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"At length my money was all expended; there was no way to escape, and I dared not return to Canton lest I should fall into the hands of the police officers. I thereupon directed my wife to go to the city, and send a messenger requesting Mr. Bridgman to assist me with money to purchase food, and if necessary, to enable me to flee to some other place. But, unexpectedly, he had gone to Macao, and she was obliged to return without having obtained any assistance. I then returned with my family to Keangmun; and seeing myself entirely destitute of money, and there being no one of whom I could borrow, I earnestly prayed to God to grant us his gracious assistance, and afford me protection in a visit to Mr. Bridgman at Macao. Thanks to the protecting mercy of God, I reached Macao in safety. And when I met Mr. Bridgman, the sorrow of my heart was so extreme, that I could not refrain from weeping bitterly; but he, seeing my sorrow, told me not to grieve, because Agang and Mr. Morrison had sent men to the office of the chefoo, and ascertained that for $800, all the persons who had been taken could be liberated, and the pursuit after myself and family be abandoned. This alleviated my grief, though Mr. Bridgman added that the arrangements were not yet settled,

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The foregoing letter was written at our request, which we made, supposing that his narrative would be far more interesting than any statements of our own. All the facts we know to be correct. In the translation, we have omitted some of the names of places, and have rendered the whole as concise as the original would allow.-Concerning Afa and those who have been baptised, and the Chinese mission generally, we will add a few par ticulars.

It was with the entire approbation of all the members of the mission here, that Afa engaged in the distribution of books at the triennial examination; and it was very pleasing to ob serve with what zeal and faith he went to his work. It should be observed that the books have been noticed as foreign and not as Christian books; and that the prosecution has resulted from political, rather than from religious causes. And had it not been for the collision between the government and the English, we have every reason to believe that the distribution of the books would have passed unnoticed. The subject was reported to the chefoo on the 25th of August; and there it would probably have rested, but for lord Napier's statement of facts in Chinese, on the morning of the 30th of that month. By this allusion we do not reflect in the least degree on the procedure of the British authorities, but state the fact to illustrate the circumstances of the case. Immediately on the appearance of lord N.'s paper, a cry was raised against Chinese traitors. In consequence of what had been reported to the chief magistrate of Nanhae and to the chefoo, police officers were sent to Afa's residence (as noticed in his letter,) on the 31st; and in conformity with this measure, the following edict appeared on the preceding day:

and that he must wait for another letter from Canton. He gave me $24 to carry to my family, and directed me to come again immediately to Macao. I thanked him, and went home directly; but when I told my wife that the difficulty was settled, she could hardly credit my words, and remained half believing and half doubting. I then gave her the money, and the same day I returned to Macao. After waiting two days at Mr. Bridgman's house, be received Mr. Morrison's letter, informing him that it was finally agreed that all the prisoners should be liberated for $800, but that the fooyuen (the lieutenant-governor of the pro-"Hwang, the chief magistrate of the district of Nanhae, issues this edict for the purpose of special province,) insisted on my being apprehended. hibition. As soon as Mr. Bridgman learned these particulars, he took me and my son Atih in a fast-boat to captain Parry's ship at Lintin; who, when he had heard of our calamities, most gladly and kindly entertained us in his ship.

"Whereas booksellers have long been forbidden to

print obscene and trashy publications; and whereas it

now appears on inquiry, that there are persons who make evil and obscene books of the outside barbarians, and under the false pretence of 'admonishing the age,' print and distribute them,-which is ex"Thus situated, I called to, mind that all ceedingly lawless; orders have therefore been given to the police to search and seize with strict secrecy, those who preach the gospel of our Lord and and to ascertain clearly, the persons who have done Savior must suffer persecution. I therefore this, that they may be severally punished, and the blocks taken and destroyed. Besides so doing, a meditated on Rom. viii, 31-39; on James, v. strict prohibition is hereby issued, with which the 11; and on 1 Peter v, 10. And though I can- literary candidates and all other persons are required not equal the patience of our Savior, or of to make themselves fully acquainted. You are imPaul, or Job, in enduring suffering; yet I desire mediately to take all blocks for printing prohibited, to imitate the ancient saints, and to keep my obscene, and evil books, and utterly destroy them. Should any one dare to act irregularly, and print and heart in peace. And though I suffer severe circulate such books, he shall assuredly be immepersecution, my heart finds some rest and joy, diately seized and punished with severity. Decidedand my only fear now is, lest the Chinese offi-ly, no indulgence shall be shown. Let each tremblingly obey. Lay not up for yourselves future recers should injure my wife and daughter. I pentance. A special edict." (August 30th, 1834.) therefore, morning and evening, beseech God mercifully to protect and save them; and I also beg the pastors and teachers and all who ardently love the Lord and Savior, to pity and pray for them. Therefore I send salutations to all who ardently love our Lord and Savior.

