10,500' (Vol. ii. p. 323.) "By official documents laid before Parliament, from 1821 to 1828, it appears that the average number of Suttees is about 700 annually, but this does not include those that take place in the tributary, allied, and independent States, which are not subject to British regulations. When Row Lacka, grandfather of the present Chief of Cutch died, fifteen concubines burned on his funeral pile. A recent account from the Hill Country, states that twenty-eight females were burnt with the remains of a Rajah. Probably half or one-third the number of Suttees in this estimate may be nearer the truth, but after the greatest possible reduction, the numerous and various kinds of murders in British India, cry, as though an angel spoke,'-O Britain, spread thy shield over those who are drawn unto death, and ready to be slain.' Say Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.'

"That the British Government in India is able to abolish these murderous practices in its own dominions, appears from the testimony of many of its functionaries, given in the six volumes of Parliamentary Papers on Hindoo Immolations. An intelligent Magistrate in Calcutta observes, respecting the Suttee: "They will believe that we abhor the usage when we prohibit it in toto by an absolute and peremptory law. They have no idea that we might not do so with the most perfect safety. They conceive our power and our will to be commensurate.'-(Parliamentary Papers as above, vol. ii. p. 67.) "Infanticide at Saugur was prohibited by the Marquis of Wellesley, in 1802; the Brahmin has been made amenable to the inviolable rights of justice; various beneficial alterations have been made in the judicial proceedings of the Government, &c.; and why should Britain wait for the slow process of education and civili

zation to remove these evils, when one mild effort of the conquering hand might free the earth from these detested blots?

"The importance of the expression of public opinion to accomplish the abolition of Suttees, (and consequently of other sanguinary practices in Hindostan,) is thus stated by a respectable East India Proprietor, in a letter to the Secretary, dated Oct. 11, 1828:-With regard to the Suttee question, I believe that I expressed to you, some time back, my despair of any material alteration in that horrid practice for many years to come, unless the religious part of the public shall come forward in a manner so decided as to induce attention from his Majesty's Government and from the House of Commons. They seem ignorant, notwithstanding the Papers printed by Parliament and other Publications, that the average of these murders has been for many years from forty to fifty per month! I fear that little more can be done in the General Court.' Another Proprietor, in a more recent letter, expresses the same sentiments.

"The necessity, propriety, and importance of Societies to promote the abolition of human sacrifices in India, appear evident. 'Human sacrifices were first forbidden at Rome by a decree of the Senate, B. C. 95 years; but some persons still continuing them privately, the Emperor Augustus renewed the prohibition with effect. Tiberius suppressed them in Gaul, and Claudius extirpated the Druids, as well as their sanguinary worship, in that country. These sacrifices existed in Britain till about A.D. 60, when Paulinus Suetonius overthrew the Druids and their inhuman rites, so that they never afterwards revived. And will it be endured that our own heathen conquerors have done more for us than we are willing to do for our Indian subjects? Shall the mere natural principle, 'Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto,' have exercised an influence on pagan Rome, and shall Christian Britain refuse to acknowledge the force of the same argument?"-(Poynder's Speech on Human Sacrifices in India, p. 220.) Let all who feel the tender visitings of nature,' all who would deliver their country from blood guiltiness, all who look for the time when they shall not hurt nor destroy in all his holy mountain,' promote the establishment of kindred institutions in every part of the United Kingdom, and by a constant and simultaneous expression of the public voice to the Senate of the nation, 'relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.""

PROCEEDINGS AT THE EAST INDIA HOUSE ON THE QUESTION OF SUTTEES.

At the Quarterly General Court of Proprietors of East India Stock, held on Wednesday, December 17th, Mr. Poynder, the strenuous advocate for abolishing Suttees, inquired whether any step had been taken to revoke that system of authorized, but appalling murder?

The Chairman said that a despatch had very recently been transmitted from the Government in India, stating, that the local authorities had been called upon to report on this subject, and that the substance of their replies was embodied in the despatch, which should be read.

