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RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

MISSIONS OF THE UNITED BRE

THREN.

WE have been requested, and with that request we very readily comply, to insert the following appeal to the public in behalf of the Missions of the United Brethren. Did we suppose that any thing we could say would strengthen their claims to the benevolent regard of our readers, we should certainly have enlarged on the subject. But, fearful of weakening the force of Mr. Latrobe's statement by any addition of our own, we shall content ourselves with expressing a hope that his confidence in the liberality of Christian Britain, will not prove to have been misplaced."

ADDRESS, &c.

In the year 1814, it is well known that the accumulated distresses of the Continent affected all classes and descriptions of persons. The same calamities were severely felt in all the settlements of the United Brethren in Germany, Holland, Denmark, and Russia, and considerably diminished the contributions both of the Brethren's congregations, and of friends participating in the welfare and support of their missions among the heathen. Under these circumstances, an appeal was made to the religious public, by some very respectable persons in England, who became acquainted with the embarrassments under which this important concern laboured. That appeal was not made in vain, and the Committee, to whom the general management of the Brethren's missions is intrusted by their synods, feel how much they owe to the kindness and liberality of the numerous well-wishers to the spread of Christianity among the heathen, who very nobly stepped forward on this occasion, and, by their generous donations, contributed in a great measure to remove the existing difficulty. In this work of charity, benefactors of various denominations were united, exhibiting a most encouraging proof of the power of that Christian love which binds together the hearts of the people of God in support ing the cause of their Redeemer, however distinguished by various names and forms,

The present Address is occasioned by a similar necessity, and is in like manner encouraged by friends not of the Society, who are acquainted with the proceedings of their missions, and with the great difficulty of maintaining them. This indeed amounts almost to an impossibility, unless it shall please the Lord to incline the hearts of those to whom He has imparted the power, again to afford their generous assistance. The effects of that dreadful war, by which the Continent was wholly impoverished, trade annihilated, and even the common necessaries of life in many instances withdrawn, are still felt by most classes, so as to render them unable, as formerly, to direct their attention to subjects beyond their own personal existence; while the settlements of the Brethren, though by God's mercy spared from total destruction by fire and sword, were so much exhausted, from being continually made the head. quarters of different armies, that they were plunged into debt, and their usual sources of income, for some time, nearly dried up. The exertions of individuals, however, and of the congregations collectively, have not been wanting; and, though greatly reduced in means, they have done what they could to assist in preventing any relaxation in the prosecution of the work. Yet, with every exertion, it is impossible to meet the great and accumulated expenditure of the past years. The sum of about 4.0007. which, by the unexpected liberality of our brethren and friends in England, was collected in 1814 and 1815, was indeed a relief for which we cannot sufficiently thank the Lord, who thus disposed the hearts of so many benefactors to favour the Brethren's missions; but as the circumstances which then occasioned the deficiency remain unaltered, the Committee is again under the necessity of making their case known, and expressing a hope that their petition for help will not pass unregarded.

To show how extensively the church of the United Brethren is employed in attempts to propagate the Gospel in the heathen world, and how long they have maintained their numerous missions in

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1 .. 4 In the three Danish West-India Islands, of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. Jan, the Brethren's congregations amount to about 12,200 souls; in Greenland to 1,100; in Antigua to 12,000; in St. Kitts to 2,000. The congregations of Christian Indians in North America suffered much both before and during the first American war. Great loss has been sustained by the burning of Fairfield in Upper Canada, the principal settlement among the Indians, which it will cost no small sum to repair.

God has been pleased to bless the mission at the Cape of Good Hope with much success. The forming of a third settlement is in contemplation, when means can be found to support it. About 1,600 Hottentots constitute the two congregations at Gnadenthal and Gruenekloof; many more attend public worship; and in the interior there is a great desire among the heathen to receive more teachers. As the rooms used as a chapel in Gruenekloof have for some time been too small to accommodate the congregation and other hearers, and Government have kindly granted permission to build, the erection of a new chapel has been undertaken, though at present the state of the finances scarcely warrants the undertaking.+

*The first column of figures shows the year in which the mission commenced; the second the number of settlements belonging to each; and the third, the number of Missionaries employed in them.

