accounts from their missions which must rejoice the heart of every disciple of Christ. From these numbers we select the following extracts, which will, we trust, prove peculiarly acceptable to our readers.

CEYLON.

EXTRACT FROM A JOINT LETTER OF THE

them as lambs among wolves, and enabled them so generally to let their light shine before men, and thus publicly to manifest their firm attachment to the Saviour.

Second Revival of Religion.

Though the first revival declined very considerably, we were all of us led to entertain strong hopes, that the Lord would soon visit us again in mercy. Nor were our expectations disappointed: About the middle of October last, we began to discover some very pleasing indications, that the Lord was near, and waiting to be gracious. Many of the native members of our church were unusually stirred up to seck the Lord by fasting and prayer, and to intercede with much earnestness for the outpouring of the Spirit, and the conversion of sinners. Some of them, who had, for a long time, been walking in darkness, and concerning whom we had entertained some fears, were now revived, and made to rejoice in the Lord, and be active in seeking the salvation of others.

MISSIONARIES, DATED FEB. 12, 1825. During the past year, we have been laid under peculiar obligations to praise the Lord for the manifestations of his love and mercy to us, and to this people. Verily he hath crowned the year with his goodness. He hath blessed us in temporal and spiritual things. He has preserved the lives, and in a good degree the health, of all our number, and granted us increased facilities for pursuing the work of the|| mission. But above all, it hath pleased him graciously to pour out his Spirit here, and grant us two special seasons of refreshing from his presence. Of the commencement of the first of these, we gave you some account in our letter of Feb. 28, 1824; and to that letter we now refer you for an account of the first six weeks of the revival. We are happy to say, that the work continued steadily to advance, for a considerable time after that letter was written, and then declined gradually.|| But the happy fruits of it are still seen and felt at all our stations. Some, as we had reason to expect, who appeared well for a time, went back to the world, and thus shewed by their conduct that they were only "stoney ground hearers." A goodly number, however, we rejoice to|| say, have "brought forth fruit with patience," and continued to stand firm amidst much ridicule, contempt, and persecution from their heathen relations. Thus they shew, that they fear God rather than man, and evince a willingness and determination to forsake all for Christ. Considering the youth and inexpressions, were now awakened again. perience of most of them, the difficulties of their situation among this heathen people, and the numerous and powerful temptations, with which they are surrounded, we have great reason to admire the grace of God, that has preserved

About this time, also, an unusual spirit of prayer was manifest among ourselves, and we were led to make our requests unto Him who heareth prayer. On the 21st of October, our quarterly season of communion was attended by all the brethren and sisters. It proved a joyful day to our souls, and a season of sweet communion with each other, and with our ascended Saviour. We trust that rather an unusual spirit of attachment to each other, and to all the members of the body of Christ, was manifest on that day. What we saw among ourselves, and among the native members of the church, were evident tokens that the work was begun. Accordingly, soon after this time, some special seriousness was manifest at all our stations. A considerable number, who were awakened in the former revival, but had lost most of their serious im

The greatest part of the members of our Charity Boarding Schools, several assistants in our families, schoolmasters, and native assistants in the schools, were more or less affected by divine truth. Several of them hope that they have been

born of the Spirit. But on this point, we
would speak with great caution, and ra-
ther wait till we see abiding fruits of their
conversion. Judging from their conduct
during the last two or three months, we
may say, however, that we indulge a
hope that a considerable number have
passed from death unto life.

Admission of Native Converts to the
Church.

decent, the top and sides were lined with white cloth, and the floor covered with mats. The mats were sent from our seve||ral stations, and the cloth will be used for our Charity Boarding Schools.

The missionaries then state what were the publick exercises on the occasion, and proceed to remark :

After the address, the following question was proposed to the people: "Who among you are sincerely desirous of becoming Christians, and are determined earnestly to seek the salvation of your souls?" All such being requested to rise, immediately more than one hundred, unconnected with the church, stood up before the assembly, and then publicly declared their belief in the Christian Reli

The cholera morbus being prevalent, and there having been rain the night before, many persons were prevented from attending. The number of people present, however, could not have been less You will rejoice to hear that the first than from twelve to fifteen hundred. The number of persons received into the fruits of the revival, at the commencement of the year 1824, have already been church at that time, was forty-one. Of gathered into the church. This was done these, thirty-six belonged to our Charity on the 20th of last month. As that was, Boarding Schools, and five were from on many accounts, a day of peculiar in- || among the people. All, except eight of terest to us, you will undoubtedly be this number, were baptized at that time." pleased with a short account of it. As many of the hopeful converts were young, and liable to deceive themselves and others, we thought it prudent to keep them on trial for a longer time than is customary in our native land. It has been our usual practice heretofore, to receive the hopeful converts into the church at the several stations with which they were connected; though we consider ourselves, and all our native members, as forming but one church. But on this ocoasion it appeared important to us to deviate from our usual course, and to re-gion, and their intention to become the ceive them all together. To induce many people to come together on the occasion, even more than could be accommodated in any of our places of public worship; also to strengthen the hands and encourage the hearts of the native members of our church, and to honor the Lord in the sight of this people; we were induced to erect a temporary building for the services of the day, in the village of Santillepay, which is nearly in the centre of all our stations. Though the building was 100 feet long, and 66 feet wide, yet as it was not more than twelve or fourteen feet high, with a flat roof, and covered on the top and sides with badjans (the braided leaf of the cocoanut tree,) the whole expense of it was small. Considering that we have the materials, of which it was constructed, on hand, the whole cost of preparing it for the occasion, was not probably more than 40 Spanish dollars. To render the appearance of it neat and

