on condition that we complete the examination of the females and of the old men that day, and I baptize in the evening, he consented to return on the day following. Accordingly a little before sunset, he was carried out in his bed to the water side, where, lifting his languid head to gaze on the gratifying scene, I had the pleasure to baptize in his presence thirty-four individuals, who gave satisfactory evidence to all, that they had passed from death unto life. After this, he seemed to feel that his work was done; he had said in the course of the day that if he could live to see this ingathering, he could in a special manner say, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. On Thursday morning we started on our return; when we arrived at the first house, its inmates refused us admittance. With some difficulty we got him into a covered corner of the verandah, in a very exhausted state. Through the assiduous attention, however, of sister Boardman, he appeared to revive, and he did not seem materially different on the succeeding morning from what he had been for several days. Still it was very evident that the closing scene of his earthly existence was rapidly approaching, and we concluded, with his approbation, to take him in a boat down a stream which was near, and which passes within three or four miles of Tavoy. He was carried out of the house, or rather from the house, by the Karens, who put him on board the boat, and sister Boardman and myself followed. But on turning to see if he wanted any thing, we found his countenance fixed in death, and it were difficult to determine whether he breathed or not. Thus did this indefatigable missionary die, as every missionary would wish to die, about his Master's business, and surrounded by those in whose conversion from heathenism he had been instrumental. The evening before, on asking him what I should read to him, he said the 34th Psalm. He remarked a few days ago, "I have no transports, no extacies; mine. is rather a calm, settled hope on the atoning blood of Christ." On Wednesday evening, he was bolstered up in his bed, and at family worship prayed, speaking with great feeling of the love of Christ, of wholly trusting in him for pardon and justification from his "infinite sins," nor closed without remembering his poor Karens. Almost the last words I heard him utter yesterday were, to tell sister Boardman that he had felt to pray more for his child than he had ever done before. Alas! my brother, I have lost a friend of whom I had just seen enough to love. But what is my loss compared with that of his widowed companion? You who knew something of the affection existing between them,may form some faint conception of her feelings. He was respected as well as loved by all who knew him, and his funeral this morning was attended by all the European gentlemen and officers of the station. Of the Karens I can say nothing at present, except that they are a very interesting people, and a people for whom I feel most deeply interested. We want here, at the present moment, a full set of the infant school apparatus, and whatever else is used in schools that addresses itself to the external senses. Respectfully yours, FRANCIS MASON. LETTER FROM REV. MR. WADE Maulmein, Feb. 28, 1831. Dear Sir, Your very acceptable letter by the hand of brother Jones, I had the pleasure of receiving about a week since. We feel thankful for the affection and kindness which you and Mrs. Sharp express for us. ceived nothing but kindness from Though unworthy, we have reour Christian friends all the time we have been in this heathen land, and we rejoice that we have the assurance that their kindness is expressed not only by their letters, but also, by the fervent prayers which without ceasing they offer up to God on our behalf. Convinced as we are that the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much, it greatly encourages us in our various labors to reflect that while we are using the means for enlightening the dark minds of the heathen, tho in Rangoon, writes, that he wants a thousand per week, and they are called for at his house. You will perceive by the Report for 1830, that 84,000 tracts were printed up to Jan. 1, 1831. Since which time an edition of 20,000 of the View has been commenced and is now in progress; and in addition to the 45,222 tracts distributed up to the 1st of Jan. 1830, there has been 27,281 since, making in the whole 72,503 tracts distributed in less than one year. For one year ago none of the above were printed. It is designed to follow this edition of the View with 10,000 Catechisms four pages, 10,000 Investivator 16 pages, and probably then the Balance, as there are only about 4,000 left of an edition of 10,000 printed in December last. This will not all be completed probably until the end of May, when John's epistles or Luke will most likely be issued. sands are unitedly praying for our success. And those that are thus praying for the success of our labors are, we trust, encouraged in their turn by hearing from time to time, of individuals who are turned from their dumb idols to the service of the living God. We have lately had most encouraging accounts from Tavoy, of the work of God among the Karens; at one time thirty-four were received by baptism into the church, and the whole number of this race of people in that vicinity