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RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Extract from the Report of the Directors to the Eleventh Genera! Meeting of the Missionary Society, held in London, May 8th, 9th, and 10th, 1805.

AFTER a short introduction, in which the Directors advert to the Principles on which the Institution was formed, they proceed to give an Account of the Present State of their respective Missions.

OTAHEITE.

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In the course of the last year, we have received the Journals of the Missionaries from October 1802, to April 1803. The civil war, which had placed our brethren in a critical situation, having been happily brought to a close, they were enabled to pursue the object of their mission without the least molestation. The brethren Jefferson, Nott, Bicknell, and Wilson, made preachingtours through different parts of the island, and published the glad tidings of salvation to the natives, some of whom gave them an attentive hearing; but the greater part treated their mes. sage with levity and disregard. They had an opportunity to address nearly 4000 adult persons, which is more than half the total inhabitants of the island; for by the ravages of war and disease, the inhabitants are reduced to 6 or roco.

An important event took place on the 3d of September 1803. The Dart,

an

English brig," touched at the island; from which our brethren received a small supply of necessary articles. When the Dart was about to sail, the Chief, Pomarre, was proceeding in a canoe to the vessel with two of his people; but being suddenly attacked by a violent pain, he dropped the paddle from his hand, fell down on his face in the cance, and shortly expired."

This Chief having long been the protector of the Missionaries, it was

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The Directors regret that they have received no communications of a later date than Sept. 3, 1803; and it was no small addition to their concern, to be informed that the supplies sent out in the ships Albion and Cato, in 1802,. and forwarded by the Alexander, Captain Rhodes, had not been landed at▾ Otaheite; for the captain, hearing of the renewal of the war, relinquished his design of going thither, and returned to Port Jackson; in consequence of which, the goods were relanded, pruch damaged. A further supply was sent out in November last, by the Argo, Captain Baden; but of their arrival at New South Wales, the Directors have not get been informed..

The Directors feel a painful concern. for their brethren, whose patient continuance in well-doing, entitles them→ to every exertion in their behalf that can, with propriety, be made. It is to be regretted, that the means of ictercourse with them are so difficult; nor can the Directors conceive of any practicable mode of communica tion, but by encouraging soine' mercantile persons in New South Wales to fit qut a vessel from thence, to be employed in the seal-skid trade, and who may thus be induced to visit Otaheite,. and convey to them the needful sup-, plies, and thus open a channel of communication wish the Society. This important measure is now under cousideration.*

A circumstance of a pleasing nature lately occurred. When the Spanish: frigates detained by the British government were brought into port, it was sug gested by a friend, that, as the frigates came from Monte Video, in South America, to which place our Missionaries were taken after their capture by a French pri vateer, in the year 1799, it was probable that some persons of that place might be found among the prisoners, from whom our captive Missionaries derived as sistance and friendship when there. Upon enquiry, at Plymouth, it was found that Admiral Bustaniente, the Commander of that squadron, had been Governor of Monte Video at the time above mentioné 1, and that through s friendly influence the Missionaries were permitted to land, retained part of their property

NORTH AMERICA.

In the island of Newfoundland, Mr. Hillyard is still diligently employed in the work of the Lord; he has preached at Harbour-Grace, Twillingate, and at

several harbours in the upper parts of Con'eption Bay.

Mr. Pidgeon is engaged in preaching the gospel in the province of New Brunswick; Mr. Mitchell now labours at Amherst; where, in a tour through part of New Brunswick last summer, he met with a great number of persons who heard him gladly, and who longed for the preaching of the gospel among them; but who are at present as sheep without a shepherd. From other quarters also, the Directors are informed how much the ministry of the word is needed in that country.

AFRICA.

The Directors next advert to the state of our Missions in South Africa, of which, however, through the interruption of communication with the Cape, they are not enabled to speak so particularly as they wish. From Dr. Vanderkemp no intelligence has been received later than Feb. 29, 1804; that intelligence, however, affords fresh occasion to thank the Lord of the harvest for the powerful influences of the Holy Spirit crowning his labours, and those of Mr. Read, his faithful colleague,

with considerable success; so that the kingdom of grace was spreading more among the poor Hottentots. The progress also of the scholars, in learning to read and write, and in acquiring religious knowledge, was astonishing to our brethren, considering the peculiar languor, stupidity, and aversion to every exertion, mental or corporeal, which characterizes the natives; which indeed proves, “that nothing is impossible to God."