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disciples of Jesus Christ. Some of this number are already, we trust, the humble followers of the Lamb, and will probably, in the course of this year, publicly profess their faith in Christ, by being receiv ed into the church. We have determined, by leave of Providence, to hold another general meeting, in the same place, on Thursday, the 21st of July next, for the purpose of receiving the remainder of those, who have been hopefully converted during the past year. Should this letter reach you before that time, and in season for our patrons and friends to be made acquainted with our intentions, may we not hope that they will remember us in a special manner at the throne of grace on that day; and that, in answer to their prayers, the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon the assembly?

While the audience was dispersing, we united in singing, "Come let us anew our journey pursue." Though the exercises

were long, the attention of the audience || patrons and friends. As the ship does not was kept up till the end. Many of the touch at the windward islands, and I people appeared to be greatly interested know not that the brethren have written in what they saw and heard; and we to you of late, you will doubtless expect may hope that good impressions have me to give some account of the mission been made by the services of the day. generally. I am happy to assure you, What we have said above, will convey that the work of God still prospers. For to your mind but a faint idea of what we six months past, there has been an unu witnessed on that occasion. It was a sual attention to learning and religion. new era to us, and to this people; a day || Most of the chiefs, and many of the peoof peculiar interest; and one which calls ple, are much devoted to the work. for peculiar gratitude. We are constrained to say with the Psalmist, "Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us, bless his holy name.” “This is the Lord's doing; and it is marvellous in our eyes." May we always be enabled to say from the heart, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory."

On the sixth of last month, the Blonde frigate arrived at Woahoo with the bodies of the late King and Queen. The minds of the people were, in a measure, prepared for the distressing scene, having had about two months notice of their death. Their remains were interred with many tears and much solemnity.

On the day of the ship's arrival, the In our letter of February 1824, above survivors, who returned from England, mentioned, we gave you some account of together with the chiefs and many peothe first public meeting that we held with ple, proceeded to the church, where diour schoolmasters. We are happy to say, vine service was attended: after which that similar meetings have been contin- Boka, the chief who accompanied the ued quarterly to the present time. These King, called the attention of the assemmeetings have been evidently attended bly to what his majesty, the King of Enwith the divine blessing, and productive gland, had told him : viz. “to return to of much good. We stated that at our first his country; to seek instruction and relimeeting with them, 30 out of 70* profes-gion himself; and to enlighten and resed to believe that Christianity is the only form the people." true religion. At our last meeting with them in November, out of about 70 who were present, all but two professed to believe that Christ is the only Saviour of sinners! As many as ten or twelve of this number give pleasing evidence, that they have "passed from death unto life;" and many more of them appear to be in reality convinced of the vanity and folly of heathenism, and of the truth and importance of the Christian religion.

• This number includes the schoolmasters from Nellore.

Advice so congenial to the minds and interests of all present, and from one whose word they consider law, could not but make a deep impression. A new impulse has been given to our work. Schools are establishing, in every district of all the Islands. The chiefs are taking decided measures for the suppression of vice. Our churches are crowded with attentive hearers: and I am happy to add, that an increasing number are inquiring with solicitude, What shall we do to be saved.

With the exception of Mrs. Stewart, all the members of the mission were in comfortable health, three weeks ago. It was then feared that she was in danger of a decline. Mr. Stewart and family were about to visit Owhyhee, in the frigate; hoping that she might receive benefit I am still alone; but Mr. Ruggles is exfrom medical advice and a short voyage. pected in a few weeks from Owhyhee.

5

And besides Kaikioeva came in, and inquired to whom the peril from the hostility of the governI was writing. On being informed," Givement, serious fears were entertained in Calcutta that they might even perish them," says he, with much warmth of expression, "my affectionate salutation. from famine. No assistance, nor supplies Fell them I thank them much for the good could be furnished them from their friends, and it was known that the Burmans were news of salvation they have sent usthat learning and religion shall be the dying by hundreds of hunger and its acbusiness of my life." He has lately built companying diseases. Nearly two years a new church thirty feet by ninety, which had elapsed since a word had been heard from them; and every one who knew the is probably the best house, that ever was erected on Tauai. The week past he has dangers to which they had been exposed, sent out a message to every chief and began seriously to fear that their labours landholder to appear in council, on the on earth were ended, and that from the 7th of next month, when he says, "I midst of their usefulness they had been shall tell them my views in regard to re- called home, perhaps by a violent death, to receive their reward. ligion; appoint each one of them a teacher; distribute the spelling books as far as they will go; and charge them to follow me in the good work." He is indeed in carnest, and should his valuable life be spared, we have reason to believe that much good will result from his exertions. With kind regards to yourself and all || our friends, I remain, dear sir, yours in the Gospel, S. WHITNEY.

