. To run in debt for them would be imprudent. To borrow them was impossible. After every effort to procure them had failed, I sat down with the apprehension that this might be an obstacle thrown in my way by Providence, to prevent my progress towards the ministry, I felt perplexed and distressed. My feelings often found vent in tears. To abandon the enterprise seemed like giving up the hope of existence. At length a distant friend offered to lend me all the books I wanted. This dispensation of mercy dissipated my distressing doubts, and enabled me to go forward.

" Though all the time that could be spared from my studies was employed in teaching school, yet pecuniary embarrassment was my constant companion. When my studies at the academy were nearly finished, I was compelled to leave my class, and return once more to the pursuits of the farm. The remuneration which I received for a few weeks' lahour enabled me to defray the expenses of a journey to college, and meet incipient expenses there. I did not complain, though compelled to make a thanksgiving dinner on bread and milk. The object I had in view made me willing to submit to any measure of privation which would ensure ultimate success."

What object is here meant has been already brought to view. c < Secret and inviolable springs" early set his heart towards missionary labour. This purpose, sacredly cherished in the deep places of his soul, continued steadfast through his academic and professional studies, constantly animating and guiding his intellectual pursuits. The difficulty of meeting unavoidable expenses, during his first year in college, occasioned so much anxiety, that he often found it impossible to apply his mind to study as he wished.

" What adds to my perplexity/' he remarks, " is, that one of my intimate friends, in similar circumstances, has sunk under his increasing burden. We frequently associated and took sweet counsel together. We frequently encouraged each other, and mingled our prayers and tears before the throne of grace. Nothing now lies before me but a dreary, dubious struggle. Were it not that I am persuaded the hand of God has brought me thus far, and still points onward, I should seek a refuge in the bosom of my friends. When Hook forward I see nothing in this world but one continued scene of labour and trial. When will this distressing anxiety, this body of sin, and these dreary prospects be exchanged for the calmness, purity, and never-ending felicities of the upper world I"

While in college Mr. Munson united a uniform diligence in the several branches of his study with the prayerful cultivation of spiritual religion. His Christian graces, we have reason to believe, escaped that sad eclipse which so many pious students suffer on entering our public institutions. The following sketch of his intellectual and religious character, w T hile a resident at Brunswick, is furnished chiefly by a gentleman connected with Bow doin College, who was more intimately acquainted with Mr. Munson than any other member of the faculty.

"His intellectual character in college did not exhibit a decided superiority. He was a person of marked accuracy of judgment, more distinguished for this trait than for originality or imagination. To some extent, there was a want of quick discernment and comprehensive views of subjects. But although not rapid in the acquisition of knowledge, he compensated for this by his great perseverance, and a judicious application of his powers. He was a patient student, and was unwilling to leave a subject without understanding it. He might be distinguished by that invaluable quality, common sense, and insight into the proprieties of time and place, which rendered his efforts available more than they would otherwise have been.

" There was much of decision in his character, and that decision which was ever ready for action. Not that he was rash, or headstrong, or adventuresome. On the contrary, he was a cautious man, not hasty in forming his determinations, but when he saw the way in which duty called him to go forward, he was ready to obey the summons.

"He was of a contemplative cast of mind, prone to think long and intensely on the wretchedness of his fellow men, and highly susceptible of emotions of pity and compassion. When he looked on the degradation and wretchedness of those who dwell in lands of darkness and cruelty, his eye affected his hetrt, and there arose within him strong desires

SAMUEL MITNSON. 21

and resolute purposes to go to their relief. Few, perhaps, have in stronger exercise, that faith in God, and those desires for usefulness, which adopt at once the language, ' Here am I, send me.'

" His religious character was well developed when in college. Every one saw in him one living under the influence of the Gospel. His deportment was serious, his feelings kind and equable, his discharge of duty conscientious, his spirit prayerful with a a deep and abiding sense of obligation to his God and Saviour. There was not one of his associates who, in looking back on college life, must not be ready to acknowledge, that if any one of their number had the traits of the devoted missionary, Munson was that individual. His conscientiousness was very apparent, and was evinced by his close attention to all the studies of the college course, because they were required, when, had he followed his own inclination on the subject, as did some of his pious associates at that time, he would have attended more fully to some to the neglect of others. He always appeared to me as a fine specimen of one making the best use of his powers, and improving to the utmost, his time and opportunities to acquire useful knowledge. He was modest and unassuming in his manners, with a slight tinge of melancholy in his appearance, which was perhaps constitutional."

