so it will remain; for, the counterpoise to it, which he has proposed, arising from the silence of Papias, has been shown to have very little weight *.

I shall now request my readers to review the Biographical Chart presented to them. They will there observe, that by the addition, which is made to the writers of the second century, by the testimonies of Hippolitus and Origen, the evidence is carried down 150 years from the first publication of the Apocalypse. This evidence is abundant, (surprisingly so, considering the mysterious nature of the book ;) it is constant and uninterruptedt. At no time does it depend upon any single testimony; many writers testify at the same period; and these witnesses are nearly all the great names of ecclesiastical antiquity ‡. To their evidence, which is for the most part positive and express, no contradictory testimony of an external kind has been opposed. No one has alleged against the Apocalypse such arguments as these :"It is not preserved in the archives of the Seven Asiatic "Churches. The oldest persons in those cities have no "knowledge of its having been sent thither: no one ever 66 saw it during the life of John. It was introduced in such "and such a year, but it was contradicted as soon as it ap❝peared§."

* In Chap. iii.

It may be observed, that although many writers give their testimony, yet a very few witnesses may be selected, who can be supposed to have delivered down the evidence in succession, during the first one hundred and fifty years of the Apocalypse. For instance, these three, Polycarp, Irenæus, Origen; or, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Origen. A long tradition has more credibility attached to it, than when it has passed through but few hands.

Every writer quoted by Lardner in the first volume, part ii. of his credibility of the Gospel History, except two or three, of whom short fragments only remain, is to be found in our list, and this volume contains all the writers who gave testimony to any of the Sacred Scriptures, during almost the whole of the first century after the Apocalypse was published. Sir Isaac Newton asserts truly, that "no other book of the New Testament is so strongly at"tested, or commented upon, as this." Sir Isaac Newton on Daniel and the Apocalypse, part ii. c. 1. 2. 219.

§ These arguments are candidly and judiciously suggested by Michaelis, and he allows considerable weight to them. (p. 484.) But, in a note subjoined, he endeavours to invalidate them by observing,

1. That" only a few extracts from the writings of the ancient adversaries of the Apocalypse are now extant, the writings themselves being lost."

2. That "the ancient advocates for the Apocalypse have likewise not alleged any historical arguments in its defence."

To these objections we will answer shortly;

1. If the learned professor had allowed any weight to this kind of argumeut, when he reviewed the evidence of Ignatius and Papias, he could not have pronounced their silence, "< as a decisive argument," against the Apocalypse.

Upon the whole, the candid examiner cannot but perceive, that the external evidence for the authenticity and divine inspiration of the Apocalypse is of preponderating weight; and that Michaelis is by no means justifiable in representing it, when placed in the scale against the contrary evidence, as suspended in equipoise. It is a complete answer to the assertions of his third section*, to affirm, (and we now see that we can truly affirm it,) that the authenticity of the book was never doubted by the Church, during the first century after it was published: and that it was received with especial reverence, as divine Scripture, by the Asiatic Churches, to which it was addressed, and by their colonies.

(To be continued.)

But there is a difference in the two cases, a difference, which is in favour of the Apocalypse. The short writings, or extracts now extant, may easily be supposed not to contain all, or perhaps any, of the testimonies which they bore to this book, which, from its mysterious contents, they cannot be expected often to have quoted. And if such testimonies were lost, they would not be renewed by subsequent authors, from whom all that we should have to expect would be such a general testimony as Andreas Cæsariensis gives of Papias, namely, that Papias bore evidence to the Apocalypse. But if in any of the writings of the ancient adversaries of the book, any such arguments as these suggested by Michaelis had been inserted, they could not have sunk into oblivion. A book asserted to be divine, yet having at the same time such internal evidence against it, as Dionysius has produced, would be ever regarded with a jealous eye; and if the Alogi, or Caius, or Dionysius, (and these are all the adversaries of whom we hear,) had recorded any such allegation against the Apocalypse, it would have been repeated and re-echoed by its adversaries through all the ages of the Church. But if there were any foundation for such allegations, Polycarp and Melito, bishops of the Seven Churches, would not have suffered the Apocalypse to pass in their days to Irenæus, as a work received by those Churches from Saint John.

2. On the second objection we may observe, that where there was no contradiction, there most certainly needed no proof. The silent admission of the Apocalypse, by the early fathers, makes greatly in its favour. No controversy, shows no doubt. And how stands the evidence in the case of other acknowledged books of the sacred canon? Are we expected to prove that all the epistles of Saint Paul were deposited in the archives of the respective Churches to which they were written? Far otherwise: no such proof is made; none such is reasonably expected. We show that the epistles were undoubtedly received by the early writers of the Church; this is proof suff cient; and we have this proof abundantly for the authenticity of the ApoeaJypse.

P. 486.

VOL. IV.-No. 1.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

FOREIG N.

Report of the Directors to the London Missionary Society, at their sixteenth general meeting, on Thursday, May 10, 1810.

