and our gratification in the termination or resided under, the British Govern-
of the contest would be less chequered ment or its officers. Correspondence to
than we confess it is with retrospective
self-reproaches.
But be these things as they may, we hope and believe that He who orders the unruly wills and affections of men, and often brings good out of evil, will overrule the late events to his own glory and the welfare of mankind. Affghanistan is a barbarous and Pagan land-though the treatment of the captives, and some other circumstances, have shewn more of civilization and self-control than its rude people were believed to have attained to and if even our hostile connection with it shall lead in the end to the peaceful relations of commerce, and the introduction of the Gospel of salvation, the result may be the opening an inlet to light and truth to the whole of the wild regions of central and northern Asia. The case of China is still more auspicious. Its strong-holds are broken down; its wall of brass is razed; its gulf of separation from European intercourse is bridged over; for besides the twenty-one millions of hard dollars which are to flow into the British treasury-alas, the price of much blood !the treaty contains the following important provisions:- " Lasting peace and friendship between the two empires. The ports of Canton, Amoy, Foochow-foo, Ningpoo, and Shanghai, to be thrown open to British merchants; consular officers to be appointed to reside at them; and regular and just tariffs of import and export (as well as inland transit) to be established and published. The island of Hong Kong to be ceded in perpetuity to Her Britannic Majesty, her heirs and successors. All subjects of Her Britannic Majesty (whether natives of Europe or India), who may be confined in any part of the Chinese empire, to be unconditionally released. An act of full and entire amnesty to be published by the Emperor, under his imperial sign manual and seal, to all Chinese subjects, on account of their having held service, or intercourse with,
be conducted on terms of perfect equality
amongst the officers of both Govern-
ments."
- Who but must hope, and confidently
believe, that these pacific inlets to the
vast empire of China, will be the means
of facilitating the introduction among
an immense body of our fellow-men
hitherto segregated from intercourse
with Christendom, the arts and the
commerce of the most enlightened na-
tions; and with them, both incidentally
and directly, the Holy Scriptures and
the instructions of Christian teachers.
If we have terrified and subdued this
populous nation by our bombs and
rockets, our steam-vessels and men-of-
war, let us now try to benefit them by
more blessed enterprises. The merchant
and manufacturer are already freighting
out their cargoes for speculative ven-
tures; let the Christian and the philan-
thropist not linger behind them. We
have taught all Asia, if not to love us,
at least to dread us; if not to feel any
prepossession for our professed, though
often abused, religion, at least to ac-
knowledge our power, and to confide in
our truthfulness and honour; let us now
shew that we are a nation of Christians;
and that Christians are not what they
call us, "devils;" but servants of the
Prince of Peace, whose duty and privi-
lege it is to endeavour to extend the
pacific and beatifying reign of their
Divine Lord, over all lands. China is
still entrenched in prejudices, and to
man's unaided efforts still impervious to
the heartfelt reception of the Gospel;
but so is the soul of every man by na-
ture; but in reliance upon the promise,
and in performance of the command, of
the Saviour, we ought to address our-
selves to the work, for we know that the
kingdoms of this world shall become the
kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ,
and he shall reign for ever and ever
King of kings and Lord of lords ;
Hallelujah, Amen !
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.
C. L.; S.B.; H. W.; W. C.; A Low Churchman ; Πιστις ; H.; A Sincere
Friend and Well-wisher; A Constant Reader; A Layman; H. S.; J. E.;
Liberalis; J. C.; and J. M.; are under consideration.
In reply to numerous letters, we again notify that correspondents whose inquiries
can be best answered by post, should send their address. Why be at the trouble
and expence of printing, and forcing numerous readers to purchase and peruse,
a private notification, which the post-office would deliver for a penny?