"We regret that we are not able to report the state of the other Missions in Africa; the suspension of correspon fence leaves us wholly unacquainted with the circumstances of our brethren Bekkar, Verster, Tromp, Vanderlingen, Anderson, and Kramer; as also of the operations of the South African Missionary Society, who, we trust, are all at their respective posts, labouring unceasingly in the work of the Lord.

FRANCE.

The continuatian of war with France has totally suspended that intercourse which was necessary to completing the printing of the Bible, and to the effectual dispersion of the New Testainent, which was long since finished. The Directors have been disappointed in their expectation, that a Society on the Continent would undertake this service. They trust, however, that

received great kindness from the inhabitants, and were, probably, preserved from the miseries and destruction which would otherwise have befallen them, if carried to Cayenne, as was, it is said, intended. The Directors sought an interview with the Admiral, wiro behaved in the most friendly manner; and had the goodness to accept a small present (a gold watch) from the Directors; which they thought it their duty to offer as a token of gratitude. The Directors were favoured with the following note from the Admiral:

To Joseph Hardcastle, Esq. Treasurer,- and the Rev. George Burder,
Secretary to the Missionary Society, London.

"Gentlemen,

London, Feb. 11, 105.

The favourable opinion which the Directors of the Missionary Society are pleased to express in your letter of the 9th instant, respecting my conduct towards their Missionaries, whom the chance of war carried to Monte Video, in a state of captivity, while I was Governor of that town, greatly exceeds the merit which I could claim on that occasion. I only followed the plain dictates of humanity, strengthened by the duties of my situation; and had merely the accidental advantage of possessing power to render effectual the regard I shared in common with all the inhabitants of the district, over which I had the honour to preside, and to which the respectable character of the sufferers was so eminently entitled.

"Whatever my services to your Missionaries might have been, I consider them as fully rewarded by your kind interpretation of the circumstances concerning the part I acted; and I cannot but receive the memorial you are pleased to offer me, more as a mark of the liberality of your sentiments, than as an acknowledgment to which I may have any pretensions. I accept it as such, and beg leave to return to the Directors my unfeigned thanks for this honourable testimony of their at tention; and to assure them that I shall always preserve it, with the most sincere and ardent wish for their prosperity.

I have the honour to be your obedient humble servant,

JOSEPH DE BUSTAMENTE Y’GUERRA,”

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

matters are now in a train to effect the accomplishment of the work, by means of Christan friends in Switzerland, who, having opportunity of maintaining correspondence with Protestant clergymen of France, will thereby be enabled to extend the circulation of the Scriptures, to promote the general interests of pure and vital religion.

ASIA.

The Directors wish, in the next place, to invite the attention of the Society to the eastern world; presenting to the Christian mind many millions of our fellow men, long immersed in vice, error, and superstition, and for whose conversion few attempts have hitherto been made. The miserable condition of these nations, and particularly of those whose commercial connection with this country affords a strong claim to our regard, has seriously occupied the minds of the Directors.

Their

efforts have been principally directed to the eastern and western coasts of the great peninsula of India, and to the important island of Ceylon, nearly connected with it.

The Society is already acquainted with the steps which have been taken as to the island last mentioned. The Rev. Mr. Vos, formerly a faithful minister in South Africa, superintends this Mission. The German brethren, Ehrhardt and Palm, accompany him; together with these, the Rev. Messrs Ringletaube, Desgranges, and Cran, have sailed for Tranquebar; they are intended to labour on the continent of India: they sailed in the Danish ship King's Packet from Copenhagen, April 20, 1804. The Directors had the pleasure of finding by the Cape Gazette, that the ship had arrived safely at the Cape on its way; but no information has yet been received of their arrival in India. The Society has since heard of their safe arrival.

Another Mission has been determined apon since our last General Meeting. A memoir having been presented, recommending to their attention the populous city of Surat, the Directors were so fully convinced of the eligibility of this station, that they immediately determined on a Mission to that place.

Surat is said to contain more than an hundred thousand inhabitants; its situation appears to render it peculiarly favourable for the introduction of the gospel. Religions of various descriptions are fully tolerated, affording free access to the Heathen, while there is every reason to expect the protection of the Government. Many of the in

habitants being acquainted with the
English language, the Missionaries may
probably enter upon their labours im-
mediately; and should the gospel be
successful in this place, it may proba-
bly be from thence extended through
all the north-western parts of India,
Cabul, Candahar, Persia, and Arabia.

