Religious Miscellany.

No. 24.

"Say ye to the daughter of Zion, behold, thy salvation cometh "
CARLISLE, JULY 2, 1824.

MISSIONARY.

An Abstract from the London Missionary Re gister, for January, 1824. SURVEY

Of Protestant Missionary Stations throughout the world, in their Geographical order. Concluded from p 357.

INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO.

The following extracts will shew the provision making for the supply of the Scriptures to this division of our Survey.

"The Malay Bible, in the Arabic character, had been carried on as far as the book of Job, and is probably nearly completed.

SUMATRA.

Vol. III.

The most westerly of the Sunda Isles-1050 miles long, by 165 average breadth-Inhabitants, 3,000,000.

BENCOOLEN.

Or Fort Marlborough-on the southwest coast-the chief establishment of the East India Company on the Island.

Baptist Missionary Society-1819. Nath. M. Ward, W. Robinson, Missionaries.

Mr. Ward says, in a late communication-We have reason to think that the Spirit of God has already commenced a work of grace at our station, where, for ages, all has been apathy and death."

"The Sumatra Auxiliary has presented to the Baptist missionaries at Bencoolen the sum of 800 rupees, to enable them to print the Gospel of St.lishment of schools. John in the Malay."

In the schools there were 123 scho

lars; petitions had been received from six neighboring villages for the estab

We add an extract relative to Amboyna, from the Report of the Nether-miles lands Bible Society.

PADANG.

A Dutch settlement, about 300 northwest of Bencoolen. Baptist Missionary Society-1821. Charles Evans, Missionary. 'Preaching is regularly maintained every Sabbath, both in English and Malay; and Mr. Evans has opened a Native school, which already contains 17 pupils. Mrs. Evans was about to take some female children under her charge.'

"The Malay New Testament in the Roman character, is so widely circulating in the island of Amboyna, that although 10,000 copies had been forwarded thither by the British and Foreign Bible Society, and afterward a considerable number of copies of the whole Bible had been transmitted from the same source, yet the want Padang is considered to be the key is so great, and the applications so ur- to a large inland kingdom, named gent, that a new edition is now pre- Menancabow, which is, at present, raparing at Haerlem, of which the Ne-vaged by war, said to be carried on by therlands Bible Society has pledged an enterprising Native, with a view itself for 5000 copies, and the British to reform the manners of his countryand Foreign Bible Society for 1000 men, and restore Mahomedanism in copies of the New Testament and 500 its purity. of the whole Bible, when printed.'

Amboyna being favorably situated for intercourse with many groupes of islands around it, a Missionary Socie ty has been formed there.

SEBOLGA.

A village at the Bay of Tapanooly

about as far distant, northwest, from Padang, as that port is from Bencoolen-situated among the Battas.

370 Survey of Protestant Missionary Stations throughout the World.

'During the year 1821, Mr. Kam baptized 50 Heathens who had emA Dutch Island, between the sixth braced Christianity. On the 20th of and ninth degrees of south latitude- December, in the same year, he re600 miles long, by 95 average breadth ||ceived into his church about one hun! -population in 1815, estimated at dred new members, of whom several 4,396,611, of whom 81518 were Chi-had been idolaters, and one a Maho

A Dutch island, lying off the southbitants. west coast of Ceram--32 miles by 10 -in 1796, the inhabitants were 45,- One of the most southerly of the 252; of whom 17,813 were Protes-Friendly Islands--well cultivated and tants, and the rest chiefly Mahome- fertile-about 16 miles long by 8 at its greatest breadth.

>

A

Survey of Protestant Missionary Stations throughout the World.

GEORGIAN ISLANDS.

group of Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Otaheite, the principal island is in extent about 30 miles by 20-Eimeo, 10 by 5; and 20 northwest of Otaheite-Tetaroa, is a number of low inlets within a reef, 30 miles westward of north from Otaheite--Tapua manu is 6 miles long, and 30 west of Otaheite.

London Missionary Society-1797. The Directors have resolved to send out six additional laborers: while there are fresh openings for exertion, several of the Missionaries are advancing in age, and suffer under increasing infirmities.

The Mission in the chief island is sending forth Native teachers to oth

ers.

371

for baptism, 28-scholars, adults from 100 to 150-children, whose attendance, except on Sundays, is very irregular, from 50 to 200.

