from lying vanities to serve the living and true God: and Anun derayer often goes and visits the people in their own houses, where he has long conversations with them on the great concerns of their souls.

Thus, my dear Sir, you see how eminently useful these men may prove to this mission. O then unite with us in praying for them, that they may be divested of all sinister views and motives -that for that warmth of temper and hastiness of spirit, so peculiar to the Hindoo character, may be substituted the humility of the gospel, and that meek and quiet spirit which is of great price in the sight of God; and that they may, day by day, feel more of the constraining influence of Christ's love shed abroad in their hearts-judging that if one died for all, then were all dead-and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again.

MADRAS.

Extract of a letter from the Rev. C. Traveller.

Madras, May 12, 1819. The heathen are inquiring, becoming serious, and some are converted; one is united in church-membership with us, and continues steadfast, notwithstanding the fierce persecution he has had to experience. I hope, ere long, he will become a herald of salvation, and through him the word of life will be sounded forth in all the regions round about. The brethren have placed him under my care for instruction, and he is now studying books on divinity, writing English exercises, translating catechisms into the Tamul language. I have given him your sermons to translate, some of which he has preached to native Christians, and heathen, in their own tongue. I thought it prudent that he should do this at first, it being a means of storing his mind with divine truth. It will also teach him the method observed in the composition of sermons. I trust God will keep him faithful; his conduct since under my care, has been consistent; his disposition humble, and his concern for his countrymen such as affords satisfactory proof of his conversion to God, and his desire to honour Christ: pray for him, I beseech you, that he may continue an ornament to the cause of our blessed Redeemer.

Since my arrival at Madras, I have had two public disputations with Brahmins, who actually requested an investigation into the Christian religion, when I undertook to prove the infinite superiority of the Christian scheme of salvation to any other, and the absurdity of idol worship, even upon rational principles, and the guilt attached to all who adhere to it. My house, on the first evening, was numerously attended with both Brahmins and others of different castes, besides a number of the descendants of Europeans.

On the second, it was crowded to excess, and my verandas, both back and front, were occupied by the natives. After making a number of inquires with a view to ascertain the natural and moral tendency of their religion, and then to institute a comparison between it and the Christian, we were detained. The question I proposed appeared too intricate for the Brahmin's solution; and being unable to give satisfaction, on being urged repeatedly to do so, he was severely animadverted upon by the numerous friends he had called together, and has since been the object of sport and derision of the greater part of his countrymen who were present on the occasion.

ASIATIC ISLANDS.

From the Rev. Joseph Kam, Vice-President of the Amboyna Bible Society, to the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Amboyna, May 21, 1819.

Last month I received the first fruits of your labours for the good of this populous colony-six boxes with the New Testament in the Malay language. We are very desirous of receiving the old Testament likewise, and I hope you will supply us with it; for to this day I do not possess a copy of it as my property.

In consequence of the dreadful circumstances which have lately taken place, our society, as well as the work of God in general, has suffered very much in this colony; yet through infinite mercy, we enjoy at present a comparatively better state of peace and quietness. By the arrival of the New Testaments we are also again able to open new subscriptions among our religious friends, assisted by our present excellent Governor Kruythoff: he is very favourable to the propagation of religious knowledge among the natives of this colony, who manifest a great desire after the word of God in their own language.

The idea of our present Governor, as well as of many of our old members, is, that we should attach ourselves to the Auxiliary Society of Batavia, in order to facilitate our correspondence with the Parent Institution, in London.

When I lately arrived at a large Negary, (village,) the name of which is Lileboi, north-west from Amboyna, upwards of 800 persons, in order to convince me of the reality of their faith in the only true and living God, brought all their idols before me, and acknowledged their foolishness. I advised them to pack them all up in a large box, (into which they formerly used to be put for their night's rest,) and to place a heavy load of stones upon them, and to drown them in the depth of the sea, in my presence. They all agreed to follow my advice: a boat was made ready for the purpose; and with a great shout they were carried out of the Negary, and launched into the bosom of the deep. After this business was over, we sang the first four verses of the cxxxvi. Psalm. This is the fruit of the gospel of Christ.

ABYSSINIA.

The February number of Extracts from the Correspondence of the British and Foreign Bible Society, contains the fac-simile of an Ethiopic letter, addressed, by direction of the late king ITSA TAKLEY GORGES, to HENRY SALT, Esq. British Consul at Grand Cairo, who had forwarded to Abyssinia, by Mr. PEARCE, some copies of the Ethiopic Psalter, placed at his disposal by the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The following is a translation of this curious document. May this epistle, which has been sent by Pearce Nathanael, reach the prince of nobles and priests, Salt. How is thy health, my lord and friend, exalted as heaven and earth? May the Lord refresh thy days! Amen, and amen.

66

"The book of the Psalms of David is exceedingly good, and very beautiful-so say all the men of Ethiopia. It is, however, the custom in Ethiopia, with the Psalms of David, to have the Meditations of the Prophets; (15 sections ;) the Song of Solomon; (5 sections ;) and the seven daily Hymns to our Lady Mary, written with illuminated head-pieces. With the Psalms of David, therefore, write those that are to be written: viz. The fifteen sections of the Meditations of the Prophets; five of the Song of Solomon; and the Hymn of Mary.