Dr. Taylor and Mr. Loveless, after
having been solemnly set apart to the
work, sailed in an American vessel, the
for Tranquebar,
in December last.
Allegany, Capt.

The Directors conceive they have
been discharging a duty of the first
Missions. The objects presented to
importance, in the preparation of these
the view of the Society in Ceylon, and
on the two opposite coasts of India,
are in their view, of the first magnitude;
and such as will, they trust, be favoured
with the approbation, and with the
the fields so widely extended, promise,
In this
earnest prayers of the whole Society;
they trust, a glorious harvest.
hope, they are encouraged by the suc-
cess with which it has pleased God to
favour Missionary efforts already made
in these populous regions, not only by
the Baptist brethren from England,
but by various other labourers for a
long season.

On this heal the Di-
a letter received from some venerable
rectors derived much satisfaction from
Danish Ministers at Tranquebar, in
count of their mode of proceeding and
which they favoured us with some ac-
success. They invite our further exer-
tions, and express a pious wish, that
persons of influence were duly sensible
of the great advantage which the gos-
pel would prove to the whole country.
"If," say they," the European Gover-
nors and Rulers of the country could
be persuaded that true Christianity
would render them still greater and
happier than they are, and what a
blessed influence the propagation of it
would have on the general welfare of
the nations which they govern, and es-
pecially if they would countenance it
by their own example and influence,-
there is no doubt that the different
nations would soon submit to the yoke
of Christ, and shake off the miserable
burden of heathenish superstition, vice,
and vanity."- What Christian does
not cordially unite in a sentiment so
has all hearts in his hands, so dispose
just and benevolent? May He, who
the minds of men of eminence in wealth
and influence!

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it is enveloped, are so generelly known, that it may be reasonably expected that any well-formed plan for the communication of Divine Truth to that country, will find a powerful advocate in the breast of every Christian.

It is of infinite importance, that those who direct a measure so intimately connected with the future interests of Christianity in the Empire, should proceed on such principles as may be likely to convey the pure oracles of truth, unalloyed with error or mistake: in order to which, it appears requisite, in the first place, that the individuals who are to be employed, should be well grounded in the Christian doctrine. It is also of high importance that they "should possess a knowledge of the language adequate to the undertaking. Without the combination of these qualifications, no translation of the Scriptures can prove satisfactory to the religious public. With these principles in view, the Directors wish to proceed in the selection of suitable instrumen's, and in the situation best adapted for the acquirement of the language. On this latter point they have considerable reason to believe that, at the Prince of Wales's Island, they will find the most eligible station for every purpose of a preparatory nature. There are also some collateral objects, highly interesting to the cause of Christ, which seem to be connected with this situation, and capable of being pursued at the same time, and by the same instruments; particularly the Malay nations, containing an immense population in numerous islands from the Bay of Bengal to the coast of New Guinea.

The

Nialay language may be easily acquired, and become the medium of great and extensive usefulness. These people are acquainted with letters; and thus, by means of a printing-press, the views of the Missionaries may be explained, Religious Tracts circulated, the Holy Scriptures translated, and future Missions prepared. The Directors earnestly pray that the Great Head of the Church, would incline the hearts of ⚫ others to come forward: they also look to Christian Societies, and, on this occasion especially, to Evangelical Se⚫minaries, for persons who to the radical qualifications of a Missionary unite a facility in the acquisition of languages, and who may thus be peculiarly fitted for a service so distinguished and useful in the Christian Church,

The Society, desirous of furnishing future Missions with tried and able infor some years past,, Supported a num er of young me at