The despatch from the Bengal Government, dated the 10th of April, 1828, stated the number of Suttees which took place in 1825 and 1826, and observed, that the local authorities in some quarters where the practice was common, declared that there was a crying necessity for putting it down; while other officers, who resided in districts where it was rarely resorted to, did not think it worthy of marked attention. In some places where the people are of a hasty and passionate character, it was thought that reason existed for apprehending considerable opposition to any attempt at an abrogation of the system; but in others the custom was so little observed, that it was supposed that it might be easily removed. The despatch stated, that the Suttees in 1826 fell short of those reported in any former year.

Mr. Poynder said, Parliament had only reported the Suttees of 1824. He wished to know the gross number of women sacrificed in 1825?

The Chairman answered that the number of Suttees in 1824 was 572, in 1825 639, in 1826 only 518, being a diminution of 121, as compared with 1825.

Mr. Poynder remarked, that was at the rate of eight and forty human sacrifices for each month during those two years.

Mr. Hume entered his protest against the opinions of those who maintain that these sacrifices were in accordance with, and were authorized by, the religion of those over whom they ruled in India; and his decided opinion was, that no danger whatever would arise in India if the Company interfered to abolish the practice.

After a remark from Mr. Dixon, the conversation ended.

DELIBERATIONS AND PRAYER ON THE SUBJECT OF RELIGIOUS REVIVALS.

It is with peculiar thankfulness we have to record our conviction that this

subject is now obtaining that influence in the minds of our ministers and churches which its magnitude and vitality demand. The ministers of London who form the Congregational Board, have held three meetings for the special purposes of prayer and religious conference, which, we believe, will be ever memorable with those who had the privilege to attend them. We are not at liberty to report all that is likely to result from those frank and fraternal communings, but one resolution will be promptly acted upon, which is, that every minister connected with the Congregational Board be requested to address his people on the subject on the first Sabbath of the present year.

We have received intelligence that individual churches and whole districts in Essex and Suffolk, Warwickshire and miliation and prayer. Devonshire, have observed days of huWe wish not,

enumerate

however, ostentatiously to these services, now the attention of the churches is awakened to the subject, lest we and our brethren should appear to forget the salutary cautions of the Saviour, Matt. vi. 16--18. At the same

time, let us give the Lord, "no rest till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth."

ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENTS FOR

FORGERY.

We beg to call the attention of our readers to the following letter from a venerable minister, on a subject which should doubtless interest every intelligent Christian.

I

"GENTLEMEN, The frequency of executions for the crime of Forgery, has deeply affected the public mind, and I am persuaded that a general wish pre vails that the punishment of that offence should not be the forfeiture of life. am further of opinion, that if petitions to Parliament were generally presented, an amelioration of the sanguinary law might be obtained. Permit me, therefore, through the channel of your useful publication, to request your readers to promote such petitions, for if once a beginning were made in the metropolis, I have no doubt that it would be followed in all the principal towns of the United Kingdom; and the public voice, so expressed, would have, I trust, due weight with our Government, who, I am persuaded, are not averse to civil improveI am, Sir, yours, "CIVIS."

ment.

BUILDING CASES.

At a meeting held in the vestry of the Dissenting Chapel, Oxford, Nov. 27,

1828, after public notice from the pulpit on the preceding Lord's day;

Mr. Collingwood in the Chair; It was unanimously resolved, "1. That we esteem it our duty, according to our ability, to promote the cause of the Redeemer, by affording occasional pecuniary assistance to those congregations among Protestant Dissenters, who may themselves be unable to defray the whole expense of building, enlarging, or repairing their meeting

houses.

"2. That convinced of the many evils attending the present mode of soliciting contributions for this object, it is our determination not to give any farther assistance to cases of this description, excepting to such as are sent us by letter, recommended by, at least, four neighbouring ministers, in order to be laid before a Committee for their consideration.