To do good and to communicate was Mr. Munson's practice and pleasure. Without infringing on the stated duties of college, he gathered a Sabbath School two and a half miles distant. Its growing prosperity evinced his faithfulness and skill. The sick and wretched were not unfrequently cheered by his visits.

After listening to a missionary sermon, preached to the students by Rev. Mr. Stewart, of the Sandwich Island mission, he longed " to fly as a herald of the Cross, to those benighted ones." But recollecting his situation, he says, "While I thank the Lord for the past, and pray for future success, may I inquire, c Lord what w r ilt thou have me to do V "

While his associates could not fail to observe his growing excellence as a scholar and a Christian, the consciousness of painful deficiencies in both respects, induced him to " fear that his future usefulness would be very limited." " My soul," he says, " is still disordered and sick. My spiritual joys are withered ! O Lord, revive thy work in my heart !"

The train of college studies, from which Mr. M. had gained solid and extensive benefit, closed in the year 1829.

Chapter II

His professional studies at Andover — Attendance on Medical Lectures in Boston and Brunswick — Connection with the Missionary Society of Barnstable County — Marriage.

On entering the Seminary at Andover, hundreds have experienced a sacred and unutterable pleasure, springing partly from intercourse with congenial spirits, and partly from such engagements as promote a thorough knowledge of divine truth and the growth of spiritual religion.

An additional source of happiness and improvement is opened before one who aspires to the function of a Christian missionary. He enters the rooms where Mills and Hall, with their associates, wept and prayed together. He reads the weighty and solemn arguments by which those servants of God enforced the claims of the heathen. He is assured by many witnesses, that those sons of Andover who embarked in the first missions from America, aim to be " examples in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." He also holds daily interviews with those few, who, like himself, intend to l preach Christ' in some distant field of pollution and wretchedness. Thus the fire which was perhaps almost quenched in college, is fanned to a flame, and the whole character displays, in a short time, a happy and decisive improvement.

No part of the prescribed course of studies, and no opportunities for making useful acquisitions were neglected by the subject of this sketch. Few of his class-mates knew at the time, with what diligence he explored the field of biblical knowledge, and preserved in writing the results of his inquiries. Several small volumes of MSS. written at this period, evince that he purposed to be " a scribe, well instructed into the kingdom of heaven." The following remarks of one in all respects well qualified to judge, will doubtless be pronounced strictly just by those who knew Mr. Munson at Andover. 1 Of our lamented brother I entertained a very high opinion from the time of our first acquaintance; and the more intimate I became with him the higher this opinion rose. Though possessed of very strong feelings, his natual temperament was phlegmatic, rather than sanguine. He had a sound judgment, an unusual share of prudence, a good knowledge of human nature, and a well disciplined and an uncommonly well balanced mind. As a student he was diligent and thorough. His talents were highly respectable, — solid rather than showy.

" The moral excellencies of brother Munson were many. His piety was ardent and deep toned, exerting upon his whole character a controlling influ-

S A 1 t E L MTJNSON. 25

ence. He had a good degree of zeal, and it was well tempered and well directed by knowledge. To sum up all, in a single expression, his character was beautifully symmetrical.*'

The habit of being punctual and systematic, which he carefully maintained, enabled him to cultivate several branches of study which, by not a few, are entirely dropped on leaving college. In whatever quarter his researches were directed, the commanding motive was the same, — the highest possible usefulness as an ambassador of Christ to the heathen. Whether exploring the difficulties of the sacred text, or the field of physical science, H The love of Christ constrained him." It was his firm belief, that the minister and the missionary should be the last men to grow remiss in stated efforts to invigorate and enrich their minds. That his practice to the close of life coincided with this conviction is certain.

We have already noticed some of the early indications that the Lord of the harvest designed Mr. Munson should devote himself to the foreign service. At Andover the subject of his prayers and hopes for several years called for a new and solemn consideration. The following extracts from a letter to one whom he could address "without restraint/ present one of those trains of thought which brought him to a final determination.

