Mr. Howland preached a very appropriate sermon from Rev. i. 7, on the coming of Christ to judgment. He dwelt upon the manner, the time, and the consequences of his coming, in such a way as to make a very deep impression upon all Mr. Poor administered the zeal have given them a name among the the kind that Mr. and Mrs. Sanders were people of that district, as Christians in permitted to attend. L. Leisching, Esq., very deed. Others in the congregation the magistrate of Point Pedro, was also wish to join the church; and if they with us the whole day. continue to do well, I see not how I can much longer decline receiving them. Nearly all the people of the congregations in that quarter are employed in the government salt works; and labor in them is performed on the Sabbath, as on other days. Our people petitioned the present. Collector for the suspension of all work bread, and Mr. Smith the wine. Mr. on that day. He declined, on the ground Poor's address was mostly in English, that the majority of the laborers were for the sake of those present who could heathen; but he directed that Christians not understand Tamil. His whole soul should not be compelled to work on the was thrown into his subject; and the Sabbath. Our people should have ac- manner in which he welcomed our newly cepted this modification, looking to God arrived brother and sister to their field of for help in whatever trouble they might labor, drew tears from every eye. We be involved; but they pleaded that their all found it good to be there. part of the work was so connected with that of the others, that if they alone In a previous communication Mr. Meigs has rested on that day, the business would spoken of the interest manifested by the people soon be so managed as to throw them of Mavittapuram. He now writes as follows: out of employment. But our people at Owing to the number that crowd Sevalputty, a few months since, determined that they would not work on the been permitted by my brethren to enlarge our meetings at Mavittapuram, I have Sabbath, and refused to go when called. the school bungalow. The repairs were Our people at Faraccoody have since finished in May; and on the last day of followed their example. This move- that month we held an evening meeting. ment among them, from all that I can Mr. Spaulding kindly came to my assistlearn, appears to be the work of God's ance. Mr. Burnell was also present, Spirit operating through the truth. It with Henry Pole, Esq. of Mallagam, and may meet counteracting influences; and several native assistants from other stavery likely it will meet them; but let us tions. The great bungalow was not only trust in the Lord. If he will bless such filled to overflowing, but I counted sixty means as we can employ for promoting persons in front of the building, who his cause, we need not fear. Ceylon. LETTER FROM MR. MEIGS, JULY 3, 1852. THE present communication of Mr. Meigs contains a few disconnected incidents, which show that the blessing of the Lord is still vouchsafed to our brethren of the Ceylon mission. Quarterly Communion-Mavittapuram. could not gain admittance. Nathaniel Niles and Azel Backus, who labored at this station twenty-five years ago, addressed the audience with great power and with overflowing hearts, in view of the great change which they witnessed in this village. They described the manner in which they were then received, when the people reviled them, and tore up the tracts they gave them, and threw them in their faces. Now they were addressing a most attentive audience of nearly four hundred persons. Temperance-A Sabbath at Tillipally. In the following extract, Mr. Meigs describes a temperance meeting held at a village, which lies six miles east of Tillipally. Our quarterly communion was held at Tillipally on the 8th of April. The day was pleasant; and the audience, unusually large, manifested by their fixed attention how much they were interested in the exercises. The number of our native members in attendance was also On the 28th of June, near the time of larger than usual; and I was particularly the full moon, Mr. Spaulding, Mr. Leispleased to see quite a number of the ching, myself and several of our native most respectable people in Tillipally assistants, went to Atchuvaly, and had present, and that without any special the pleasure of meeting about five huninvitation. It was the first meeting of dred people. We were not confined to the subject of temperance; but we had there are some things which he feels at liberty to a strictly religious meeting, opened and mention now. closed with prayer. We urged upon prayers, and the manner in which they our hearers the importance of combining the church have been greatly revived by 1. Several of the leading members of to put away evils of every kind from among them, such as idolatry, lying, in- this outpouring of the Spirit. This is temperance, adultery, stealing, bribery. very manifest in their conversation, their They were very attentive, though we addressed them for about two hours. They are anxious to have the mission premises repaired; and they assure us of their willingness to give according to their means for the accomplishment of congregations on the Sabbath, both in this object. Men are learning by such meetings that the missionaries are their best friends, and are becoming accustomed to assemble in great numbers to hear the gospel preached. Mr. Meigs next gives an account of the Sabbath services at Tillipally on the 9th of May. "In the morning," he says, (6 we have a Sabbath school at eight o'clock for all the children connected with the station, to the number of nearly four hundred, at the close of which one of my native assistants addresses them. The children are then dismissed to their homes, with the exception of the lads in the English school and the select girls' school at the station, who remain for the second meeting, which is held at half past ten, and is attended by as many adults as we can induce to come." He then proceeds as follows: the church and in the village chapel. 