Burder's Point.-Total baptized, adults, 355, children, 300--communicants, 31; and many candidates.

Papara.-During the year, baptized 107 adults and 108 children, and received 32 communicants. Total baptized, including natives of several neighboring districts, adults 343, children, 321--communicants, 70--candidates for baptism 254--congregation on the Sabbath, usually about 1000--scholars, adults and children,

about 700.

Of the scholars it is stated by the Directors-"The progress of many is great, not only in reading the Scriptures, but in the right understanding of their meaning.'

The translation of the Scriptures was advancing. The Gospels of St. Matthew, St. Luke and St. John, were Of the regard to the Scriptures at in circulation, the Acts of the Apostles one station, applicable probably to the in the press, and the Epistles to the rest, it is said-It is highly gratifyRomans and Ephesians with eighting to learn, that the greatest possible Books of the Old Testament under revision.

The British and Foreign Bible Society had granted 200 Bibles and 500 Testaments, for circulation among the crews of the vessels touching at the different islands.

OTAHEITE.

STATIONS AND MISSIONARIES.

deference is paid by the natives to the authority of the Scriptures, as constituting the only standard of moral and religious truth. When,' says Mr. Darling, in a small circle of the people, any opinion which may be deemed new or strange is stated, it is speedily brought to the Missionary to be tried by the word of God: if it bea the trial, well; if not, it is rejected.?

Matavai; James Hayward, H. Nott, C. Wilson-Wilk's Harbour; W. P. The industry and civilization of the Crook--Burdar's Point; David Dar-people keep pace with their improveling-Papara; John Davies, T. Jones -Pirae; Elijah Armitage, T. Blossom, Artisans.

ment of the knowledge of divine things. Of one body of them the Directors say-The inhabitants of this Matavai.-During the year, baptiz- district have, at length, resolved ed 152 adults and 87 children, receiv-to erect for themselves convenient ed 41 communicants, and readmitted one. Total baptized, adults 264 children 137-communicants 75-candidates for baptism, 40-scholars, adults, about 250; children about 100.

Wilk's Harbour.-During the year, baptized 88 adults and 71 children.

dwelling houses; and, as far as po-sible, to furnish them in the European manuer. They had previously begun to dress in the English style.

EIMEO.

W. Henry, G. Platt, Missionaries. The foundation of a new chapel was Total baptized, adults 223-children laid on the 20th of February, 1822, in 193--communicants 73---candidates "the presence of the principal chefs of

S72 Suryvey of Protestant Missionary Stations throughout the World.

the island. It is to be built in an octagonal form of hewn coral rock.

In the year ending May 1822, there were 41 adults baptized and many children, and 15 admitted to the Lord's Supper.

London Missionary Society-1818.

HUAHEINE.

Charles Barff, Missionary.

From the Report of the Deputation, Messrs. Tyerman and Bennett, we collect the following statement rela

'The number of adults who have been baptized, is 693; of children, 344; there are 180 candidates for baptism.

The Native preaching is well at-tive to this Mission:tended: the people are attentive, and apparently, at times, much impressed with the services.' The people are building dwelling-The communicants are 54; eleven houses for themselves in the Europe- have died. There are 700 adults and an style, fencing and cultivating the 350 children in the schools; 360 read ground; boat-building and the manu- the New Testament; 300 write a good facture of useful articles of household hand, and all write a little; 90 cypher. furniture is also practiced. All the children attend a S. School.

PAUMOTU ISLANDS.

Moorea, Teraa, Native Teachers. These teachers, both Natives of the Paumotu Islands, were communicants in Otaheite, and were sent, at their own earnest desire, in the early part|| of 1822, on a mission to their own islands. They are stationed in the island of Anaa. Some inhabitants of that island arrived at Otaheite soon after, for the purpose of obtaining books and teachers: teachers having been sent, a supply of books was forwarded by them: they stated, that in the island of Anaa, Christianity had been universally embraced-that, in every district, a place had been built for the worship of the true God-that cannibalism and war had entirely ceased-and that all is now peace.

SOCIETY ISLANDS.

'Every thing around bears the marksof great improvement among the Natives; their enclosures, their plastered houses, their manners, and especially their dress. Indeed, on the Sabbath day, in the noble place of worship, the Chiefs, and great numbers of the principal people, were dressed quite in the English manner. We spent a delightful Sabbath here: there were not fewer than 1200 persons preser at each of the services.

