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were employed in distributing the elements. The collection was 160/.* Thus closed one of the most solemn and interesting scenes I ever witnessed. Many ministers, I trust, have returned to their congregations more animated with zeal for the Redeemer's cause than they were before. The prayers of all good people in our dear country will no doubt be offered up to the throne of grace, for such a useful, such an extensive, such a blessed institution, as the Missionary Society. Let us fervently pray, that those excellent men, who have left their native land, with all its comforts, to engage in the dangers, the trials, and the arduous duties of missionary labours, may be supported by that Being, who can make water to flow from the flinty rock, and who can make the wilderness to blossom as the rose; that they may go out with joy, that they may be led forth with peace; then shall the mountains and the hills break forth into singing. Instead of the thorn, shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for a sign, that shall never be cut off. Hasten the time, Lord Jesus!"

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Ir gives me pleasure to inform you, that at our late examination and exhibition spectators were apparently unanimous in the opinion, that the students evidenced important ad

"The expenditure of the missionary society last year was £6200. The society has a seminary at Gosport, under the care of Rev. Mr. Bogue, where there are now 13 students preparing for missionary service." It should be observed, to the praise of many wealthy Christians in London, that during the missionary services, there are as many as thirty houses of private Christians open for the reception of any ministers who choose to come.

vancement both in scholarship and public speaking.

But a scene of much greater moment took place in the vacation, for which you will warmly unite with us in grateful acknowledgments of the triumphant power of divine grace and truth. Union Presbytery, in which for some months Mr. B. and myself have had a regular standing as members, had a session at Greenville, according to previous appointment; and such a reviving season I never enjoyed before, since our arrival at the College. You know the common practice of Presbyterians is to have public worship for several days on a sacramental occasion. Wishing our ministerial brethren from a distance to be heard by the people here as often as possible, we have gladly conformed to the prevailing custom, though with singular exemption from those disorders, which in some parts have greatly marred the visible beauty and comeliness of the church. Public exercises commenced at Mr. B.'s meeting house on Friday afternoon; two sermons were preached there on Saturday, two on Sabbath day, one on Monday, and two at the College on Saturday and Lord's day evenings. We have reason to be thankful that our brethren came to us "in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ; that they did not shun to declare the whole counsel of God; but that speaking the truth in love, they in meekness instructed those that opposed, and commended themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." We have reason to believe that through the divine blessing much good has been done. On Sabbath noon the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered. About 70 persons communed; and to the joy of our sculs, Mr. W.'s former people, who have heretofore unanimously declined to commune with us, were included in the number. It is remarkable, that the ministers were so enabled to exhibit the spirit of the gospel with its doctrines and institu tions, that where opposition is not subdued, its mouth is shut. It would have afforded you high gratification to have witnessed, on the late occasion, the fidelity of the ministers and the solemnity of the people; to have heard those truths, which have here been

nious.

I am, &c.

C. COFFIN.

INDIA.

wrathfully controverted for so long a ning to end was perfectly harmotime, inculcated with a simplicity, affection and zeal, over which, it appeared, a knowledge of the past could have no power, either to disturb or control. Beholding in such circumstances more than 400 persons rapt in the most profound attention, not a few shedding tears, and a general face of awe and candour on the whole assembly, you would surely have said, God is in his holy temple."

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After the forenoon sermon on Monday, which was intended to open the session of Presbytery, John Glouces ter, a freed black man, delivered, as part of his trials for licensure to preach the gospel, a popular discourse in the hearing of the people and of the Presbytery, with which every body was well pleased. He was awakened and converted, we believe, some years ago under Mr. Blackburn's preaching, while a slave. Mr. B. has obtained for him his liberty at the price of 600 dollars, 200 of which remain to be paid. With the advice of Presby. tery, Mr. Balch invited him to come and study grammar, geography, &c. in the college, and board with him. We have instructed him and supplied him with books gratis. He has endeared himself to all classes of religious people in the neighbourhood, and bids fair to make a very faithful and acceptable minister of the gospel. His several parts of trial were satisfactory to the Presbytery, as far as pursued, and he has gone on to the General Assembly to be at their direction. Mr. Blackburn, who is our commissioner to that body this year, expects to have him licensed under peculiar advantages for extensive usefulness. He is indeed a genius, an orator, a man of modest and engaging address, well acquainted with genuine good breeding, and, we trust, of more than usual Christian experience. White people think the word of God comes with power from his black lips.