+ The Rev. Mr. Latrobe arrived in England in December last year, from a visit to the above settlements at the Cape, from which he has derived peculiar pleasure; and may possibly, after

The communication with the three settlements in Labrador, which can only be maintained by a vessel of their own annually sent to the settlements, proves a great expense; but the Lord has hitherto enabled the Brethren's Society for the furtherance of the Gos pel, established in London, to persevere in their exertions, notwithstanding the smallness of their means, and the uncertainty of a return equal to the expense of the outfit. Nor would it be consistent with that gratitude which we feel to God our Saviour, did we not here observe how graciously He has preserved the communication with the Brethren's Missionaries in that inhospitable region, so that since the commencement of the mission, now fiftythree years ago, no interruption has occurred in transmitting the annual supplies. During the last year, however, 1816, the vessel was for the first time prevented by the ice, and by the fury of repeated storms, from touching at Hopedale, till at length, after suffering a most violent tempest, which she was not expected to survive, the Captain was obliged to abandon all hopes of reaching that settlement, and to return to England, having four missionaries on board, who were passing from Nain to Hopedale. This event has subjected the Society to great additional expense. The anxiety which will undoubtedly fill the minds of our Brethren in Labrador, respecting the fate of the vessel and of their fellow-labourers, must be keenly felt. Yet, amidst all trouble, the Society has much cause to thank the Lord that He heard the prayers of those on board, delivered them from the raging of the sea, and brought them safe to shore.

May the above statement and call for help find acceptance and favour with all who consider the greatness and importance of the work, and the comparative weakness of those immediately employed in it, and who, without their aid, are wholly unable at present to support it. Even now, many invitations to commence new missions must be declined, from a full conviction that it far exceeds the power of the Committee to accept them.

his return from one of the principal settlements of the Brethren in Germany, lay some interesting particulars before the public.

At the period when the former appeal was submitted to the public, the debt incurred by the missions, owing to the circumstances already specified, was estimated, according to the accounts received, terminating December, 1812, at 4,000l. In the year 1813, there was a further increase of debt, amounting to 1,7007. And in the years 1814, and 1815, which are the latest accounts at present arrived, there was a still further addition, constituting a total debt of 6,000l. notwithstanding the liberal donations contributed in consequence of the first appeal. To liquidate so large a debt they feel to be utterly impossible, dependent, as they principally are, for the support of their missions, on the voluntary aid and liberality of their congregations and friends on the Continent, who are still suffering from the desolating effects of the late war.

Under these circumstances, they sincerely trust they will appear justified in again respectfully appealing to that British benevolence of which they have already experienced so generous a proof, and which is at all times so conspicuously manifested in every thing connected with the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom, that they may still be enabled to make the saving name of Jesus known to the heathen world. The assistance thus afforded will surely not be unrewarded by Him to whom the mite of the poor but cheerful giver is as acceptable as the offerings of the more opulent, for "the Lord looketh on the heart."

C. I. LATROBE.

Donations will be thankfully received by the Secretary, the Rev. C. I. Latrobe, No. 10, Nevil's-court, Fetter-lane; the Treasurer, Mr. J. L. Wollin, No. 5, St. Andrew's-court, Holborn ;-and also by the Rev. Basil Woodd; the Rev. Daniel Wilson; the Rev. Legh Richmond; the Rev. T. S. Grimshawe; the Rev. I. K. Martyn; Messrs. Hoares, Bankers, Fleet-street; Mr. J. Hatchard, 190, Piccadilly; Mr. L. B. Seeley, 169, Fleet street; Messrs. Williams and Co. Sta tioners'-court; Messrs. Ridgway and Sons, 170, Piccadilly; M.T. Lamb, Bristol; Mr. James Montgomery, Shef field; Mr. Robert Plenderleath, Edinburgh; Mr. George Gibson, Leith; Mr. Hugh Muir, Glasgow;-and by all the Ministers of the Brethren's congregations in London; Bath; Bristol; Bedford; Leominster; Haverford-west; Plymouth; Fulneck, near Leeds; Fairfield, CHRIST, OBSERV. No. 183.

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near Manchester; Okbrook,near Derby; Tytherton, near Chippenham, Wilts; Ayr; and Dublin.

Those who are inclined to become annual subscribers towards the support of the Brethren's Missions, are respectfully requested to affix the word "Subscriber" to their names, and also to state their place of residence.

The Reports containing accounts from the different Missions, published from time to time, may be had upon application to the Secretary, the Treasurer, or any of the Brethren's Ministers.