With regard to the Book of the Psalms, which you sent me prior to this, it is said to be small, (i. e. printed in a small letter,) though it is esteemed. There is, moreover, no red writing, with which they adorn and beautify all the books of both Old and New Testaments. In the same manner also make the writing of the four Gospels in both red and black ink, that the men of Ethiopia may admire them; and that thou mayest obtain the salvation of the self-existing God, as Elias and Enoch did, for ever and ever; Amen.

"This epistle, which has been written by Wáhá Denghel, brother of Leësta, whom you loved, is, my lord, to inquire after your health; from one who is desirous of your arrival, and speaks the word of truth, O Salt, prince of princes!

"Remember me in your prayers,and love me, for I shall love you much; even as you have loved my brother Leësta. And may the Lord preserve you, both in your going out and coming in, henceforth and for ever, Amen. (Psalm cxxi. 8.)

"I, Wáhá, shall pray for your prosperity, though distant from you.

"P. S. Make cases for all the books, singly; for no one can suppose you unable; and all believe you to be the chief."

HOLLAND.

NETHERLANDS MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Summary of the Report from the Directors of the Missionary Society at Rotterdam, for 1819.

The Rev. E. Kist, of Dordrecht, opened the business of the day with a short but impressive discourse upon Ps. lxxviii. 7. in

which he compared the unhappy state of our forefathers, who were heathen, with the salutary change which had since taken. place, in consequence of which we are now acquainted with the gospel of Christ, and the duty of showing our thankfulness for it, in spreading Christianity among the heathen.

The Report was then read to a very numerous meeting of subscribers, and began by stating, that, as our fields and gardens do not produce every year the same crop, but sometimes more and sometimes less, so it was with the annual accounts which the Directors present to the members of the society. On the present occasion they had to communicate great and good things.

Their labours had been continued uninterruptedly; their monthly meetings during the last year well attended; their respective Committees faithfully fulfilled their duties, and their secretaries have been as indefatigable as ever.

The Report further says, that the Directors have been enabled to proceed in their labours, and even to extend them, by several legacies and donations during the past year, and by an increase of many respectable subscribers, from whom assistance, in different ways, our society may confidently look for.

In Rotterdam and Amsterdam, associations have been formed for the purpose of receiving penny subscriptions, and good success has already been experienced; and there is hardly any doubt but in other places also similar associations will be formed. And these encouragements are so many motives for thankfulness, and for proceeding with redoubled zeal in their labours.

The Directors further report the arrival of six natives of Africa on the coast of Guinea, who, after having had proper instruction in Holland, were sent at the expense of the Dutch government, and will be employed in its settlement to instruct their countrymen in reading, writing, and the first principles of religion.

The Directors go on to mention, that they have great hopes that Erasmus Simon, a Jew, who embraced Christianity and was publicly baptized at Rotterdam, may soon proceed in carrying his intention into execution, and preaching, like St. Paul, to Jews and heathens, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world.

The Report then concludes in stating what the Directors have been enabled to do among the lower classes of the people in Holland, and that 11,000 tracts have been distributed among the poor.

IRELAND.

The Pope has issued a circular letter to the Irish prelates against "Bible schools," in which he expresses great concern and fear, lest the circulation of the scriptures, translated into English by "the Bible Society, and abounding in errors,"

amongst the lower classes in that country, should overthrow the power of his holiness, and the people become heretics!

"Bible schools, supported by the funds of the Catholics," says the bull, "have been established in almost every part of Ireland, in which, under the pretence of charity, the inexperienced of both sexes, but particularly peasants and paupers, are allured by the blandishments and even gifts of the masters, are infected with the fatal poison of depraved doctrines.

"Every possible exertion must therefore be made to keep the youth away from these destructive schools; to warn parents against suffering their children, on any account whatever, to be led into error. But, for the purpose of escaping the "snares" of the adversaries, no plan seems more appropriate than that of establishing schools, wherein salutary instructions may be imparted to paupers and illiterate country persons.

"In the name, then, of the bowels (of the mercy) of our Lord Jesus Christ, we exhort and beseech your Lordship to guard your flock with diligence, and all due discretion, from those who are in the habit of thrusting themselves insidiously into the fold of Christ, in order thereby to lead the unwary sheep astray: and, mindful of the forewarning of Peter the apostle, given in these words, viz.

"There shall also be lying masters among you, who shall bring in sects of perdition," 2 Pet. ii. 8. Do you labour with all your might to keep the orthodox youth from being corrupted by them -an object which will, I hope, be easily effected by the estab lishing of Catholic schools throughout your diocese."

This document has been received in Ireland, and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, has issued a circular letter in perfect accordance with it. On the other hand, Dr. Walsh, Roman Catholic Bishop of Waterford, has addressed his diocese in a charge, enjoining the perusal of the scriptures, and stating that the Douay and English Bibles do not essentially differ.

It is said the Hibernian Bible Society intend to print the Douay version, without note or comment, under the sanction of some of the Roman Catholic Bishops.

The various reports and correspondence which we have before us, evidently show that the Bible is eagerly sought for by the Catholics, in defiance of the injunction of the Pope and Archbishop.

WEST INDIES.

HAYTI.

From King Henry (of Hayti) to the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth, President of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

MY LORD, The particular esteem which I entertain for your Lordship, has made me observe, that it is long since I have heard from you, I can give you no other proof of the concern I feel for