We

have two members of college, whom we expect hereafter to become able and faithful ministers of the New Testament.

The above mentioned Presbytery includes eleven ministers; and I candidly think some of them are worthy to be ranked among the most instructive and moving preachers that I have ever heard. The session from begin

We have been favoured with an account of the state of religion in some parts of our Indian Empire, by a most intelligent eye-witness, a Clergyman of the Church of England, which we shall give chiefly in his own words, as contained in a Letter to a Friend in this Country. The observations were made in the course of a

journey by land, undertaken during the last year, from Bengal to Cape Comorin.

"When in the province of Orissa," observes our traveller, "I visited the celebrated Hindoo Temple of Juggernaut. I passed about ten days in making observations on it. Juggernaut appears to be the chief seat of Moloch in the whole earth, and the centre of his dominions in the present age. The number of his worshippers is computed by hundreds of thousands. Four thousand pilgrims entered the gates with me, on the day previous to the grand festivals of the Rutt Iatra at Juggernaut. There I first saw human victims devote themselves to death, by falling under the wheels of the moving tower in which the Idol is placed. There I saw the place of skulls, called Golgotha, where the dogs and vul. tures are ever seen expecting their corpses. There I beheld the impure worship of Moloch in open day, while a great multitude, like that in the Revelations, uttered their voices, not in Hosannahs, but in yells of applause at the view of the horrid shape, and at the actions of the high-priest of infamy, who is mounted with it on the throne. Exhausted and disgusted with the daily horror of the scene, I hastened away from it. How different is that valley of Hinnom from the scene which at this moment presents itself to me here among the Christian churches of Tanjore! Here there is becoming dress, humane affections, Here the and rational discourse! feeble-minded Hindoo exhibits the Christian virtues, in a vigour which greatly surprises me! Here Christ is glorified; and this is the scene which now prompts me to write.

:

"But I ought first to inform you, that I have visited other places where the Gospel is preached to the Hindoos. In some parts of the Deccan the newly-converted Christians have suffered persecution. This persecution has, however, been thus far useful, that it shews the serious change of mind in the Hindoo who can bear it. For it is often alleged in India, that the Hindoo can never be so much attached to Christ, as the Bramin is to his Idol.

"When I was at Tranquebar, I visited the church built by the pious Ziegenbalg. His body lies on one side the altar, and that of Grundler* on the other. Above are the epitaphs of both written in Latin, and engraved on plates of brass. The church was consecrated in 1718, and Ziegenbalg and Grudler both died within two years after. I saw also the dwelling-house of Ziegenbalg. In the lower apartment are yet kept the registers of the church. In them I found the name of the first heathen baptized by Ziegenbalg, and recorded by himself in 1707. I also saw old men whose fathers saw Ziegenbalg. I first heard in Ziegenbalg's church, and from the pulpit where he preach ed, the Gospel published to the Hindoos in their own tongue. On that occasion they sung the Hundredth Psalm to Luther's tune. To me it was an affecting scene. Tranquebar, however, is not now what it was. It is only the classic ground of the Gospel. European infidelity has eaten out the truth like a canker. A remnant in deed is left, but the glory is departed to Tanjore. When I entered the province of Tanjore the Christians came out of the villages to meet me. There first I heard the name of Swartz pronounced by a Hindoo. When I arrived at the capital, I waited on Mr. Kolhoff, the successor to Mr. Swartz. There also I found two other Missionaries, the Rev. Dr. John and Mr. Horst, who were on a visit to Mr. Kolhoff,

"On the same day I paid my res pects to the Company's Resident,

See Christ. Obser. Vol. for 1806, p. 308 and 607. These two men were the first Protestant missionaries to India.