3. Three school-masters, and two others who were formerly teachers, profess to have experienced a change of heart, and are very desirous of becoming members of the church. Several of the larger girls in the school at the station give more or less evidence of having passed from death unto life; but their parents are very unwilling to have them baptized, lest it should injure their prospect of a settlement in life among their own people. Some of the lads in the English school have appeared to be deeply impressed by the power of truth; but as to the real conversion of any of them, I have but little evidence. Time will show. 4. Some of the head-men of the parish, who have recently attended the On the 9th of May two hundred as- church with considerable regularity, have sembled in our church, which is more proved to be "stony ground hearers," than our usual number, several having and fear to bear any reproach for the met with us on account of the presence sake of the gospel of Christ. Some have of Messrs. Pole and Leisching. I wholly ceased to attend church on the preached from 1 Cor. v., on the subject Sabbath; and others come only occasionof excommunication. This season of ally. Still they will attend our meetings refreshing has shown most clearly who in the villages. in the church "are on the Lord's side," and who are unworthy members. By a unanimous vote of the church, on the preceding Friday, six members had been excommunicated, some of them having been long suspended from the privileges of Christ's house. This vote of the church, and the names of the excommunicated members, were publicly read on this occasion; and the object of the discipline was distinctly stated. We have reason to hope that the measure will be attended with salutary effects upon those that remain, as well as upon the people around us. They will thus see more clearly the nature of the Christian religion. Recent Progress. Mr. Meigs says that it is hardly time to speak of the results of the season of refreshing which has been recently enjoyed at Tillipally; but Mr. Meigs states that the families of which Timothy Dwight is the head, and which have been opposed to the mission for many years, are greatly changed; and they appear to be very friendly, frequently going to church Sabbath mornings, and also to the village chapel in the afternoon. "This is one of the fruits," Mr. Meigs remarks, " of the awakening among us. I have had very serious and interesting conversations with them all; and their feelings towards us are much changed for the better." Fub-chau. LETTER FROM MR. JOHNSON, JULY 1, 1852. Messrs. Baldwin and Cummings. IN reporting the history of the Fuh-chau mission, during the first six months of the present year, ment. His brother-in-law had been imprisoned, because of his connection with the Rev. Mr. Welton, whose trials in this particular will be described hereafter. Mr. Johnson describes the labors of each brother | should render himself obnoxious to the governseparately. On account of ill health, Mr. Bald-ment, if he remained in Mr. Doolittle's employwin was absent from his post about three months; but the friends of missions will be glad to learn that he has returned to his duties much better than he had previously been. On the Sabbath he has a catechetical exercise at his house; and he also distributes tracts, and has religious conversation with the Chinese. At other times he occasionally "He performs this service in the temples, &c. In March Mr. Doolittle succeeded in In giving an account of his own labors, Mr. Johnson writes as follows: obtaining a site for a chapel and schoolroom, in a convenient and eligible location. It is about forty rods north of his house, on the main street, leading from Ato to the city. A chapel has since been erected; and on the 27th of May Within the last half year Mr. Cum-he commenced religious exercises in mings has erected a chapel on the main Chinese, accompanied by the distribution street, near his private residence, which of tracts and portions of Scripture. promises to be a very favorable place for preaching. On the Sabbath he has had a public service in the basement of his house, whenever the weather would permit. The number present has been fluctuating, owing to the unfavorable weather. He has also a biblical exercise with his teachers and domestics; and when he could have no service below, he has made extended remarks on personal religion. His school has suffered somewhat from the excitement which has prevailed in relation to foreigners and in connection with local causes; but it is now slowly increasing. The presented to one hundred and fifty. In most number of pupils is eighteen. Messrs. Cummings and Baldwin continue to itinerate weekly in the village, when the weather I have had regular Chinese services in my chapel on the Sabbath, except in a few instances, when my health and voice were too feeble. The number in