"3. That it is desirable to raise a fund by individual subscriptions, and an annual collection, to be appropriated in aid of proper cases, in such proportions as in the judgment of the Committee their several circumstances demand; and that the number of cases to be admitted shall not, for the present, exceed six in the year.

WILLIAM COPLEY, Pastor.
ROBERT ARCHER,

SAMUEL STEANE,
ISAAC ALDen.

Deacons.

All applications must be forwarded free of expense, to Rev. W. Copley, St. Aldate's, Oxford.

FORMATION OF A

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, TURVEY, BEDFORDSHIRE. On the lamented death of the Rev. Legh Richmond, M. A., who for twentytwo years bad given full proof of his ministry as the Rector of Turvey, the people, who were fondly attached to their pastor and the sacred truths he maintained, felt that the system of church patronage had not supplied them with a ministry in accordance with the taste which Mr. Richmond had laboured to form, and a large majority of them, therefore, forsook the parish church, and assembled for public worship in a commodious barn, which, in February, 1828, was fitted up for their use, when the Rev. J. Morris, of Olney, who has manifested a lively interest in the peculiar circumstances of this people, preached to them the first sermon. Since that period, the Dissenting ministers in the neighbourhood, assisted by the students of Newport Pagnell Academy, have supplied the congregation on each returning Lord's day.

After serious deliberation and earnest

prayer, the people resolved to erect a chapel, which is now in progress, towards the expense of which they have contributed to the utmost of their ability, and hope to be assisted by the Christian public. On the 28th of November last, forty persons, all of whom were formerly communicants in the parish church of that village, were united as a Congregational church, engaging to walk together in the ordinances and commandments of the gospel. On that occasion the Rev. T. P. Bull, of Newport Pagnell, delivered an excellent discourse from 2 Cor. viii. 5, after which the Rev. John Morris, of Olney, administered the Lord's Supper to the members. The whole solemnities were witnessed by a numerous and deeply interested ditory.

au

PROGRESS OF EVANGELICAL NONCONFORMITY AT CHRISTCHURCH AND ITS VICINITY.

One of our London friends informs us, with much regret, that he received, about two months ago, an account of the opening of a new meeting-house at Throope, near Christchurch, Hants; but which he has unhappily mislaid. The ground had been presented by a gentleman who, and his family, have been for generations the liberal friends and supporters of evangelical dissent in 'that neighbourhood. Our friend assures us that the introduction, progress, and present prospects of the religious interests at Throope, are of a very encouraging kind. It is one out of six or seven villages into which Christian and evangelical instruction has been introduced, by the indefatigable labours of the Rev. DANIEL GUNN. While that gentleman has been the instrument of raising, from a state bordering upon extinction, the Congregational cause at Christ Church, to such a degree of prosperity, that the number of regular attendants is about 1200, and the church members, nearly 300; and while he has originated, and is efficiently working a prodigious apparatus of schools, libraries, and prayer-meetings, which are diffusing the life of piety, and the energy of knowledge through so wide a circle; he has collected attentive congregations in the surrounding villages, with many encouraging indications of the divine blessing. His personal labours are distributed amongst these stations by as equable a rotation as can be adjusted; and, at other times, the work of edification is carried on, not by the discourses of lay-preachers, (a description of instructors whom, without any uncandid feelings, Mr. Gunn and his friends do not wish to multiply,) but by the reading of well chosen printed sermons, accompanied with the prayers of some

judicious and established member of the church.

At Throope, a young minister, the Rev. Wm. Heudebourck, late a student at Homerton, has been devoting himself to build on the foundation already so well laid; and it is hoped not without

success.