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the Seminary at Gosport, under the tui tion of our highly valued brother, Mr. Bogue. The Directors regret mach that so few persons have hitherto offered themselves as candidates for Mis sionary services, especially when the great advantages which this Seminary offers, as preparatory to the work, are so easy of access. There are now at Gosport only six students: some of whom will soon be at liberty to enter apon the great work; particularly Mr. Frey, one of the children of Abraham, and now, by grace, walking in the steps of that great father of the faithful. It is with peculiar satisfaction that they concur in the desire expresse i by Mr. Frey, to communicate to his brethren the knowledge of Chris', and to be the means of removing from their hearts the veil of ignorance and belief. They are thankful to the providence of God, who has furnished them with an instrument so much adapted to this im portant occasion:-None can so wellenter into the feelings, the principles, and the strong prejudices of a Jew,as one who has himself been educated in that religion, and has also been converted to the faith of the Gospel:- None can he expected to commiserate with such strong sympathy their moral state,--or devote himself to their relief with more ident solicitude, than one of their own natio`, who has himself been melted into contrition by looking unto Him whom their fathers pierced. It will also be a source of satisfaction to the Society, that a ministry is thus to be opened, which is immediately addressed to the ancient people of God, and thus a com-bunce ment made towards the discharge of that immense debt of obligation and gratitude which Christians are r to the Jews, as the medium thru h which they have received the sacred oracles. The degree of success which may ultimately arise out of this endeavour to promote their conversion, we cheerfully refer to Him whose wise and sovereign purpose has connected the salvation of Israel with the fulness of the Gentiles; and thus held out the encouraging intimation, that the ex-ersive communication of the gospel to the heathen, is the signal which invites the exer:ions of Christians in favour of the Jews also. If this humble attempt should become the occasion of impressing more generally upon the hearts of Christians their duty with respect to this people, if it should excite more solemn and stated prayer for their conversion, if it should lead to more general and enlarged measures to pronote this end, we shall white in thank

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

fulness to Him who despises not the day of small things.

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It would afford the most cordial satisfaction to the Directors to larger number of godly young men offering themselves to the service of our adorable Saviour, in the extension of his From kingdom among the Heathen.

the number, the piety, andthe zeal of our congregations, it might have been expected that many, very many, would have become candidates for this honourable work; but they still find the labourers few: they not only join with all their fellow-Christians, in imploring the Lord of the Harvest more copiously to pour out his Holy Spirit on the churches, powerfully constraining an host of willing labourers to say, "Here are we, send us;" but they also earnestly recommend it to their reverend brethren to encourage and stimulate, by their animated exhortations and Missionary fervour, persons in their connections, of piety and talents, to come forward to the help of the Lord against the mighty; for they are assured that it is not so much a want of zeal as of information that keeps them ack; and that a proper representation

of the great variety of countries in which
the gospel is needed, to which access
may be obtained, where protection may
be expected, and where the prospect
of success is flattering, would incline
many to press to the work, especially
when they are informed, that in the
Missionary Seminary they may pro-
bably acquire that degree of fitness for
the work, an apprehension of the want
of which, at present, operates as a dis-
couragement, and keeps them back.

The Directors having thus stated the
principal occurrences of the past year
with the prospects that are opening on
with thankfulness to God for the help
the Society, conclude their Report
ment with which he has favoured them.
hitherto afforded, and the encourage-
They trust, the Society will be enabled
to press forward with increasing ardour
What God hath
in the glorious cause.
wrought, connected with the consider-
ation of the greater things he has pro-
mised, and in the fulfilment of which he
will make use of the instrumentality of
men, are sufficient to engage our hearts,
our hands, our substance, our influence,
our example, our all for the glory of
Christ, and the salvation of men!

* Since the above was written, much important Intelligence has been restived
from several of the Missionary Stations in Africa, &c.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

We have the pleasure to report, that Letters have been just received from the Rev. Mr. Vos, who, with his companions, Mr. Erhardt and Mr. Read, landed at Ceylon, January 25, 1805. They were introduced to the Governor, the Right Hon. F. North, who having read the Letter of Recommendation from the Secretary of State, and their Instructions from the Missionary Society, received them with great kindness, and provided them lodgings.

They have already entered upon their labours. Mr. Vos is appointed Minister of the Dutch Church at Point de Galle, with liberty to do all the good he can in that district. Mr. Read is appointed a Catechist among the Cingalese; and is learning their language. Mr. Erhardt remained, for the present, at Columbo.

Interesting Letters and Journals have also been received from South Africa, which, when translated, will be laid before the Public. It will afford our Readers peculiar satisfaction to learn, that the valuable Missionary Dr. Vanderkemp, with his associate Mr. Read, continue their faithful labours at Bethelsdorp with considerable success, as appears from the following Extract of a Letter, dated January 8, 1805:

"THE beginning of this year is crowned abundantly with new blessings from on high; aid fresh streams of converting grace have been poured upon us. We number ten or twelve to whom,

we hope and trust, the power of God's
May the first
holy arm is revealed.
fruits of this season be the presage of
a plentiful harvest!"

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