Lists of the donations will be published.

SOCIETY FOR THE SUPPORT OF GAELIC SCHOOLS.

In our Number for December last, p. 830, we laid before our readers an Abstract of this Society's Fifth Report. A Sixth, namely, that for 1816, has since appeared. It was read at a General Meeting of the Subscribers, held at Edinburgh, on the 12th December, 1816. Charles Grant, Esq. M. P. was in the chair, and took an opportunity of remarking, that having recently witnessed, while in the Highlands, the great utility of the Society's schools, and being convinced of the urgent necessity which existed for their institution, he should be happy to use all his influence in promoting their interests.

The Report states, that the success of the Society's undertaking has far surpassed every anticipation, and has been so marked as to produce a growing harmony of sentiment on the subject. The prejudice at first entertained by many persons against Gaelic schools, has been triumphantly overborne by the evidence of facts, and the conviction increaseB daily, that the plan of the Society is the best that could be adopted for conveying to the poor Highlanders that knowledge which alone can make them wise unto salvation. A few extracts from the Report will abundantly confirm this view of the case.

1. Torraston, Island of Coll.-The clergyman's report states, that on an examination he found the number of scholars to be 68; that the upper classes read with ease and promptitude; and that all of them, by their progress and attention, afforded convincing proofs of the fidelity and diligence of their teachers.' "In fine," he adds, "the whole of this day's transactions exhi2 D

bited a pleasant prospect, demanding our fervent and humble thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and gratitude to you, the instruments in his Divine hand, of doing such good to the poor and needy. With much pleasure I observed a girl, seventeen years of age, reading the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians, who had not known a letter at the beginning of the session. The people in this district seem grateful for the liberal share of your bounty they have already enjoyed, and eagerly solicit that your school may be continued among them."

2. Arinagower, Island of Coll.-The report of this school states as follows:"Of 78 scholars attending your school here, 22 are reading the Bible. This class read with ease and accuracy. The other classes acquitted themselves much to the minister's satisfaction, and the examination of the whole afforded me great pleasure. Of the above number, 16 are married persons, who, notwithstanding the disadvantage they laboured under during the last session, are in a fair way of doing well should they persevere."

3. Bracadale, Isle of Skye.-The Rev. John Shaw writes of this school, "What I am anxious that you should know is, the good that has been done by the school, and the interest that it has excited. The children themselves seem to have a pleasure in attending it: they pressed me to hear from them more Psalms and portions of Scripture than I had time for every face seemed to be animated, and every heart to beat with desire to excel in the various exercises to which they were called by their teacher. In course of visiting, and being called upon by the people, I also found that much good was likely to accrue from the parents employing the children in reading the Scriptures at home. And when in the school-house on Saturday, one of the inhabitants informed me, that he had been deputed by the rest to beg me to tell the Society, on my arrival in Edinburgh, how deeply they felt their obligations to them for the important benefit of teaching their children to read the Scriptures, and thus bringing the knowledge of salvation within the reach of their parents, who are unable to read for themselves."

4. Hustal, Isle of Skye.-Speaking of the school at this place, the same clergyman says: "How can I tell you the delightful emotions with which I and a

large congregation were filled, to hear, at the close of the service, 40 children of both schools read the sacred Scriptures as perfectly as ever I heard them read, and in the most plain and impressive manner, none of whom could read them a short time before! I cannot express the interest about divine things which appeared to be excited, and the enjoy. ment which it gave to the people to hear them, and to see many copies of the word of God where hardly one was to be seen before. I hope that you will take it as a sufficient proof of the teacher's success and diligence, that about 20 who never knew a letter before his arrival amongst them, can now read the New Testament as well as I could wish to hear it read. His school, as you will see by his report to you, is very numerous, and thrives beyond all expectation. There is a visible change to the better upon young and old all around it. The Scriptures read by the teacher and scholars are, by the blessing of God, diffusing their benign and sanctifying influence; and thus the blessing of those that were ready to perish for lack of knowledge is coming upon the Society."