who have been baptized is sixty-nine. Is this not encouraging? Will not the hearts of those rejoice who have offered up their unceasing prayers for the salvation of the heathen? Will not those be glad who have cheerfully contributed their mites for the preaching of the gospel among the heathen? Will not some of the young men who have been commanded by the Saviour to go unto all the We received by our brothers world and preach the gospel to Kincard and Mason, two hundred every creature, feel their spirits and sixteen reams of paper, and by stirred within them, when they brother Jones two hundred and hear the news that so many in a twelve more, three canisters of ink, single vicinity have been baptized, roll skins, &c. The ink, and roll and fifty-two of them within the skins, were very seasonably relast three months? But alas! sor- ceived, as I was than printing with row is mingled with the joy which ink made in Maulmein. I had we feel on this occasion. Our written for ink, and roll skins, but beloved brother and fellow laborer, my letters could not have reached Mr. Boardinan, who was blessed America, when this was shipped. of God to the conversion of these Another press I wrote for some souls, is gone. time since, and hope it is ere now on its way to this country. J. WADE. We enjoy very tolerable health generally. I feel that I am fast wearing away, and soon, very soon it will be said of me, he is gone. But I feel it matters not, if while we live, we work the work of Him, who calls us, and are not slothful, but faithful servants. There seems to be more than common interest in the English church, the attendance having increased to between fifty and sixty. Many who were formerly intemperate, have adopted the principle of entire abstinence, and some with complete success. Dear sir, pray for us, as I doubt not you daily do, and permit me to subscribe myself in haste, yours affectionately, C. BENNETT. Agreeably to the request of this body, which held its late interesting session in Roxbury, Sept. 21 and 22, we very cheerfully insert the following valuable Letter, written by Professor Chase, of the Newton Institution. THE DUTY OF GIVING CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION TO CHILDREN. Dear Brethren, It is not to a novel subject, but to one which, nevertheless, must always possess a fresh and touching interest that we now solicit your attention, THE DUTY OF GIVING CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION TO CHILDREN. This duty is, in the first place, the dictate of reason and affection. Reason requires that the ignorant be instructed. And the more important the knowledge, the stronger is the argument, for its being communicated. And the greater our affection for the persons needing instruction, the more intense is our desire to have them instructed. Who does not pronounce it suitable that children be taught those things which may be useful to them in the present life? And who that loves his children does not desire to have them taught? Now we take it for granted, that the knowledge of the Christian religion is more valuable than the knowledge of any other subject; for it fills the mind with the brightest conceptions of purity and benevolence; and it is connected with what It is, has the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. then, most manifestly and most emphatically, the dictate of reason and affection, that christian instruction be given to children. Besides, this duty is clearly implied in the general direction to make the gospel known. In the command of our Saviour, Preach the gospel to every creature, it is clear that he would have Christian instruction given to all who are capable of being instructed. The common sense of every man understands the direction as having reference to moral agents only, and to all moral agents belonging to the human family. The gospel is to be preached to all; and we are to encourage its ministers to go forth to instruct the most distant nations. Surely then, our own children are not to be neglected; but as soon as they can understand, they are to be taught the simple and affecting story of our redemption, the first principles of the oracles of God. But further, the duty of giving Christian instruction to children is expressly enjoined. The sacred scriptures exhibit this duty in the most direct and positive manman: Provoke not your children to wrath, says an Apostle, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.* Nurture is the more general term, in dictating the education or training up of children, which, we know, comprehends instruction and example, rewards and punishments, and whatever may be necessary in this work. Admonition, as here used, directs our attention particularly to the mind of the child, as that with which we have especially to do; and we are here taught that this nurture and admonition, or instilling into the mind, must be conformable to the spirit and instructions of our Lord. So clear and prominent is the duty. It is the manifest dictate of reason and affection; it is implied in the general direction to make the gospel known; and it is expressly enjoined. It rests, therefore, on an immovable foundation; and we need no other. In view of these considerations, it is to be hoped that we shall all feel the force of the obligations that rest upon us. But it may be useful