produces at present but a thin crop, in compar ison to that sown among the more enlightened ones of the West; yet the little it gives becomes very dear to the sower, for he gains it with hard labor. It was reported to me that an orphan girl, aged fourteen years, to whom I gave an Arabic New Testament, when her daily labor was finished, read passages from that holy book to a younger sister. The time is approaching when the word of God will also find here "a good ground, and spring up and bear fruit an hundred fold." Rev. Mr. Barker. Bible at Smyrna. I was very sorry to find how very few knew that the "Food of comfort" was to be had in Smyrna. I lost no time in making it known, and accordingly paid a visit to the Archimandrite Meletius, (the Greek bishop not having yet arrived from Constantinople,) to call his attention to the necessity that the word of God should be dispersed among his people. I was happy to find him much disposed to favor the laudable designs of the Society, and he promised to send me purchasers. I keep open the depot from morning till night, and am rejoiced to say, not without benefit. I have already sold and distributed, these three or four days past, more than eighty Bibles and Testaments in different languages; and I hope the sale will daily increase. I had forgotten to mention that whilst at Smyrna I paid a visit to the Armenian bishop, with whom I had a long conference on the subject of the Bible Society, and he was so pleased with the Institution that he promised to become a promoter of its interests. He faithfully performed his promise, and preached accordingly to his followers a sermon exhorting them to purchase and read the Holy Scriptures, and actually distributed forty-four Bibles and Testaments after service, which I had sent him for that purpose. The Bishop did not fail to send me immediately the money he received for those books, and this measure brought many purchasers the next and following days to the Society's depot. The Hebrew Bibles you have sent me will be very acceptable to the Jews. I am happy to say that the sum I procured for the Holy Scriptures which I sold at Smyrna, was much more. considerable than that at Aleppo. Rev. Mr. Barker. Claims of India. In passing, however, from these contracted fields of labor to the immensity of India, the sphere is vast and the wants of the people incalculable; the supplies too actually furnished, when compared with the population, are scarcely more than a drop to the ocean. This is not the language of discouragement, but of a sober and dispassionate judgment. It is fit that the Committee should steadily contemplate the work before them-that they should embrace the whole field in view-that they should look round on the inhabitants, and languages, and districts, within the boundaries of British India; that they should bear in mind the sublime object of the British and Foreign Bible Society, which, comprehending the whole human race, will not have at tained its point, until all shall possess the means of knowing the only true God; and with this enlarged estimate of the demands for exertion, they cannot but consider the labors of past years to have produced only the inconsiderable beginnings of so glorious a work. Rep. of the Calcutta Bib. So. MORAVIAN MISSIONS. THE following extract of a circular, published in England, in behalf of the Missions of the United Brethren, we copy from the Christian Observer. It is not a little to the praise of the Brethren, that their efforts for the Conversion of the heathen have so commended themselves to the approbation of fellow Christians, as to occasion liberal contributions from men of other denominations, who, at the same time, have missions of their own to support. To all who are interested in the cause of Christianity, and the progress of the Gospel, the following statement is offered by individu als wholly unconnected with the United Brethren; and excited to plead for them simply by the excellence of their character, the greatness of their cause, the rigid economy with which their plans are executed, and the remarkable success that has attended their labors. For nearly a hundred years past, and dur ing a period in which the Christian world may be said to have been dead to the interests of humanity at large, the brethren have continued to send forth faithful, humble, diligent laborers-men not contented to offer a sacrifice that cost them nothing, but who, quitting all that they held dear in the present world, all the comforts of a civilized home, have given up their lives to the service of their Redeemer; cheerfully exposing themselves to the baneful climate of the West Indies, or enduring, year after year, the rigors of an Arctic Winter on the coast of Greenland and Labrador, without the accommodations, and barely provided with the necessaries of life. They have persevered in the work set before them, neither yielding to difficulties, nor deterred by dangers and distresses, nor baffled by ingratitude and opposition. But it is not only on the excellence and the spirit of the Brethren's missions that we rest their cause, but also on the remarkable success which has attended their efforts. In thirty-three Missionary stations, in Greenland, Labrador, North America, the West Indies, Surinam, South Africa, and Tartary, there are about. 32,000 Christian Converts under the care of one hundred and sixtyeight missionaries, whose attention, however, is not exclusively confined to them; for they preach the Gospel also to many thousands of heathens, in their respective vicinities. The direct expenses of all these missions amounted, in 1820, to 6,6771. 9s. 9d.; a sum incredibly small, in proportion to the magnitude and extent of the good effected. But there were arrears and contingencies to be added, partly for the maintenance of aged missionaries, worn out in the service, or of the widows of the deceased missionaries, or for the education of their children: these arrears, when added to the preceding sum, produced a total of 9,4811. 178. 11d. The smallness of this expenditure is to be accounted for, not merely by the rigid economy, and self-denying habits of the missionaries, but also by the gratifying fact, that in some of the stations, trades or manufactures, carried ou under their superintendence, have been so productive as nearly to cover the whole of their respective expenses. in the Danish West India islands, containing 12,000 Negro converts, the missionaries have exerted themselves so effectually as even to remit 7501. during the year 1820, towards the maintenance of other missions. "The congregations of the Brethren on the continent and elsewhere, amount not, on an average, to more than 8000 persons, and these belong chiefly to the humbler classes of Society; so that their means of contributing to the expenses of the missions are very small: yet they were able, in a great measure, to meet it, until the difficulties and devastations attendant on the late war had so much impoverished the continental congregations, as to throw the burden, almost exclusively on those of Great Britain. With every effort, however, on their part, they are not able to raise above 2000. per annum; less than a fourth part of the whole annual expenditure. The Society labors, in consequence, under heavy pecuniary embarrassments, and must have long since relinquished a great part of the missionary stations, and yielded up these Christian enclosures a prey to the powers of darkness, but for the spontaneous bounty of benevolent friends, chiefly in England and Scotland; by whose aid and exertions upwards of 4000l. have been collected in aid of the missionary fund. Still an annual sum of 20002. remains to be provided for; to which are to be added, unliquidated deficiencies of former years; and during the present year this deficiency has been greatly augmented, owing to the dreadful devastations produced by hurricanes on two of the South-African stations. In connexion with the above circular, is mentioned, as forming a new claim to Christian sympathy, the conflagration at Sarepta, accounts of which most of our readers have probably seen. This settlement, situated on the river Wolga, in Russian Asia, near Czarizin, was originally formed, in 1765, by five of the Brethren from Herrnhut. Its population had increased to nearly 500, and a few converts had of late years been gathered from among the Calmucks. On the 9th of August last, three fourths of the whole settlement were laid in ashes. Through the merciful protection of Providence, only two lives were lost. France. ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE. The Paris Society for Christian Morals has issued a circular, offering a premium of $187,00, for the best essay in favor of the abolition of the Slave Trade, with particular reference to the circumstances of France, The circular is of itself an article on the subject of the Slave Trade of great merit, and calculated to produce a happy effect, and it is much to be wished, that it may call forth the highest efforts of some pen, which has power to move a nation. Endia. BENGAL AUXILIARY MISSIONARY SOCIETY, A NOTICE of the Auxiliary Missionary Society at Bengal is contained in the London Missionary Chronicle for Dec. 1823. The Society has native chapels in the Durrumtollah, at Mirzapoor, Kidderpore, Chinsurah and Benares. Schools have been established at Kidder pore, Rhobinapore, Chitlah and Tallah Gunge. A female school has also been established, where there is sometimes an attendance