RAIATEA.

L. E. Threlkeld, John Williams, Missionaries.

The Deputation speak highly of this mission. Of its religious state they say-'With much satisfaction we witnessed the baptism of one hundred and fifty persons on one day, making

up
the number of baptized about 1100:
leaving a remainder of persons in the
island, unbaptized, about 260. The
communicants are about 150.'

In point of civilization, Raiatea has made great advances.

Of this groupe of islands, which lies northwest of the Georgian, Huaheine is 20 miles in circuit, and 90 from Otaheite-Raiatea is from 15 to "When the brethren came to the 20 miles west-south-west of Huaheine, island, the spot in which their settleand more than double its extent-Taha ment is fixed was one vast mass of is 8 or 4 miles north of Raiatea, and brush wood, timber and fruit trees, about half its size, both enclosed in with scarcely a single habitation; but one reef-Borabora is 12 or 14 miles now it is a beautiful town, extending northwest of Taha, of less circuit, but along the margin of a fine bay, having surrounded by a reef full of populous several bridges over fine steams of islands-Maupitic is 40 miles west-fresh water from the mountains, which ward of Rprabora. fall into the bay."

American Tract Society.

AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.

Remarks made by Rev Mr. Lathrop, of St. Augustine at the late Anniversary of the American Tract Society, on the motion that a Committee of Correspondence be appointed. Mr. President,

373

first Tract Society in the Territory of Florida. I saw myself on ground which had never been blessed with the principles of the prayers of our puritan ancestors. Around us were the ravages of vice and the monuments I rise to second the motion now of superstition. We looked over that made. And though the hour admon- widely-extended region, and lo, it was ishes me that the time appropriated to covered with darkness, and no part your interesting exercises is passed, I light. Except what has resulted from cannot omit the opportunity of stating the transient exertions of two or three some facts, showing the importance of itinerant missionaries, no public meet... establishing the correspondence pro-ings for devotion were there-no alposed in the motion.

tars erected for the worship of Godno sacred stillness of the Sabbath-no peaceful resort to the sanctuary. Judge what must have been the emotions of one thus situated, endeavoring to confirm the timid hopes and feeble wishes of a few, who, in the ab

desired to be instrumental in conveying your tracts to those perishing multitudes. The circumstances of the occasion suppressed for a time the power of utterance.

Permit me to ask, Sir, why, in what is called the "Age of Benevolence," this enlightened day of religious enterprise, there should still remain, fields of moral culture, and subjects of moral wretchedness, unnoticed and unpitied by the eye of Christian phi-sence of every other means of grace, lanthropy? Why, after all your Bible Societies, and Missionary Societies, and Tract Societies have done, and the zeal called forth in their support, there should be places in our beloved country, where the work of charitable Sir, the condition and prospects of operations is not yet begun; & the her- that new portion of our country, is ald of the cross as he visits them, sinks such as ought to excite a general symin dismay at meeting one extended pathy. Its character is now to be scene of moral desolation? Why is it, formed, and it is to be decided by the that while you are here feasted at your operations of Christian benevolence, Father's table, where there is bread whether it shall be virtuous and resenough and to spare, your brethren,||pectable, or abandoned to vice and inso near, and so accessible, are by thou-fidelity. sands, perishing with hunger? Sir, it is because their condition is not known. -Facts are not communicated.

of

Among the means to effect their moral elevation and improvement, your tracts are required. They are read with avidity and must produce the happiest effects. Bigotry is unloosing its grasp, and to convince you that these efforts are not likely to be lost, even upon the Catholic population of that territory, permit me to

It is indeed impossible for a member f your privileged community to conceive of the necessities of those who dwell in such destitute regions, or to sympathize in the feelings that agitate the bosoms of the few, who have learned the value of those precious bless-relate a single anecdote. ings.

An old man of more than fourscore was last year called, in the provi-years, who had been born and nurturdence of God, to witness these scenes ed in the Catholic faith, but whose in their dread reality. And never can heart had been evidently subdued by I forget, Sir, the overwhelming emo-grace, received the gift of a Spanish tions felt, when attempting to address Testament. With a heart overflowa few who had assembled to form the ling with joy for this invaluable posses: