strated the great advantage of circulating schools. In the course of a few years, you will have perambulated the country; and, under the influence of that gracious Being, who has already so manifestly blessed the progress of the work, this moral wilderness may assume the appearance of the fruitful field-this desert may yet blossom as the rose. Such being the object, and such the means, your Committee cannot distrust the public feeling so much as to suppose, that even at the expense of some temporary privations, this great work will be neglected or abandoned.

"Should, however, contrary to the expectation of your Committee, the public bounty in the ensuing year prove inadequate to the present establishment, you will have no alternative. Your duty, though the most painful one you have ever had to perform, will be to yield obedience to the public decision. You must, in that case, submit to the relinquishment of a considerable number of your schools; and steeling your hearts as men and as Christians, you must withdraw your palsied hand from their supplicating grasp, and resign to that perilous state of ignorance and apathy from which you fondly hoped to rescue them, many of our brethren who are looking up to you for the Scriptures of truth, and who are, perhaps, even now praying for a blessing from God on the head of those whom they believe to be sending this precious treasure amongst them. But it is impossible that such a picture can be realized, that such a painful task should be imposed upon you.-Britain has been honoured by the Almighty as his instrument in doing good to mankind at large; --Britain will not, cannot, thus leave her own children to perish ;-give publicity to your plan,-to your success,to your wants, and your Committee rest assured that those wants will be supplied.

Surely no British, and especially no Scottish, above all, no Highland, heart. can resist this appeal. We shall only add to it the notice, that subscriptions are received, in London, by William Allen, Esq. Plough-court, Lombard-street; Messrs. William and Thomas Christy, No. 36, Grace-church-street; Richard Phillips, Esq. East-street, Red Lionsquare; Jos. Reyner, Esq. No.50, MarkJane; R. Steven, Esq. Thames-street; Mr. Jos. Tarn, East-street; Rev. Alexander Waugh, D. D. Salisbury-place;

in Liverpool, by Samuel Hope, Esq. and in York, by Mr. Thomas Wemyss, Academy.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY,

The Corresponding Committee of this Society, at Calcutta, has taken into its service two native Christians, who are employed at Meerut to read the Scriptures and superintend the schools. One of these, Permunund, was first converted to the Christian faith by Mr. Chamberlain, the Baptist Missionary. He had not, however, been baptized by Mr. C., as he wished to have his infant son baptized with him. He had, therefore, declined baptism at the hands of Mr. C., but sought it from our Church. At Meerut he was employed by the same lady (the wife of an officer) who has presented to the public the affecting story of "Henry and his bearer," and who is now in England, in reading the prayers of the Church of England, and the Scriptures, in Hindoostanee, to a small congregation chiefly composed of natives, who used to assemble in a room in her garden. He not only read but explained the Scriptures to those who attended; and his expositions are said to have been very satisfactory.

"In February, 1815," this lady writes, "Mr. Thomason arrived at Meerut; and, at my entreaty, appointed Permunund as a schoolmaster in the city of Meerut, under the Church Missionary Society, with a salary which included the services of himself and his brother. A room over the gateway of that ancient city was procured for his school, by favour of the judge; and many of the old scholars and pupils of Mr. Bowley flocked to him.

"After his appointment in the school, Permunund continued to come to us for instruction, his brother assisting him in the school. He performed Divine Service in our chapel as usual; and brought his boys to the service, and also to be examined in their progress.

"Our chapel now began to be filled by our own Mussulman and Hindoo servants, and OUR school-boys, with those of Permunund, from the city. Every one behaved with the greatest decency, and seemed to take delight in hearing him.

"It now became common to see the servants, in different parts of the house and garden, spending their time in learning to read the Scriptures; and one man, in particular, always carried

a copy of the Gospel of St. Matthew in his girdle, and, during the intervals of his work, sat down and read his two chapters. He knew no more when we left Meerut.

"Permunund appeared to me to be a man of a quick and lively imagination; and had a manner of expounding Scripture particularly adapted to the natives, and sometimes highly beautiful. It appeared to me that he was better fitted for preaching and expounding to grown persons, than for teaching children; although the children in his school made a very fair progress, whilst we remained at Meerut."

This lady left Meerut in June, 1815. A letter, however, has been received from the Chaplain on that station, an active friend of the Society, dated a year later; namely, in June, 1816; which states, "We have here a little Indian church, which, as yet, I can only superintend occasionally. Permunund, a converted Hindoo-a sincere, devout, and simple Christian-is the schoolmaster, and teaches about thirty natives to read the Scriptures, expounding them in a very modest way, and with much genuine feeling. He has also a school of young children who attend him. He receives a monthly stipend from the Church Missionary Society. The poor fellow seems to be lifted to a new state of existence by our arrival. He has been languishing, without countenance, under a temporary cloud; which we have fully swept away, by an open investigation of the circumstances of his case."

(LONDON)MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Six Missionaries from this Society reached Madras on the 26th of August. Two of them proceeded thence to Calcutta, and one to Bellary, to assist Mr. Hands. One was destined to remain with Mr. Loveless, at Madras, where a missionary chapel has been erected, with a missionary free school attached to it, in which between one and two hundred boys are daily taught to read the oracles of God. At Bellary, Mr. Hands has four native schools under his care, which are said to prosper, and he intends to increase their number. He was about to begin to preach in the Canara language. In the mean time he preaches in English, and is attended by many Europeans and by some natives. Considerable good appears to be effected among the European soldiery. Mr.

Hands has completed the translation of a third Catechism, and a large collection of Scripture Extracts.

At Amboyna, Mr. Kam preaches in Malay to considerable congregations. Many of the masters of slaves have requested him to undertake the instruction of their slaves, finding that the instructed slaves are more faithful and diligent than the others. He had spent about a month in preaching the Gospel in the island of Banda; a great part of the population of which, as well as of Amboyna, is nominally Christian; but has for a long time been neglected. Their anxiety, however, to possess the Scriptures is very great. "There are thousands," he says, "who would part with all they possess to obtain a copy of the Bible in their own tongue;* and if they hear I am to preach in Malay, which is at present more my business than preaching in Dutch, many collect together two hours before the service begins."

A deputation from the (London) Missionary Society, consisting of the Rev. D. Bogue and the Rev. W. Bennett, has visited Holland, in order to confer with the Netherlands Society for Missions, on the best means of advancing the interests of the kingdom of Christ in the world. That Society is approved by the National Synod, and has the countenance also of the government. It has instituted a seminary for the education of Missionaries, at which six students are already placed. The attention of the Society had been drawn to the coast of Guinea, the West Indies, and Suri

nam.

The deputies urged also upon their consideration the strong claims of the East, especially of Java, Amboyna, and their dependencies, and a determination was expressed to send Missionaries thither. A Mission to Irkutsk, in Russia, was also contemplated.

CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA. We have much pleasure in transcribing from the Missionary Register

Work recently published, entitled January, the following extract from "Sketches of India," which is attributed to a writer of great authority. It gives an account of what he himself witnessed

*The British and Foreign Bible Society are now printing, in this country, a large impression of the Malay Scriptures.

of the proceedings of Mr. Chamberlain, one of the Baptist Missionaries, during a great fair at Hurdwar in the neighbourhood of Sirdhana. The writer observes, "During the greater part of this fair, which lasted nearly three weeks, a Baptist Missionary (Mr. Chamberlain) in the service of her highness the Begum Sumroo, attended; and from an Hindoostanee Translation of the Scriptures, read daily a considerable portion. His knowledge of the language was that of an accomplished native; his delivery impressive; and his whole manner partook much of mildness and benignity. In fine, he was such as all, who undertake the arduous and painful duties of a Missionary, should be. No phrase, no language, which could in any way injure the sacred service he was employed in, escaped his lips. Having finished his allotted portion, on every part of which he commented and explained, he recited a short prayer, and concluded the evening by bestowing his blessing on all assembled.

"At first, as may be expected, his auditors were few; a pretty convincing proof, when 60,000 were collected, that it was not through mere curiosity that they subsequently increased. For the first four or five days, he was not surrounded by more than as many Hindoos: in ten days (for I regularly attended) his congregation had increased to as many thousands. From this time, until the conclusion of the fair, they varied;

but never, on a rude guess, I should fancy, fell below eight thousand. They sat around, and listened with an attention which would have reflected credit on a Christian audience. On the Missionary retiring, they every evening cheered him home, with May the Padre (or Priest) live for ever!'

"Such was the reception of a Missionary at Hurdwar, the Loretto of the Hindoos, at a time when five lacks of people were computed to have been assembled, and whither Brahmins, from far and near, had considered it their duty to repair. What was not the least singular, many of these Brahmins formed part of his congregation. They paid the greatest deference to all that fell from him; and when in doubt, requested an explanation. Their attendance was regular; and many whose countenances were marked, were even the first in assembling.

"Thus, instead of exciting a tumult, as was at first apprehended, by at tempting conversion at one of the chief sources of idolatry, Mr. Chamberlain, by his prudence and moderation, commanded attention; and, I have little doubt, ere the conclusion of the fair, effected his purpose, by converting to Christianity men of some character and reputation."

We have received the 30th Number of the Periodical Accounts of the Baptist Missions, to which we shall take an early opportunity of attending.

THE only foreign occurrences which claim to be distinctly noticed in our view of public affairs for the present month, are the election of Mr. Munro, formerly the American Envoy at this court, to the Presidency of the United States, by a large majority of votes; and the restoration of prince Talleyrand to the favour of Louis XVIII. He has resumed his office of grand chamberlain at the Thuilleries, where his attendance had for some time been dispensed with.

Among the foreign occurrences of the month, may also perhaps be classed the intelligence which has been received from China, but which has not yet been

presented to the public in an authentic shape, and may therefore be liable to some doubt. It states, that the mission of Lord Amherst, had failed in accomplishing its object, and that he was on his return to Canton, without having succeeded in obtaining an interview with the Emperor, who would not admit him into his presence unless he consented to the customary prostrations. At the same time, some differences are said to have arisen between Captain Maxwell, of his Majesty's ship Alceste, and the Chinese authorities at Canton, which had produced acts of violence on both sides. Apprehensions appear to be entertained that an interruption

of our intercourse with China may be the effect of this transaction. We trust that the next arrival from that quarter will dissipate these fears.

Another point to which it may be proper briefly to advert, is the discussion which has arisen respecting the treatment of Bonaparte at St. Helena. A person belonging to his suite, of the name of Santini, has arrived in England, and has published a Memorial which had been addressed by General Montholon to Sir Hudson Lowe, the governor, accompanied by some farther statements of his own. The obvious purpose of this publication is to excite an interest in this country in favour of Bonaparte; and it is sufficiently evident, that in the pursuit of this object effect alone is studied, and not truth. The situ ation of Bonaparte is necessarily a situation of restraint. He is a prisoner, and a prisoner under very peculiar circumstances. In such circumstances it requires but the exercise of a very moderate portion of ingenuity to invest his fate with interest, and to call forth feelings of commiseration in his favour. By keeping out of view the enormities which may have condemned an individual to the gloom of a dungeon: by slightly exaggerating or dexterously colouring admitted facts; and by exhibiting as real some of those touching operations of the mind which may exist only in the imagination of the writer; a sympathy might be excited for the sufferings of the very worst criminaleven for the murderer of the family of Marr, or of Williamson. In the case of Bonaparte, the publication of Santini has led to a discussion in the house of lords, and to explanations on the part of lord Bathurst, the secretary of state, which appear to us to have effectually removed the impressions produced by that work. Most if not all the evils of which Bonaparte complains, are either inseparable, in the nature of things, from a situation of restraint and confinement, or are the direct consequences of his own pride and obstinacy. He sullenly refuses, for example, to extend his ride beyond a certain limited distance, (about a mile and a half,) because, if he passes that limit, he must be accompanied by a military officer of the rank of captain; and then he complains bitterly that his health suffers from his not being allowed a wider range. The only complaint that appears to us not to have been satisfactorily explained, is

the scanty measure in which French wine, which forms, as is well known, the common beverage of Frenchmen, is stated to have been dealt out to him and his attendants. It would seem right to allow them an abundant supply of that article, instead of limiting them to six bottles a day.