While I was writing this, our governor but an omnipotent God.

BURMAH.

And who can tell how full of calamity would have seemed such a dispensation of Divine Providence. To say nothing of the individual mourning which such a stroke would have occasioned, to pass by the hundreds who would have grieved as though a friend or a brother had fallen, we turn to the disastrous consequences which in human view must have followed so sad a bereavement. Our missionaries at Ava had resided in Burmah until they were familiar with the manners, habits, philosophy, and religious opinions of its inhabitants. They had also become ac quainted with a great number of the common people, and with not a few of the most influential of its officers of state. Some of the latter had already paid very respectful attention to the doctrines of the

Just as the last sheet of our December Number was going to the press, the intelligence arrived in Boston of the safety of our missionaries at Ava. We were obliged then to insert it without any remarks; and now we fear the time for them is al-gospel, and it was hoped had in some demost gone by. The subject is, however, so interesting, and the information has been received both in our own country and in Europe with so lively a burst of gratitude, that we cannot refrain from adding our feeble voice to the general expression of thanksgiving.

In the first place, there is cause for gratitude that the lives of our brethren are preserved. That they were, so far as man could foresee, in great peril, every one of us has already been aware. Perfectly within the power of a capricious, a mortified, and an enraged monarch, it was evident that nothing but an Almighty arm could preserve them. Cut off from every human succour, nothing could shield them

gree been enlightened by the Spirit of truth. But above all, they were the only Europeans, sufficiently acquainted with the language to translate the Scriptures for these 19 millions of perishing souls. This connects an indescribable importance with the preservation of their lives. And had they been removed, it would seem as though the propagation of the gospel in this empire had been retarded until a great part of the present generation had entered an awful eternity.

In this solemn suspense, prayer was without ceasing made by the church to God for them. He, who is a God afar off as well as a God at hand, said unto kings, Touch not mine anointed, and do

my prophets no harm. Through all this | If the British should retain Rangoon, a peril, they have passed unhurt. Their place in the empire will be secured for souls have been kept alive in famine, and the unmolested preaching of the Gospel. in war from the power of the sword. The If they should entirely evacuate the counprayers of God's people have been their try, he who was instrumental in negocidefence, when armed hosts were impo- ating so favourable a peace, may surely tent. Let this teach us a lesson of confi- be expected to receive both protection dence. Let us learn from it the import- and favour. So that the probability at ance of prayer. It is better to trust in the present strongly is, that at the close of Lord than to put confidence in man. It the contest many of the obstacles will be is better to trust in the Lord than to put removed to preaching the Gospel, and confidence in princes. circulating the Bible among this benighted people.

But again, it is to be remarked, that || not only have our missionaries been preserved alive, their prospects of usefulness seem to have been increased rather than diminished. We grant it may seem rather premature to form an opinion from the brief notice concerning them which has been received; yet the probability is strongly in favour of the supposition, that they have gained decidedly the confidence of the Burman Government. We are told that Mr. Judson had been sent by the Emperor with the embassy to negociate peace with the English army. This would not surely have been done, unless he had insured, in some unusual degree, the respect of the Burman monarch.

Here then reason is given to hope, that let the issue of the war be what it may, our mission will be permitted to continue with still brighter prospects of usefulness. ||

And now if we consider these circumstances, we cannot but adore the wisdom of Providence, which directed the sailing of the additional missionaries, at precisely so opportune a time. They will probably arrive at the very moment when they may commence their labours most suċcessfully. And thus, after this dark cloud has been removed, we may hope to see the sun shine more brightly than at any time before.

These tokens of Divine favour should be indelibly engraven on all our hearts. They should awaken us to renewed exertion, and to unceasing prayer, that God would continue to show us still more manifest tokens of his favour, until, in the language of one of our departed missionaries, "Burmah, idolatrous Burmah shall stretch out her hands unto God."

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

INTERESTING CONVERSION.

Sometime during the last fall and winter, Mrs., who lives in W, N. Y. was awakened to a deep sense of her danger, while unreconciled to God, and powerfully convicted of sin, by the energies of the Holy Spirit. She had always been a constant attendant upon public worship, respectful in her treatment of religion, and of religious persons, and strictly moral in her daily conduct. But her mind, as well as that of her husband, was wholly engrossed with the cares of this world: and they prospered in their endeavours to gain property, while they continued unmindful of the Author of all their mercies.