" I find in myself a mixture of feelings which it 3 is difficult to analyze. There is a novelty connected with the missionary life, — a voyage across the ocean,— a tour perhaps among the ruins of ancient Greece, or a visit to the land which was the theatre of our Saviour's mission and the city over whicli he wept,— or perhaps an abode in some remote yet beautiful island in the Pacific, where nature has lent all her charms to give elegance and enchantment to her luxuries ; such prospects connected with the success that has attended the missionary effort, and the urgent call for more labourers, have at times so wrought upon my feelings, that I have thought I could stay here no longer. Yet such a spirit is as different from the true missionary spirit, as light from darkness. It would wither before toils and sufferings, like the blighted blossom in the noon-day sun. It is the ardour of youth, instead of the spirit of Christ. It is a creature of self, instead of that which seeketh not her own. Such feelings then must be banished. "It is sometimes supposed, that if an individual has a willingness or desire to devote himself to the missionary work, it is of course his duty. If he could be satisfied that the desire originated from the special Providence of God, he might safely yield to it. If an inclination to become a missionary is, of itself, sufficient evidence of duty, then the want of such an inclination will, with equal certainty, excuse one.

li But it is often said to theological students, ' You dare not examine the subject, lest you should be convinced that it is your duty to go to th^ heathen.' There can be no doubt there are ministers settled in New England who, had they impartially examined the subject, would now have been in heathen lands. And perhaps others among the heathen had they done ihe same, would now have been in New England. Not that a warm attachment to missions is to be disregarded ; but it is not of itself a satisfactory evidence of duty.

" I have been fully convinced of late, that in order to find any truth, we must first get into the path that leads directly to it, and then divest ourselves of those partialities and prejudices which would divert us from that path. This is a task of no ordinary magnitude ; but it must be done. The first point that presents itself for our consideration, is the comparative claims of our own country and the heathen. The papulation of New England is 1,803,000. In this population there are, of all denominations, about 18G0 ministers; or one to every thousand inhabitants. In the United States there are perhaps four millions, out of the twelve millions, destitute of the means of grace. But among those four millions are employed about four hundred missionaries, or one missionary to every ten thousand souls. But the whole number of missionaries sent from this country to the five hundred millions of perishing heathen does not exceed seventy ; and the number of missionaries from all Christendom now employed among the heathen does not exceed five hundred, or 5 one missionary to a million of souls. The most destitute parts of the United States, compared with the heathen have, at this moment, a supply of ten to one. From four hundred and twenty-two students that graduated from this seminary previous to the year 1827, thirtythree have become foreign missionaries : i. e. less than one twelfth of the whole number ; or, while eleven have been retained to supply the waste places in our own country, one has been sent to the heathen ! And yet this institution, by way of eminence, has been called the Foreign Mission Seminary ; because it has sent out more missionaries than any other institution in the land. These facts show that theological students, in general, have not imitated the first missionary to the Gentiles, who strove < to preach the Gospel where Christ had not been named, lest he should build upon another man's foundation.'

"It is often said that our own country ought first to be cultivated, and then there will be time enough to send missionaries abroad. Such objections I have carefully considered. Facts contradict them. When has the church ever done so much to spread the gospel at home, as since the establishment of Foreign Missions? A common enquiry, to be be sure, but one that cannot be too often repeated."

Having made his election among the various spheres of Christian benevolence, before Him who is the witness and the judge of all things, Mr. Muhson was not to be diverted from his course. The question was settled. From that time no one suspected that he was a victim of the wretchedness and imbecility that always cleave to "a doubleminded man,"

The very imperfect journal which Mr. Munson kept at this period, supplies a few notices in respect to his religious experience, which, in the judgment of most persons, it were wrong to omit in this sketch.

"Jan. 16, 1831. — Detained from the house of God to-day by ill health; had my customary seasons of special prayer for the promotion of Christ's kingdom among the heathen ; remembered with special interest the Chinese mission ; was enabled to pray with unusual earnestness for our dear brethren labouring there : while I looked over the dark empire, my soul went out after God, nesting on his unfailing promises for the salvation of those bewildered millions.

" 30th. — Have spent the day far from God — cold, lifeless ; one favourable symptom ; I think my soul does begin to mourn. Blessed Saviour, feed my soul with the bread of life.