attendance has been variable; but I think there were seldom less than thirty or forty present during the exercises; and, including all who in the course of the service have come in and gone out, some stopping only a few moments, my hearers have more generally, I suppose, amount cases I have been favored with a considerable number of apparently interested and attentive hearers. The services in the chapel on the will allow. How much encouragement they find Sabbath have ordinarily been closed in their labors, does not appear. Messrs. Doolittle and Johnson. with prayer, during which there is often a more than usual silence. There is something in this exercise which seems On the 8th of March Mr. Doolittle to strike the heathen mind with a degree opened a boys' school in an apartment of awe. After prayer I frequently take connected with Mr. Johnson's chapel, occasion to make some remarks upon the The teacher was a resident in the nature and duty of this service. During neighborhood, and had previously been the first part of the last six months I employed in the same work. It was visited my chapel three or four times probably owing to this circumstance that weekly, besides the Sabbath; but afterin a short time he succeeded in collect- wards I went less frequently. Probably ing a school of more than thirty boys, my average week-day visits have not quite a number of whom had made con- exceeded two. siderable progress in the acquisition of the written character, and were able to understand and explain our books to a gratifying extent. The remainder were not dull pupils. Mr. Doolittle, soon after the opening of his school, commenced public exercises in Chinese in the basement of his house, attended by his school, his family, and all others who chose to be present. Besides distributing tracts and portions of the Bible in my chapel, I have taken occasion, in connection with my walks and at other times, to perform the same service in shops and private families, generally leaving a single tract wherever it seemed probable that there was a reader. In this method the inmates of a large number of dwellings have been furnished with the means of becoming acquainted with the way of But this school was brought to a close in life. Works thus scattered are generally April, the teacher having become afraid that he received with pleasure; and it has seemed to be a better mode of tract distribution than that of giving them out freely in our chapels, or delivering them to the multitude in the street. Mr. Peet's Labors-An aged Helper. Of Mr. Peet's operations the following sketch is given: Near the close of last year a fire broke out in the neighborhood of Mr. Peet's chapel; and it was broken into and plundered of almost every thing except the frame. The ground adjoining it was rented soon afterward; and a room was fitted up, which is convenient for tract distribution and speaking to the people. His design is to visit it daily. His day school for boys has been continued with but little interruption. The average number of pupils is about twenty-five. He has been in the habit of daily visiting it, and hearing the boys recite a portion of one of the Gospels, and also from the Chinese classics. Each scholar receives about two cents weekly to purchase books and stationery, provided there are no absences marked against him. After seven days' absence the weekly allowance is withheld for a week. doctrine, and exposing the folly of idolatrous worship; though at first he seemed somewhat embarrassed, on being accused by his countrymen of having cast off his religion, and especially the worship of his ancestors. He professes to pray to that there is a considerable number in the true God twice a day; and he thinks Fuh-chau who are secretly convinced of the truth of Christianity, but are not willing to acknowledge it openly, through fear of ridicule or the loss of some temporal advantage. He has reported two individuals as sincere inquirers, whom, with himself, Mr. Peet soon hopes to form into a class of catechumens, with a view to their more thorough instruction in Christian doctrine. Mr. Peet feels much encouraged by the apparently increasing spirit of inquiry in the busy street, where he has labored for more than two years. His efforts for that people have much endeared them to his heart. The ruins of the fire have been repaired; and business has resumed its regular course. The merchants, mechanics and bankers of the neighborhood have recently, in more than usual numbers, called at his chapel; and many have asked for tracts for their families in the country. Judging from what he has seen within a few months past, he cannot but hope that God will visit this scene of his labors with the out-pouring of his Spirit at no distant day. Hinderances from the Government. Mr. Johnson next adverts to the obstacles On the Sabbath he has three exercises in Chinese. One is at the school-room in the morning, when he expounds a chapter in one of the Gospels, his audience consisting of his teachers, scholars, and a few others who are induced to attend by particular invitation, there being from thirty-five to forty in all. The sec-which have been thrown in the way of two ond exercise is held at his chapel about mid-day, when he endeavors to set forth the cardinal doctrines of the gospel, such as the character of the true God, in opposition to false gods, the character and offices of Christ, the nature of the soul, &c. The number coming in and going out, during