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who informed me, that the Rajah had appointed the next day, at twelve o'clock, to receive me. Immediately on entering, the Rajah led me up to the portrait of the late Mr. Swartz, and discoursed about that good man, and of his present happiness in a heavenly state. I then addressed the Rajah, and thanked him in the name of Christians in Europe, and in India for his kindness to the late Mr. Swartz, and to his successors, and particularly for his recent acts of benevolence to the Christians residing within the province of Tanjore. He has erected a college for Hindoos, Musselmen, and Christians, in which provision is made for the instruction of fifty Christian children. Having heard of the fame of the ancient Sanscrit and Marattah library of the kings of Tanjore, I requested his Excellency would present a catalogue of its volumes to the College of Fort William. The Bramins had formerly remonstrated against this being done; but the Rajah was now pleased to order a copy to be made out, and I have it already in my possession. It is voluminous, and in the Marattah character, for that is the language of the Tanjore Court.

"Next day I sat some hours with the Missionaries, conversing on the general state of the mission. They want help their vineyard is increased, and their labourers are decreased. They have hitherto had no supply from Germany in the room of Swartz, Iænicke, and Gericke, and have no prospect of supply. It appears to me that the glory is departed from Germany, and God has given it to England. Last Sunday and Monday were great days with the Christians at Tanjore. It being rumoured that a friend of the late Mr. Swartz had arrived, the people assembled from all quarters. On Sunday morning, three sermons were preached in three different languages. At eight o'clock we proceeded to the Church built by Mr. Swartz within the fort. From Mr. Swartz's pulpit I preached in English, from Mark xiii. 10. the Gospel must first be published among all nations.' The Resident, and other Gentlemen, civil and military at the place, attended, and also the Missionaries, Catechists, and

And

English troops.

After this service

was over, the native congregation assembled in the same church, and filled the aisles and porch. The service commenced with the Common prayer, read by an inferior minister, in which all the congregation joined with loud fervour. A chapter of the Bible was then read, and a hymn of Luther's sung. Some voices in tenor and bass gave much harmony to the psalmody, as the treble was distinguished by the predominant voices of the women and boys. After a short extempore prayer, during which the whole assembly knelt on the floor, the Rev. Dr. John delivered an eloquent and animated sermon in the Tamul tongue, from these words, 'Jesus stood and cried, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.' As Mr. Whitefield, on his first coming to Scotland, was surprised at the rustling of the leaves of the Bible, which took place immediately on his pronouncing his text, so I was here surprised at a noise of a different kind, viz. that of the iron pen engraving the palmyra leaf. Many persons had their ollas in their hands writing the sermon in Tamul short hand. Mr. Kolhoff assured me, that some of them are so expert in this, that they do not lose one word of the preacher; and the sermon of the morning is regularly read in the evening by the Catechist from his Palmyra leaf.

"Another custom obtains which I may mention. In the midst of the discourse, the preacher puts a question to his congregation, who respond, without hesitation, in one voice. The object is to keep their attention awake; and the answer is generally prompted by the minister himself. Thus, suppose he is saying, My dear brethren, it is true you are now a despised people, being cast out by the Bramins, but think not that your state is peculiar; for the Pharisee and the worldly man is the Bramin of high and low cast in Europe. All true Christians must lose their cast in his world. Some of you are now following your Lord in the regeneration, under circumstances of peculiar suffering; but let every such one be of good cheer, and say, I have lost

my cast and my inheritance among men, but in heaven I shall obtain a new name and a better inheritance through Jesus Christ our Lord.' The minister then adds, 'My beloved brethren, what shall you obtain in heaven? They immediately answer in one voice; A new name and an inheritance thro' Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is impossible for a stranger not to Children be affected at this scene. of tender years inquire of each other, and attempt the responses. This custom is deduced from Ziegenbalg, who proved its use from long experience.