to mention some additional considerations by which also we should be urged to the performance of this duty. Consider the susceptibility of the mind in childhood. This has always been proverbial. In childhood the mind has not the prejudices with which it is likely to be filled at a later period. It is more candid; and the impressions which it then receives are the most likely to be permanent. The evil propensity has not become strengthened by long habits of thinking and acting in an unworthy and unchristian manner. The child exhibits a frankness, and deference, and docility, the most encouraging. And we know that if his mind be not early imbued with correct sentiments, it will be with false and pernicious ones. Consider the effect on the community. Children will be either blessings or curses to their parents and to the community. Think of a child brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. You may hope to see him dutiful to his parents, their delight and their glory. Follow him through the periods of youth and of manhood. What a salutary influence he exerts on all his companions! and what a profusion of benefits does he scatter around him, in whatever sphere he may move. Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.'t But, on the other hand, think of the unhappy child that has not received Christian instruction. What can you expect but that he will be the grief of his mother? Destitute of Christian principle, he will be the easy victim of temptation. He corrupts the principles and habits of others. Or, if he does not absolutely become a pest in society, he at least fails of doing that amount of good which he might have been the honored instrument of accomplishing. Should he, at mature age, through the riches of divine grace, become truly religious, how will he deplore that in childhood his Christian education was neglected, and that from a child he had not known the holy scriptures. In thirty or forty years, the dearest interests of the community will be in the hands of those who are now children. How important that we do what we can to cause that the generation which shall arise, may be a generation to praise the Lord, and to diffuse throughout all the walks of life a pure and happy influence. Consider the consequences beyond the grave. * Eph. vi. 4. + Prov. xxii. 6. If a child be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, there is reason to trust not only that this Christian instruction will have a good influ ence upon him in the present life, but also that it will be so blessed as to make him 'wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."* But if a child grow up in ignorance and contempt of Christian truth and duty, there is an alarming probability not only that he will be worse than useless in this life, but also that he will die in his sins, and fall under that solemn declaration of the Saviour, Whither I go, ye cannot comeł. Most of those in a Christian land who have given evidence of having become truly pious, we have reason to believe, had some truths of the gospel deeply impressed on their minds at an early age. The seed of divine truth sown in the tender mind, may lie buried long, but we may hope it will not be lost. Yes, for this we may hope and pray. How often has the recollection of truths, affectionately inculcated in childhood, been brought afresh to the mind at a later period, with an overwhelming power. The tongue of the faithful parent may now be silent in the grave; and the eye that once beamed on the child with parental and Christian love, may now be seen no more; but the instruction, and the patience and tender solicitude with which it was imparted, fill the soul of the hitherto careless wanderer with deep emotion, and become the most prominent among the means of his conversion to God. In this view of the matter, there is, certainly, great encouragement; but there is still greater, in another view which we are permitted to take. As connected with the truly Christian instruction of our children, we may hope, and we should hope, for their early conversion-for their being brought even in early childhood to a saving acquaintance with religion, to repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. Why should we not? The gospel is remarkable for its simplicity. A child may understand it. Many a young child has understood it, so far as its first principles are concerned, and has felt its heavenly power, and given ample evidence of being truly regenerate. In the time of our Saviour, there were such children. And it is not improbable that he selected one of these, when he rebuked the ambitious contention of his disciples. On this occasion, according to the record of Matthew, 'Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.' In Luke, this last declaration is expressed thus: Whosoever shall receive this child in my name, receiveth me.'§ And Matthew immediately adds the words of the Saviour, 'But whoso shall offend, or cause to sin, one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.' On another occasion there were brought unto our Lord little children that he should put his hands on them and pray: And the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven-Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.¶ *2 Tim. iii. 15. † John viii. 21, 22. Matt. xix. 13, 14. Matt. xviii. 2-5. § Luke ix. 48. |