the service, sometimes does not exceed eight or ten; and at other times it amounts to one hundred and fifty or two hundred. The third exercise is catechetical, for the benefit of the school. other missionary societies by the Chinese. It is to be hoped that the Lord will soon incline the hearts of this idolatrous people to listen to and love his own blessed Word. Allusion has already been made to difficulties arising from the unfriendly action of the government. Our brethren of the Methodist mission, Messrs. Colder and Wiley, have not yet been allowed to build, though it is nearly a year since a lot was obtained. The materials of a house, long since prepared for Some months since Mr. Pect engaged raising, they have not yet been permitted an aged man (formerly employed by my- to bring to the ground, owing apparently self, first as a private teacher, and subse- to the opposition of their neighbors, quently as a school-master) to take care which the government has not thought of the chapel, and assist in maintaining fit to overawe or crush. They have also order. While Mr. Peet is conversing encountered serious difficulties in making with the people, the old teacher stands improvements upon a house, built long by his side in the desk, and distributes since by the mission, in the same neightracts. He has been found a valuable borhood. After these improvements had assistant in this work, in the way of been nearly finished, there were threats answering inquirers regarding Christian of tearing down the house, unless a pres of ent should be made to the people. To ventured to engage as teachers schools, within the walls and under the It is said that the opposition, in this instance, arises in part from the fact that the landlord of our Methodist brethren is not willing fully to comply with the demands of his neighbors for money. may not be emboldened to take, unless it shall soon be checked by some decided and energetic remonstrance from a Christian power. As yet, however, our mission has not been interrupted in the preaching of the gospel, or in the distribution of the printed page. A general panic, in consequence of this outrage, prevailed among our Chinese teachers; and they all left us for different periods of time, some of them havbeen the purpose of the government to ing not yet returned. Probably it has make such an example of the two men just mentioned, as will strike terror into But the opposition of the government the hearts of Chinese students, at least to missionary efforts has been more in the city, and deter them from aiding signally and painfully manifest in the us. And it is difficult to say to what history of Mr. Welton, of the Church oppressive measures the government Missionary Society; for he has been prohibited from fitting up for a dispensary a building in the city proper, obtained for that purpose nearly two years since; and two natives, whom he had engaged to teach day schools on his private premises, have been seized and imprisoned. This took place early in April last. Their release was demanded by the British Vice-consul, Mr. Walker, on the ground of their having been in the service of an English subject. But the utmost that he could do for them, was to effect some mitigation of their sufferings, by obtaining their removal to less miserable quarters. They are prisoners still, awaiting they know not what. Their sufferings from scourging, &c., are reported as great. One of them has been accused of criminal conduct; there is little doubt, however, that their only crime consists in their having The concluding paragraph of Mr. Johnson's letter is as follows: "The government is evidently weak. Discontent is increasing; and there is not a little reason for apprehending that the days of the present dynasty may be nearly numbered. Should it fall to the ground, a season of anarchy must probably ensue. It behooves the people of God, therefore, faithfully to improve their present opportunities for the promulgation of the glorious gospel in China. Let us all pray that God will so order events in this great empire, as most to favor the advancement of truth and righteousness, with the glory of his holy name!" Miscellanics. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. Information respecting the History, Condition and The Commissioner of Indian Affairs has kindly sent this volume to the library of the Board; its predecessor having been already received from the same hand for the same destination. A brief notice of the latter was published in the Herald for May, 1851. The present volume is printed and illustrated in a style of equal beauty and costliness. In fact, it does honor to the typographic art in our country. In other respects Part II. may be regarded as in advance of Part I. Its contributions to the history of the Indian race are more important and more valuable. It takes us through a wide range of topics; it sheds light on many questions of very great interest; and though its essays are often fragmentary, the defect is unavoidable. The plan contemplates nothing more; for in this series of volumes we are only to expect "infor mation respecting the history, condition and prospects of the Indian tribes." To other works, prepared by other minds, we must look for the ultimate philosophy of the whole. The following analysis will convey some idea of the variety of subjects discussed and illustrated in this volume. First we have General History, including "track of migration," "dis |