The metropolis has continued in a state of tranquillity during the past month, if we except some clamorous expressions of popular feeling excited by the execution of John Cashman, one of the persons actively engaged, on the 2d of December last, in plundering the shop of Mr. Beckwith, the gunsmith, of arms. The last moments of this unhappy man were marked with an imposing fearlessness, accompanied by a hardened levity of behaviour, which was quite appalling, considering the circumstances in which he was placed. He rejected all spiritual counsel or assistance, joined in the shouts and exclamations of the populace, and went out of the world in the act of cheering them to perseverance in the cause, meaning, of course, the cause to which he fell a victim

We do not intend to discuss the expediency of capital punishments in general; but certainly it forms a considerable objection to the public exhibition of them, in cases like the present, that they may be employed to counteract the very ends of punishment.

In Somersetshire, some disturbances occurred among the coal-miners about the beginning of the month, but they were repressed by the firm and at the same time conciliating conduct of the magistrates, without leading to any fatal results. At Manchester, the disposition to insubordination assumed a more serious, because a more deliberate and systematic, appearance. Preparations having been previously made, a large assemblage took place, by public notice, of labourers and manufacturers, provided with blankets and other necessaries; who met for the purpose of proceeding in a body to London, with a petition to the prince regent for the redress of their grievances. It was expected that the deputation would have consisted, in the first instance, of at least 10,000 individuals, to whose number considerable additions were looked for in the course of their march. A large body of the petitioners had actually commenced their journey, when the civil power thought it necessary to interfere, and to prevent their further

progress. About 250 of these misguided individuals are said to have been arrested and sent to prison. What the issue would have been, had they been allowed to proceed on their wild and infatuated expedition it is impossible to say; but the probability is, that it would have been highly disastrous to the parties themselves, to say nothing of the danger threatened to the public peace. Their means of subsistence must have failed before they could accomplish their journey; and marching in such imposing numbers, they probably would not have been very scrupulous as to the mode of supplying their wants: and on the most favourable supposition, no benefit whatever could have resulted from it, to compensate for the expense to themselves, and the alarm to the public, of such a novel and hazardous enterprise. A few individuals have also been arrested at Glasgow, suspected of treasonable practices.

In parliament, the measures of security proposed, by lord Castlereagh, to be taken against our domestic dangers, have all been adopted by large majorities. These are, first, the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, until the 20th of July next; an act for the prevention of seditious meetings, similar to that which passed in 1795; and an act

for punishing the seduction of sailors or soldiers from their allegiance to his majesty. It is not our purpose to discuss the policy of these different enactments. We are persuaded that vigorous measures of precaution had become indispensable; and we entertain no great apprehensions, that open as all the acts of government are to parliamentary animadversion, and deserving as is the existing government of credit for its moderation, any evil can flow from the increase of power intrusted to it, which ought to be regarded as countervailing, in any sensible degree, the advantage likely to be produced under existing circumstances, by such an increase, in completely securing our internal tranquillity.

An effort has been again made to induce government to abandon the lottery as a measure of finance, but without success. We were happy, however, to perceive, in the speech of lord Castlereagh, a recognition of the immoral and consequently injurious tendency of this method of raising money; and an admission, that if a convenient substitute could be found for it, it ought to be given up. We may therefore regard the extinction of this public nuisance as not very distant.

Rev. John D. Perkins, East Teignmouth Perpetual Curacy, Devon.

Rev. John R. Fletcher, Gruetheke, otherwise Quethioke V. Cornwall.

Rev. Henry Robinson, B.A. Otley V. and Farnley Perpetual Curacy, co. York.

Rev. Samuel Whitlock Gandy, M.A. Kingstone upon Thames V. Surrey, vice Savage, deceased.

Rev. Philip Durham, M. A. a Minor Canon of Ely Cathedral, vice Stephens, deceased.

Rev. W. Molesworth, Beauworthy R. Devon, and St. Breake R. Cornwall.