of sixteen girls. The establishment of a school press is one of its measures for enlightening the natives. "During the last year the Society's press has printed in Bengallee, 12,500 tracts; in English and Bengallee 18,000; in Hindoostanee 4,500; in English and Hindoos. tanee 1,500; in Hinduwi, 1,500; amounting in all to 50,000." The Society's funds for the year amounted to about $3,700 and its disbursements to about $5,500. The existence of such a Society in Bengal, and its strength and efficiency, are certainly very pleasing indications of the progress Christianity in that part of Hindostan. CALCUTTA BIBLE SOCIETY. of THE following is copied in the London Missionary Chronicle from the Calcutta Government Gazette. The twelfth Anniversary of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society was held on the 21st of February last. The principal feature in the Report was its review of the operations and effects of the Calcutta Bible Association, instituted in July 1822, which has already collected nearly 6,000 rupees, (about $3,000,) in aid of the cause. Christians of all denominations have been excited to new earnestness in disseminating the Holy Scriptures. Dr. Marshman presented to the Society a copy of the whole Bible, translated at Serampore into the Chinese language, printed on European paper, in moveable types. It was felt to be an occasion for congratulation, that this important work had been at length s happily completed. 1824. Chinese College at Malacca.... Western Africa....South Sea Islands. ANGLO-CHINESE COLLEGE AT MALACCA. THE Anglo-Chinese college at Malacca was Africa. INTERIOR OF WESTERN AFRICA. From the Journal of Rev. Mr. Morgan, on the river Gambia. ON March 15th, 1823, we passed LemonIsland, which is recommended by the King of Calubab for our settlement. (Thermometer 76.) The river here appears beautiful. The trees on the banks are more various in their foliage, and are interspersed with shrubs in full bloom; and the ground behind appears, by its natural produce, to be of an excellent quality. The land is beautifully diversified with mountains, and large majestic trees. The river here is about two hundred yards over: its surface is as glass; and its course between this and Yannemuroo is frequently interrupted by islands, which enliven the scene. The banks are thinly peopled; and thousands of acres of land, which would pay the husbandman a thousand fold of this country's grain for his labor, are unoccupied, except by reptiles and beasts of prey. 18. We came to anchor at Findefulle, in the King of Barda's dominions. 20. I was informed by a man who is much up the river, that it is more healthy here than nearer the coast. The people were sitting on the banks of the river, some of whom were much astonished at the appearance of the schooner, having never before seen any thing but small craft or canoes. One of them inquired if the masts of the vessel were trees which grew up from the bottom. The Foollahs seem to be a scattered race of people, and are found in every direction. They reside among different nations, by permission of their kings. They employ themselves in keeping cattle and growing corn, of which the Mandingoes demand of them as much as they please, being, as I am informed, almost entirely dependent for these articles upon the Foollaḥs, as they are themselves too indolent to cultivate the land. The act for VOL. XX. 89 the abolition of the Slave-Trade seems to have made a happy change in the circumstances of the Foollahs. An old Marraboo said, that when he used to trade up and down the river a few years ago, if a Foollab was then caught by the river-side, it was considered by a Mandingo a sufficient transgression to warrant his selling him for a slave; but now they come and go where they please, without fear. They bear a nearer resemblance to Europeans in the form of their features, than any I have yet seen in Africa. The nearest to them, in this respect, are the Loobies, a distinct race of people, who seem to have no settlement, but are constantly wandering from place to place, and make bowls and calabashes. I inquired if the Foollahs were related to the Loobies, and was informed that they had a tradition, that the chiefs of these tribes were originally white; two sons of one father. The Father of the Foollahs having always shewn himself industrious in cultivating the land, and taking care of the cattle, his father, at his death, left all he had to him: but Looby being idle, had nothing given him but an axe, with which he went into the woods to work for his living; and both tribes haye continued in their respective occupations ever since. At three, P. M., we set off for the King's Town, with Cah Munsong, or the River Alcaide, who was our guide. We found