"March 1st. — Spent the day in secret fasting and prayer ; read with deep interest the 11th of Matthew.

"March 2d. — Fell into a foolish dispute respecting the propriety of excluding a man from the church who would not abstain from ardent spirits ; I gained my point, but suffered an abatement of good feeling ; have enjoyed some comfortable views of Christ as a Saviour, for which I owe him everlasting gratitude.

" March 3d. — Had a sweet season of prayer this morning; could scarcely utter any language but that of praise.

" April 1st. — Have been trying to recollect some of my c easily besetting sins ;' something must be radically wrong : surely this stupidity, this utter indifference, which so often takes possession of my heart, cannot be without a cause. Excessive levity is one fault against which I need particularly to guard ; with that I am resolved to proclaim hostilities ; the Lord help a worm to gain thee victory.

"Dec. 7th, 1831.— Tome this has been a day of solemn interest; it has been set apart by my classmates as a day of fasting and prayer ; it is the day appointed by the faculty to give us license to preach ; a season most fit to throw my thoughts back on the past ; I will tell the story of my trials and deliverances to Jesus, and mingle it with my praises.

" It is almost nine years since I indulged a hope in Christ, and more than eight since I quit the farm, bade adieu to my friends, and commenced a course of preparation for the ministry. The record of my life is kept above, but the mercies of God are too deeply graven on my memory to be forgotten. All along has he sustained me. Through my preparatory studies — through college — in trial — in suffering — in temptation and in toil has he been a present helper.

" At length he has brought me so near the attainment of my object; blessed be his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise the Lord.

" Without solicitude for the future, again I cast myself, blessed Saviour, upon thy protection, and in my future life may I not claim that precious promise c Lo, I am with you always V n

Mr. Munson's first sermon in the chapel of the seminary, from John viii : 34, produced an impression, it is believed, uncommonly deep and salutary. The Society of Inquiry, and the Committee on Foreign Missions in particular, always found him at his post,-— an associate on whose sound judgment and abiding zeal it was safe to rely. His remarks and addresses, especially on taking leave of the society, as their president, were characterized by a power and unction which bespoke the lofty aim and the fervent love of a true missionary. Both in his public exercises, and in those solemn interviews which were designed to call the attention of particular persons to the wants of the heathen, it was evident that he spake "out of the abundance of the heart."

The greater part of the year after he left Andover, Mr. Munson devoted to the study of medicine in Boston and Brunswick ; the prudential committee of the Board deeming some knowledge of the healing art highly important to a missionary in the East. At Brunswick, those who had known him while a member of college, noticed the striking progress, intellectual and spiritual, which he had made at Andover.

Congregations in the vicinity, among which he spent his Sabbaths, will not soon forget his persuasive appeals in behalf of the heathen. His discourses on this subject commenced with the discussion of some evangelical doctrine, which was then shown to authorize and imperatively demand, systematic, unremitted efforts for the salvation of men. As his own experience had taught him the dependence of a ruined sinner on the sovereign mercy of God, he strove to cherish in the minds of Christians, the belief that without " the spirit that quickeneth," the wisest plans and the most abundant labours must utterly fail to bring a single pagan to the knowledge of the truth.

Just before his embarkation, Mr. Munson preached a sermon from Acts viii : 4, which was published by the Board as one of their '•' Missionary Papers." This eloquent tribute to the "spirit of primitive

Christianity," shows that its author delighted to commune with primitive saints, of whom it has been said, " To suffer and to love was their taste."

Like them he expected soon to encounter sharp trials, and to stand in need of the same strength that was made perfect in their weekness.

The friends of missions in Barnstable County, Mass., where Mr. Munson had spent several weeks in the service of the Board, and where he was ordained, proposed to become responsible for his support while engaged in missionary labours. An arrangement for this purpose was accordingly made with the parent society by the auxiliary of that county. This proof of Christian confidence produced a happy effect on Mr. Munson's mind, and the correspondence which he maintained with that society, confirmed their interest in him, and the cause to which they were pledged.

Shortly after his marriage with Miss Abby Johnson, of Brunswick, Maine, Mr. Munson was summoned to Boston, to be in readiness for his embarkation.

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Chapter III

Early life of Henry Lyrnan — His character on entering college— Conversion — Consequent improvement in scholarship — Interest in Missions.