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After the Tamul service was ended, I returned with the missionaries into the vestry or library. Here I was introduced to the elders and catechists of the Church. Among others came Sattianaden the celebrated preacher. He is now stricken in years, and his black locks have grown

grey.

As I returned from the Church I saw the Christian families going back in crowds to the country, and the mothers asking the boys to read passages from their ollas.

"At four o'clock in the afternoon, we went to the little chapel in the mission garden out of the fort, built also by Mr. Swartz, and in which his body now lies. This was a solemn service. Mr. Horst preached in the Portuguese language from these words, Ye who sometimes were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ." I sat on a granite stone which covered Swartz's grave. The epitaph is in English verse, and written by the present Rajah, who has signed his name to it. The organ here accompanied the voice, and the preacher addressed the people in an animated discourse of pure doctrine. In the evening Mr. Kolhoff presided at the exercise in the schools; on which occasion the sermon of the morning was repeated, and the boys' ollas examined.

"In consequence of my having expressed a wish to hear Sattianaden preach, Mr. Kolhoff had given notice to the congregation in the morning, that there would be divine service next day. Accordingly the place was crowded at an early hour. There appeared more of a divine unction in this assembly on this occasion, than

on any of the former. Sattianaden delivered his discourse with much natural eloquence, and visible effect. His subject was the marvellous light! He first described the pagan dark ness, then the light of Ziegenbalg, then the light of Swartz, then the efforts making in all lands to produce light, and, lastly, the heavenly light, when there shall be no more need of the light of the sun nor of the moon. In quoting a passage, he desired a lower minister to read it, listened to it as to a record, and then proceeded to the illustration. The responses by the audience were frequently called for. He concluded with a fervent prayer for the Church of England. After service, I went up to Sattianaden, and took him by the hand, and the old Christians came round about weeping. He said he was unworthy to preach before his teachers. The people asked me about Bengal, saying they had heard good news from thence. I told them the news was good; but that Bengal was exactly a hundred years behind Tanjore. Mr. Kolhoff is a man of meek spirit, but ardent faith, labouring in season, and out of season. His congregation is daily increasing. Soon after leaving Tanjore, I passed through the woods inhabited by the Colleries or theives who are now humanized by the Gospel. They were clamorous for a minister. They have Churches but no European minister.

"At Tritchinopoly is the Church first built by Swartz, and called by him Christ's Church. At this station there are a great number of English, civil and military. On Sunday morning I preached from these words, For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.' Dr. John, who followed me thither, preached afterward to the Tamul congregation. Next morning a serjeant called on me, who said he had seen the heavenly light in the East, and wanted Bibles for the religious English soldiers. There is a great cry for Bibles in this country, both by the native and European Christians. Mr. Pohle, the German missionary here, told me he could dispose of 1000 Bi

bles. I mean to proceed from this place to Madura, where the Roman Catholics cover the land. Mr. Pohle told me that one of their priests, who was lately in this vicinity, preached the doctrine of the atonement with great clearness and force; in consequence of which he was removed by his superiors. I shall endeavour to find him out. Some of the Romish Churches are very corrupt, mingling Pagan superstitions with Romish ceremonies. It is nevertheless true, that the Jesuits have hewed wood and drawn water for the Protestant mission." Ch. Ob.

GREAT BRITAIN.

British and Foreign Bible Society. On the 6th inst. the BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY held their third annual meeting, which was numerously and respectably attended. The President (Lord Teignmouth) read from the chair a report of the proceedings during the last year, from which it appears that the society have distributed, either gratuitously or at reduced prices, many copies of Bibles and Testaments in various danguages; and that by their encouragement and pecuniary aid, presses have been set up at Basic, Berlin, and Copenhagen, for the purpose of supplying the scriptures in the German, Bohemian, Icelandic, and other languages, to countries which are in great need of them. The Society have further granted 20001. to their corresponding committee at Calcutta, for the purpose of aiding the translations of the scriptures into the native languages of Oriental India.

An abstract of this report, as well as of the reports of the proceedings of the missionary and other societies, will appear in a future num

ber.

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