5. Greenyard, Kincardine, Ross-shire. -"I found there," says the Rev.A.Macbean, "a crowded school, of all ages79 in number. The progress they have made, during the winter session, is very great, indeed surprising. Their teacher seems to have been at pure pains with them; as many who, four months before, could not read a word in Gaelic, now read the Old and New Testament with ease and propriety. Some who have fought the battles of their country, spilt their blood and lost their limbs in its service, attended this school, Retired on a pension, they are now devoting their leisure hours to learn to read the Gospel of peace, and have made very great proficiency. In short, the schools have been a blessing of inestimable magnitude to the parish: the seed has been sown in part, the fruits begin to appear; and, I trust, the harvest will be abundant, and greatly conduce to the glory of God!"

6. Dingwall. The Rev. Alexander Stewart thus writes: "It is with much satisfaction that I find myself called upon, at the end of another session of our Gaelic school, to repeat the testimony which I formerly bore to its utility, and to the gratitude of the inhabitants to the benevolent directors who appointed it so long to this station.

"The returns of the teacher will show

the number and progress of the scholars.

From 200 to 300 persons have been taught to read the word of God in their native tongue; and not only to read but to reverence the Scriptures, and to refer to them in the common duties and ordinary occurrences of the day."

"I request you will be pleased to communicate to the gentlemen of the Gaelic School Society, our very grateful acknowledgments for their continued kindness, and our earnest prayers for the farther success of their pious and humane scheme. We are now on a plan of getting a school erected on a permanent foundation, which, along with other objects, shall include all the advantages connected with the Gaelic School. The conviction of the utility of such an establishment, and the spirit which prompted its execution, certainly took their rise from the school stationed here by your benevolent society, and I am happy to have to communicate so encouraging a testimony to the beneficial effects of their labour of love."

Mr. Stewart communicates also some very interesting facts to show the general improvement produced in his parish by means of the Society's school. No less striking are the following

"In two populous townships," says the Rev. Dr. Ross," at the distance of twelve miles from the parish church, and in some measure detached from the whole world, where, one year ago, except in the house of the principal tenant, a single Bible was not to be found, now there is not a house in which a portion of the word of God is not read and his worship performed twice every day. The thing is scarcely credible-but the hand of God is in your labours, and the annals of time will not record the immensity of good which you have done."

"After an examination at Glencalvie, an old man in particular," says the Rev. Mr. Macbean, "thanked God, in most expressive terms, for what he had spared him to see.. I remember,' said he, • when there were only three Bibles in all Strathcarron, Glencalvie, and Strathcullanach-an extent of strath measuring fully twenty miles in length, if taken in a straight line-and only three men in the vast population they then contained, who could read the word of God! And now every child can read it-every house contains one or more Bibles, and those who cannot read themselves have daily opportunity of hearing it from some inmate of the family."""

The Society's Report closes with an appeal to the public on the subject of its funds. The expenditure of the year, owing to the extensive and suc cessful efforts of the Society, has amounted to nearly 2,2001 while the total receipts have not exceeded 1,250, This large deficit forms a loud call on British Christians generally, and espe cially on the natives of the Islands and Highlands of Scotland in all parts of the world, blessed as many of them are with affluence, to assist in rescuing their brethren from the depth of ignorance, and communicating to them the bless ings of Christian light. Can any thing," the Committee justly and feel ingly observe, “be more momentous than the salvation of our brethren ? Even the soul of a stranger ought to be deemed by us of incalculable value; but those whom you are endeavouring to introduce to the knowledge of a Saviour are they not our own blood; the mem hers of the same national family? Can we think with indifference of that almost tangible darkness in which so many of them are involved? Secluded from the more enlightened portion of the land by those stupendous ramparts which the beams of the summer sun can scarcely overshoot, our countrymen had wandered far from man, and still farther from their God. Unacquainted with the use of language, excepting as it might be necessary for conducting the limited intercourse connected with vegetative life, those stores of knowledge which expand the intellect, enlighten the soul, and elevate man in the scale of being, were shut up from them by impenetrable bars-like the heathen, many of them ignorant of the Word of life, were thus deprived of the enjoy ment of the second best gift of God to man. Such was the desperate nature of the malady.-What was the nature of the remedy applied by you? You sent teachers amongst them with the Bible in their hands-the treasure and the key which disclosed it were presented together. You penetrated the deepest recesses of their mountains; and in those dells where the son of nature rarely gladdens with his smiles the deep-shaded hamlet, the Sun of Righte ousness has shone forth in the splendour of his glory. You have now completely organized the establishment: your de pots furnish a constant supply of the Scriptures; and the spreading influence of your teaching has already demon

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