Pogoda is in Slavic mythology the name of a god of the spring and of fine weather. Pogoda is a pure
Slavic word, and means weather. He is supposed to have been of a kind and amiable disposition — the god of sunny weather, of bright skies, of smiling springs; yet the qualification of dobra (good) would seem to be necessary in such a case. The description given of his exterior appearance is perhaps still less authentic than that of his functions : young and beautiful, crowned with blue flowers, blue wings on his shoulders, clothed in a blue garment interwoven with silver, stretched on a bed of flowers resting quietly in the bright air. It is not likely that the Slaves one thousand years ago could have drawn such pictures of their gods.
Pohlman, William John, a missionary of the Re- formed (Dutch) Church, was born at Albany, N. Y., in 1812, of pious parents who belonged to the Lutheran Church. His father was of German descent. Converted at the age of sixteen, he united with the First Reformed Church of Albany, under the care of Dr. John Ludlow. Devoting himself to the Christian ministry, Pohlman studied three years at the Albany Academy, entered Rutgers College in 1832, graduated in 1834. and then entered the theological seminary at New Brunswick. While a student in this institution he consecrated him- self to the foreign missionary work. In August, 1836, he offered himself to the American Board of Commis- sioners for Foreign Missions, in a memorable letter, which concluded with these sentences : " I wish to en- list for life. If in your view I can be of any service, I lay my all at your feet. ' Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee.' Send me abroad to publish glad tidings to the idol-serving nations. Send me to the most desert part of all the howling wilder- nesses of heathenism, to the most barbarous climes, or to more civilized regions. Send me to the millions of pagans, to the followers of the felse prophet, to the Jews or the Gentiles, to Catholics or Protestants. Send me, in tine, wherever God opens an effectual door. Send me — ' for necessity is laid upon me ; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel' to the perishing hea- then." In this spirit he was sent to Borneo. He was ordained as an evangelist in April, 1838, by the Classis of Albany, and with his wife, a sister of the late Dr. John Scudder, the famous missionary to India, sailed for his field May 25. They arrived at the island of Java Sept. 10, and after a brief sojourn at Singapore went to Batavia, where they were compelled to remain a whole year before the Dutch government would per- mit them to go to Borneo. Meanwhile he studied the Malay language, which prepared him to hold intercourse with the people to whom he was sent. After the year expired he settled at Pontianak, in Borneo, and imme- diately began his missionary labors. Mrs. Pohlman died in 1845. She was a woman of like spirit with himself and with her brother — a devoted, intelligent, and laborious missionary's wife and sister. After six years of unremitting toils on this island, Mr. Pohlman was transferred to China in 1844, with the Rev. Elihu Duty, to establish the Amoy Mission, in connection with David Abeel, D.D. He had studied the Chinese language during his residence in Borneo, and so was the better prepared to do efficient work at once in his new field. For five years more he gave himself up un- reservedly to this noble service. Dr. Abeel's feeble health compelled his return to America in 1845, and he died in 1846. See Abeki., David. But the mission was planted under the most encouraging auspices. A church building was erected in Amoy, with funds from America, when there were but three communicant mem- bers of the mission. Three other distinct missionary churches, all of which are now self-sustaining, have swarmed out of this hive. Native preachers and help- ers have been raised up, and the mission has been long regarded as a model of evangelizing work in China. The strictly missionary work in Amoy is now at an end; and the churches there would doubtless live and grow and propagate Christianity, like those of ancient times, even if all American missionaries were withdrawn
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POIRET
from them. Such is tbefruil of the labors of Mr. Pohl- manand His valuable life
an.i laboi • - '''•'", by
Bhipwre. I "ii which he was bound from
i in.5,1849. Pirates attacked the
sinkin..' ship, I m "Mr. Pohlman sprang rrom the Bhip
ii ruling principl Mr.Pohl-
i , ive himself
rist, and to the world for Christ's sake.
i .11. was "totus in illi>." !!'• was
. frank, earnest, i nthusiastic, ami te-
. _i. .• in prosecuting bis good pur-
U is disposition was very cheerful. ll«- had no
. Bui with practical conn i-sense and in-
rgy and zeal, he lived and labored for the , ol Christ. His preaching, correspondence, an.l } >nl >1 1.- services glowed with this one spirit, which baa left it- permanent impress upon the mission and Church of which he was so conspicuous a servant (W.J. R. I.