TH

HE great duty of disseminating the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the Heathen nations, appears to be better understood by serious Christians than in former days. This Society owes its existence, and its continuance, to sense of this duty; actuated by which, their liberal contributions have enabled the Directors to continue their exertions in the support of Missions already established, and to send forth several additional labourers into the extensive field. The Directors to whom the Society intrusted the management of their concerns for the past year, now present to them a summary account of their proceedings: and although they have not the gratification of relating any very remarkable instances of success, they trust that their Report will be found, on the whole, satisfactory and encouraging; will show that the grand work in which they are engaged is in a prosperous and improving state; will furnish an occasion of new thanksgivings to the God of all grace, and animate the Society to persevere in the most vigorous exertions to diffuse the savour of the knowledge of Christ in every part of the world.

The Directors will first report the progress of their faithful Missionaries in Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA.

BETHELSDORP.

DR. VANDER KEMP and his associates continue, with unremitting assiduity, their benevolent labours at this institution, and in several of the native kraals which are within a convenient distance to admit of their occasional visits: and the blessing of God accompanies their zealous exertions. From a summary account both of the external and spiritual state of that Mission, we select the following extracts :"The external state of Bethelsdorp puts on gradually a more promising appearance: the people become more in

dustrious. The knitting-school flourishes, under the direction of Brother Read's wife. Formerly we had no corn of ●ur own; but this year the Lord has shown that it is in his power literally to change a desert into fertile ground, by affording, throughout the whole year, such an abundance of rain, that we have been enabled to sow wheat and barley sufficient for our provision, which is almost ripe, and promises a copious harvest. The number of inhabitants also increases, so that we have been obliged to surround the square which forms Bethelsdorp with a second, and that with a third square, which, in all probability, will soon be filled up. Our fields are covered with cattle, amounting to about 1200 head, not including the sheep and the goats. There is such an abundance of milk and butter, that this last article has been employed in manufacturing soap. Other necessary articles, as clothing, corn, and flour, are brought by the boors in waggons, as to a market-place."

It is impossible to contemplate the short sketch here given of the outward state of things in this Missionary station, without the most pleasing and grateful emotions. How remarkable is the contrast which it exhibits, to the rude and unproductive condition in which the Missionaries found it a few years ago! What a rapid advance towards civilization has Christianity produced in so short a space! How greatly has it promoted the comfort of life, and raised the human character from the lowest state of degradation to some degree of social order and intellectual improvement! This will become more apparent, from the following extract relating to the spiritual state of the mission: As to the state of religion, we have so much more reason to praise and glorify the holy name of God, as spiritual blessings outweigh those of the world. The word of life is by no means lifeless among us and although we cannot well estimate the number of those who, we have reason to believe, are favoured with a saving knowledge of Christ, on count of their concealing, in great part, the inward disposition of their hearts; yet, from what we hear accidentally from others, we believe it to be considerable. There are, however, not a few in whom the work of converting grace is more evident to us. Among these we number two slaves, and a Hottentot, who frequently come over on the Sunday to hear the word of God: and three Kaffree women, one of whom, called Leentjee, was remarkable for integrity of life, and not less for assiduity and fervour in prayer. She was taken ill at a farm in our neighbourhood, and desired to see Brother Vander Kemp, who fetched her home in a waggon,

ac

and took her to his house. Here she spent almost night and day in prayer and close communion with Christ. One morning she sent for Brother Vander Kemp, requesting him to give her love to all the people of God, and to be laid in the open air: which being done, she said, "Now I will go to my God;" and whilst Brother Vander Kemp, who expected that the disease would be lingering, placed a mat round about her to screen her from the rays of the sun, he observed that she turned herself on her side, and inclined her head upon her arm, as if going to sleep; but looking more attentively at her, was surprised to find that her last enemy was destroyed before any symptom of conflict could be observed. She walked with God, and was not; for God took her."

Dr. Vander Kemp and his colleagues express a strong persuasion that the institution of an orphan-house at Bethelsdorp would be productive of the most beneficial effects; and he has made application to the government at the Cape for their sanction and assistance; but has not yet received any reply. As it appears to us an object of great importance, we think it proper to give the following extract from Dr. Vander Kemp's letter on the subject:-" There is, I believe, no place where an orphan-house is more necessary than at Bethelsdorp. In other places, it serves only for the education of orphans, and children abandoned by their parents; but at Bethelsdorp, and in general among the Hottentots, the education of children is so shamefully neglected, that we fear the rising generation, which is numerous, will become burdensome and even dangerous to the colony, unless some efficacious means be adopted, by which children, belonging to the institution, may, from their infancy, be accustomed to an industrious and decent life. To this end, nothing seems to us more conducive than a kind of seminary, in which not only orphans, but children whose education may be neglected by their parents, may be constrained to labour for their subsistence. The fund for the support of this, may perhaps, in part, be raised by benevolent subscribers in England, and in part also by the product of the labours of the children themselves, who may be employed in manufacturing soap, mats, straw hats, baskets, leather caps, and fishing-nets; in taylors', shoemakers', carpenters', or smiths' work. A knitting-school, and one for needic-work, will be necessary. Brother Ullbricht is ready to introduce weaving. Some may be employed in collecting socotorine aloes, which Bethelsdorp produces in large quantities: but the introduction of these employments will be gradual and slow, and require an almost Herculean labour."