Ripley is another village in the neighbourhood of Christchurch, where the occasional preaching of the gospel was enjoyed for many years before Mr. Gunn settled at Christchurch; very principally by the labours of the Rev. Alfred Bishop, so long as he resided at Ringwood. The accession of Mr. Gunn's exertions, with the examples of piety, liberality, and zeal set by his friends, has also had an effect of striking benefit at Ripley. The meeting-house is very considerably enlarged to a handsome size; school-rooms erected; a Congregational library formed; a house for the minister in progress; a number of serious persons are united in church-fellowship, and a young minister, the Rev. Charles Thurman, late of Homerton College, is labouring acceptably in this promising sphere of usefulness. The expense of all these things cannot be small. Mr. Gunn and his congregation have contributed in their characteristic noble style. A gentleman in the neighbourhood gave £100., and his son £30.; and another young gentleman at Ripley, nearly related to Mr. Gunn, has volunteered to pay all that may remain, which, it is supposed, will be from £1,200 to £1,400.

When we hear of such things as these, our hearts rejoice, and we fervidly pray that grace and peace may be multiplied unto these fellow-workers in the kingdom of Christ. But we are also impelled to ask, should Christchurch and its neighbourhood have these blessings to itself? Is there no zeal, no love to God and man, no enlightened and active godliness, to wield the similar powers, and employ as great resources of talent and opulence, for the most glorious and holy of objects? Ye rich and influential families of Evangelical Dissenters throughout our country; take the happiness that invites you! Go ye and do likewise.

ORDINATIONS.

On the 3d of September, the Rev. George Bull Phillips, student from the Newport Pagnell Evangelical Institution, was set apart to the pastoral office, over the Congregational Church, Harrold, Beds., when the Rev. James Simmons, of Olney, introduced the service by reading and prayer. The Rev. James Slye, of Potters' Pury, delivered the introductory discourse, asked the usual

questions, and received the confession of faith. The Rev. James Pinkerton, of Weedon, presented the ordination prayer, with imposition of hands the Rev. T. P. Bull, (Mr. P.'s tutor,) gave an appropriate and affectionate charge, from 1 Pet. iv. 11. The Rev. William Chapman preached to the people, from I Thess. v. 20. The Rev. Mr. Holloway, of Cardington, closed the interesting service with prayer.

In the evening, the Rev. N. M. Harry, of Banbury, preached from Ezek. xxxiii. 11. Divine service was held in the chapel on the previous evening, when the Rev. J. W. Wayne, of Hitchen, preached from 2 Cor. iv. 9.

On Thursday, October 9, 1828, the Rev. Josephus Williams, of the North Wales Academy, was ordained pastor of the Independent Church, at Creaton, Northamptonshire. The Rev. T. Porter, Kilsby, commenced the service with reading and prayer. The Rev. B. L. Edwards, Northampton, delivered the introductory discourse. The Rev. W. Davies, Daventry, asked the questions. The Rev. D. Griffiths, Long Buckby, offered the ordination prayer. The Rev. W. Scott, Rowell, gave the charge from Jer. xxiii. 22. The Rev. B. Hobson, Welford, preached to the people, from Phil. ii. 29. The Rev. J. Clarke, Guisbro, concluded. In the evening, the Rev. Wm. Harry, Banbury, preached from Matt. viii. 11, 12.

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, the Rev. F. W. Meadows was ordained to the pastoral office, at Chiswell, in the Island of Portland, Dorsetshire. The Rev. W. Bean, of Weymouth, introduced the service by reading the scripture and prayer; the Rev. M. Caston, of Sherborne, described the nature of a gospel church, and proposed the usual questions; the Rev. J. Anderson, of Dorchester, offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. T. Durant, of Poole, delivered an impressive charge from 2 Cor. ii. 16. "Who is sufficient for these things?" and the Rev. J. Hoby, of Weymouth, (Baptist,) closed with prayer. In the evening, the Rev. T. Crump, of Weymouth, preached to the people, from Heb. xiii. 17; and the devotional parts of the service were conducted by Messrs. Caston, Curtis, and Bean. The services were interesting, solemn, and impressive; much of the presence of the Lord was enjoyed, and an impression made that will not be easily erased.

This is supposed to be the first ordination service that ever took place on this interesting and romantic island. The cause itself is new, having been commenced in October, 1827, when a small