a great part of the town burned, as had been reported to us. The women and children fled from us, as though we were monsters, they having never seen a white man before. One young woman, however, distinguished herself from the rest by running for a calabash of water, and falling on her knees, she presented it to the Major on our entering the town. I learn ed afterwards that the women present nothing to their friends, nor even to their husbands, but in the same humble and reveren tial posture. South Sea Eslands. THE following notices of the South Sea Islands are derived from a letter of Messrs. Tyerman and Bennett, written at the Island of Borabora, March 13, 1823. RAIATEA. God appears greatly to have blessed the labors of our brethren, (Threlkeld and Williams,) and they appear happy and satisfied in their work, laboring with much assiduity to promote both the temporal and eternal welfare of these interesting people. When the brethren came to the island, the beautiful spot in which their settlement is fixed was one vast mass of brushwood, timber, and fruit-trees, with scarcely a single habitation; but now it is a beautiful town, extending along the margin of a fine bay, having several bridges over fine streams of fresh water from the mountains, which fall into the bay. The large and handsome houses of the missionaries, and the very spacious chapel and judgmenthall, occupy the centre of the settlement; while respectable, well-plaistered houses for 12 90 South America......Domestic Intelligence..... Revivals of Religion. MARCh, the chiefs and people extend perhaps for a mile each way, producing a pleasing effect. The premises of the missionaries are neatly formed and well stocked. The natives also have a great number of well-fenced inclosures for sugar-cane and maias, but especially for tobacco. Our missionary brethren have appropriate places for the natives, in which to manufacture their tobacco-to boil their sugar,-to make salt,--to manufacture smith's work, and for making chairs, bedsteads, and sofas, all which they may be said to do well. BORABORA. The mission here is in a very flourishing state, and the schools are singularly well attended. From hence three converted natives have been sent as missionaries to the Friendly Islands; two to Rimatera, 300 miles SSW. Two more have been sent to Maupiti, 40 miles to the west. Thus seven native teachers have been raised up in these islands. MAUPITI. TAMATOA, the present king, who is a very respectable intelligent person, and regarded by our brethren as sincerely attached to the While the Deputation were residing at truth, has more than once or twice remark- Borabora, they accepted the earnest invitaed, that when he reflects how often he has al- tion of the king of Maupiti to visit his island. lowed his people to offer sacrifice to himself, Here also they were delighted to behold the and to worship him as a god, he is covered rapid progress the people had made in the with shame, and can scarcely believe that || knowledge of the gospel, and had the happiGod can pardon him; only, he adds, as he ness of being present at the baptism of 74 was then ignorant of Jehovah and Jesus persons; 291 having before been baptized, in Christ, he hopes that God has forgiven him all 365. Here also they partook, with the for the sake of his dear Son; and that, by his church, of the Lord's Supper, and assisted at Holy Spirit, the word will so grow in his the formation of an Auxiliary Missionary Soheart, that he shall not return any more to ciety. The subscription amounted to nearly sin. 1000 bamboos of cocoa-nut oil. Every child that has left the breast subscribes one. South America. LANCASTERIAN SOCIETY AT BUENOS A SOCIETY was formed at Buenos Ayres dur Our meetings for public worship have been extremely gratifying, both by the great numbers who have attended, the quiet, orderly, and attentive manner of their behavior, and by the edifying truths which were faithfully and affectionately set before them. It was with much satisfaction we witnessed the baptism of 150 persons on one day, making up the number of baptized about 1,100, leaving a remainder of persons in the island, unbap-ing the last year for the purpose of establishtized, about 200. With the church, which ing Lancasterian schools both in the city and consists of about 150 members, we had twice country. Messrs. Brigham and Parvin have the pleasure of communicating at the Lord's table, and we could not but wish that many of forwarded to us a printed copy of the Conour Christian brethren in England could have stitution, accompanied with a list of subscripartaken of our happiness. bers. An annual subscription of six dollars constitutes membership. In June 1823 the number of members was 155; annual subscri