PREFACE. In introducing the 7th Volume of the American Baptist Magazine to the publick, it is proper to remark, that a change in the proprietorship of the work will take place with the commencement of the year 1827. The reasons for this change are briefly as follows: Upon the removal of the seat of the Board of Managers of the General Convention to Boston, it became evident that the interests of the Missions under their charge could not be successfully promoted except through the medium of a periodical work, for whose statements they were responsible, and of which the profits were in part, at least, devoted to the Missionary Treasury. It immediately occurred to the Board that an arrangement might possibly be made with the Board of the Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, the then proprietors of the American Baptist Magazine, by which a transfer of that work might be effected on terms equally advantageous to both; and thus the great objects of Foreign and Domestick Missions be made mutually to cooperate with each other in the pages of the same publication. A proposition of this sort was made, and we are happy to add, was met in the spirit of most honorable christian liberality by the Board of the Massachusetts Missionary Society. The responsibility of the work will henceforth devolve upon the Board of Managers, and the nett proceeds arising from its publication will be divided between the Foreign and Domestick Missionary Societies. From this arrangement, the subscribers to the work will derive manifest advantage. Besides the usual proportion of biographical and didactic communications, and accounts of the Missionary operations of other religious denominations, the American Baptist Magazine will from this time contain The proceedings of the Board of Managers of the Baptist General Convention-The letters and journals of all the Missionary Stations under their care-Monthly accounts of Receipts into the Treasury-Accounts of the formation of Primary and Auxiliary Societies in every part of the United States—The correspondence of the Domestick Missionary Society-With a monthly list of its Donations, and all important information which may relate to the progress of theological education, and specially to the progress of the institution lately established at Newton. Availing themselves of these sources of information, it is the intention of the Board to render the Magazine deserving of that liberal and extensive support which it has heretofore enjoyed. They cannot, however, conclude without remarking that this work cannot accomplish all that is desirable for the cause of Christ without the zealous and strenuous co-operation of its friends. It is important that our brethren universally should become acquainted with the state of missionary exertion in general, and of that in our own denomination in particular. Until they be thus informed, it is in vain to expect of them an united and steadfast effort to spread the knowledge of the cross among the heathen. We will endeavour to render the American Baptist Magazine an interesting and profitable vehicle of such information. What we ask of our brethren abroad is, that they will assist us to give it circulation, and so far as it may be in their power enrich its pages by their communications. Late Missionary in Bengal, and Pastor of the Baptist Church, Circular Road, Calcutta. course, a great variety cannot be expected, yet there are some particulars in his character, life, and death, which by his friends are judged worthy of remembrance. From his earliest youth, he was possessed of a very vivid imagination: he never forgot the scenes of early life, as we may learn from these lines which he wrote in 1820. Haunts of my childhood. Now, though far away, Imperishable are those high-wrought lines Pencill'd with all the magic forms and stains Though indistinct, sports on the mental landscape. THE principal events which constitute the history of a nation are often few; those which form the history of an individual are fewer still. The life of Mr. Lawson may be summarily comprehended in a short space. He was born at Towbridge in Wiltshire, on the 24th of July, 1787, and remained at the same place till the year 1803; when he was removed to London, to gratify the strong propensity he felt to become an artist. Here, after being brought to a knowledge of the truth as it is Jesus, he was led to consecrate his There were two circumstances talents to the service of religion, that transpired, one in the days and to embark for India as a mis-o his youth, and the other in risionary, principally with the view of being useful in the arts. After having accomplished the chief work for which he came to this country, he was called to discharge the duties of a minister and a pastor; to which he devoted himself with a steady perseverance till the year 1825, when he died in the midst of his usefulness. Though in the history of a man pursuing such a per years, which gave full scope to the exercise of this discursive faculty: and which also gave a certain tinge to his character in after life; the one was the death of his mother, and the other the destruction of his father's property by fire. Although only about six years old when his mother died, he appears always to have retained the most distinct and lively impression of her person and excellent instructions. Mr. Lawson was early the subject of religious impressions, and from a child was made acquainted with the Holy Scriptures. These impressions were afterwards strengthened by the kind attentions of the master to whose care his education was intrusted. This gentleman (Mr. Westfield) often conversed with him, and prayed with him in the most serious and affectionate manner, which, under the divine blessing, produced an indelible effect on his mind, and for which he afterwards felt more grateful than for all his other favours. Under the care of a person with whom he felt himself at home, he soon began to manifest his prevailing genius. He commenced cutting different figures on pieces of wood, and without any assistance brought them to such perfection, that those who saw them were astonished, and convinced that the hand of nature had formed him for an artist. His father being made acquainted with this, and learning that nothing else would satisfy him, thought it prudent not to cross his inclination, and therefore went to London to seek out for him a suitable situation; and having succeeded in getting him articled to a woodengraver, returned home with a message that delighted the heart of his son. All necessary arrangements having been made, in June, 1803, he took leave of his friends at which time his father requested of him two things; the one was, to read his Bible, and the other to attend divine worship on the Sabbath; which he promised to do. He then received the parting benediction, quitted the place of his nativity, and entered the "great town," where to him all was new and surprising. After his arrival in London, he applied himself diligently to his work, and made rapid advances in the art. These labours of his occupation engaged his attention all || the week, and on the Sabbath days new scenes and new companions invited him to a kind of dissipation, to which before he had been unaccustomed. Allured by these specious baits, he forgot his proinise to his father, neglected to read his Bible, and seldom attended any place of worship In this course he continued for nearly three years, though not without many struggles of conscience. and resolutions to reform. In one of these serious intervals, he was led to read his neglected Bible, and to visit the forsaken chapel; and it pleased God by these means to convince him of his sins, and soon after to deepen these convictions by affliction, and at length to make him experimentally acquainted with the blessings of salvation. He then offered himself as a candidate to the church in Eaglestreet, of which the present Mr. Ivimey, the writer of The History of the English Baptists," and other works, was pastor; and the following is the substance of the statement, in his own words, which he made of himself to that Society, when, according to the custom of congregational churches, they required of him to give an account of his Christian experience, and his reasons for wishing to make a publick profession of religion. "Being highly favoured by the providence of God, I had the privilege and blessing of a religious education; which so far influenced me, that if my memory fail not, I was the subject of early convictions; but no lasting impression being made on my mind, I continued in a state of alienation from God.-In June, 1803, all necessary matters being arranged for my coming to London, my father, as I was about to take my leave of him, told me, he had put my Bible into the box, which he wished me, as I valued my eternal interests, to make my principal study; saying at the same time |