TAHAA. On the 22d of December 1822, the Deputa-bers of less than six dollars, 11; amount of tion left Raiatea for the island of Tahaa, which is within a few miles of it. Here they staid seven weeks with great pleasure; there is a prospect of much good being done, and that this island will not be found inferior to any other. annual subscriptions $1,923:75, averaging $11:58 from each subscriber, besides donations to the amount of $306:00, all of which, except $16:00 was from members of the Society, in addition to their annual subscription. Domestic Intelligence, REVIVALS OF RELIGION. Connecticut. By a letter from an agent of the Board in Connecticut we learn that a revival of religion has recently commenced in Burlington, Hartford Co., with very flattering prospects. New-York. A letter received some time since from the Corresponding Secretary of the Board contains the following intelligence from the city of New-York. Jan. 3. This forenoon I called on Dr. McAuley, and was happy to learn that a considerable attention to religion now exists among his people. About 30 new instances of conviction, or at least of inquiry, have taken place lately. Since he came here in Nov. 1822, no less than 202 have been admitted to his church, of whom 98 are heads of families. Respecting a revival of religion in the society of Moreau and Northumberland, Rev. Mr. Bacon writes, under date of Jan. 26th, "Within a week the work has received a new impulse, and, if I mistake not, is much,, land, Jan. 17. Sermon by the Rev. Enos more powerful than ever." Seventy had been added to the church. The work extends to three adjacent villages. NOTE. A revival in the first Baptist church in the city of Albany, New-York, was incorrectly noticed in our last number, p. 57, under the head of revivals in Maine. A letter from Rev. Oliver Merrill of Freeport. Collection after Sermon Virginia. states that about 100 have been added to four PORTLAND JEWS' SOCIETY. THE first Report of the Portland Society for promoting Christianity among the Jews states that $419 was received into the Treasury during the past year, $200 of which was from the Female Society in that town. Of this sum $20 have been sent to the American Jews' Society in New-York, and 347 remitted to London, to be applied to the purpose of print Two years ago I was appointed to Nolachucky circuit.-We had about 800 members when I was appointed to the circuit; we now number more than 1800. There is also a good work in some parts of the Holston district. At the camp meeting near Jonesboring and distributing the Hebrew New Testaough 202 joined the society; at the one near Rutledge 74. CONNECTICUT MISSIONARY SOCIETY. FROM a History of the Connecticut Missionary Society, published in the Christian Spectator, we select the following particulars. The Society is the oldest of its kind in our country. In consequence of frequent and earnest calls for assistance from the new settlements, the General Association of Connecticut, in 1792, petitioned the Legislature for an annual contribution for three years, to be appropriated to missionary purposes. Such a collection has been taken every year from that time to the present. In 1798 the General Association resolved itself into "The Missionary Society of Connecticut." Since that time 170 missionaries in all have been employed. From its organization to the close of the year 1822, its Receipts were $127,525; Expenditures, $98,342. It has a permanent fund of more than $29,000. The Trustees have at different times endeavored to establish missions among the Indians; but these attempts were made at a time less auspicious than the present, and were not attended with great success. For several years they have directed their efforts chiefly to domestic missions, and prosper in their work. MAINE EDUCATION SOCIETY. THE Maine Branch of the American Education Society held its annual meeting in Port ment. FEMALE MISSIONARY SOCIETY IN THE THE "Female Missionary Society of the CORBAN AND GRAHAM SOCIETIES IN BOSTON. THE receipts of the Corban Society for the year ending in September last were $285,34, besides articles of clothing valued at $169,50. During the year assistance had been rendered to thirty three young men preparing for the ministry, chiefly in necessary articles of clothing, amounting to $274,10, exclusive of the donations in clothing mentioned above. Among associations which have contributed their aid, the auxiliary Society in Ashby and an association of young men in Boston are particularly mentioned. The Society has a permanent fund amounting at present to $520. A legacy has been recently received from the late Mrs. Judith Pearson of Boscawen, N. H. consisting of cloth valued at $76,42, and a donation from Mr. Isaac Pearson valued at $38,62. |