"Leang Afa bows and pays his respects. "October 18th, 1834."

This document was issued by the same in dividual, who only eight days before, had di rected the police 'not to interfere with a mat ter of so small importance.' And it is further to be observed that the prosecution of Afa has been urged by the lieutenant-governor on the charge of traitorous intercourse with foreign

ers, without any ground for such an accusation, except in the matter of his religion. The official statement of lord Napier above mentioned, was not printed by Afa, yet it being well known that he had been extensively and publicly circulating the books of 'outside barbarians,' the government directed its vengeance against him and his associates, denouncing him as a 'traitor,' and the Holy Scriptures as 'vile and trashy publications." Ten individuals have been imprisoned; eight of whom have already been released, and the others are expected to be set at liberty in the course of a few days. The sufferings and loss sustained by these people have been

severe.

The peculiar situation of this mission, and the character of the Chinese government, have hitherto prevented the organization of a church in this place.

The writers then give the names of fourteen individuals who have been baptised, and then proceed

With a few of these fourteen we are well acquainted, and have pleasing evidence that they have been renewed in their hearts by the Holy Spirit; with others we have not had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance; nor do we suppose, from what we have learned concerning them, that they have all been born of God. All of them, however, excepting the children of Afa, who were baptised when very young, have come forward of their own accord, and by baptism declared themselves to be the disciples of Jesus. But God alone knoweth their hearts.

On the whole, the present aspect of the mission is pleasing and encouraging. The amount of books circulated during the last twelve months has been much greater than in any previous year. In the province and city of Canton, 40,000 tracts and portions of the Scriptures have been circulated; among them were 100 copies of the New Testament in five volumes; 5.900 sets of the Scripture Lessons, also in five volumes; and 5,000 sheet tracts. Besides these, 100 sets (500 volumes,) of the Scripture Lessons have been sent to the province of Kwangse; and 400 sets (2,000 volumes,) to the east coast of China; and the same number to Singapore and Bankok.

From the mission press at Batavia, 13,137 tracts have been sent abroad; of these, 7,696 went to the coast of China. The number circulated at Malacca, Penang, Singapore, Rhio, and Bankok, we have not the means of ascertaining; nor do we know the whole number that have been circulated on the coast of China.

But what are these-a dozen missionaries, and sixty or eighty thousands of tractsamong the millions of Chinese to whom the gospel is to be preached? And where are the converts, the churches, and the christian families among the Chinese? Where are the christian schools and colleges? Where are the thousands of christian pastors and teachers, who are needed for so great a multitude? And where are the millions of christian books and Bibles to supply all these numerous families? Darkness covers the land, and gross darkness the people. Idolatry, superstition, fraud, falsehood, cruelty, and oppression, everywhere predominate; and iniquity, like a mighty flood, is extending far and wide its desolations. But, thanks be to God, the promulgation of the gospel has been commenced, and by his grace, we trust the work will go on until its triumphs are complete. The storms of persecution may gather and break on the defenceless heads of the innocent; but if the work be of God, it cannot be overthrown. The promise of Christ, 'Lo, I am with you always,' is full of consolation and support. If Afa had fallen into the hands of his pursuers, (as at one time we supposed he had) his life, for aught we can see, would have been taken from him. But our heavenly Father has kept both him and us in safety. And though the prospect before us is dark, very dark, yet we see no reason to be discouraged; on the contrary, we find much to call forth new faith, new zeal, new efforts, new laborers, andabove all-more frequent and fervent prayers. The field seems boundless; and in many places, it is already white for the harvest. But the laborers are few: 'Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth more laborers into his harvest.'

Written in behalf, and by the direction of the Christian Union in China.

ELIJAH COLEMAN BRIDGMAN.
JOHN ROBERT MORRISON.

Canton, China, January 20th, 1335.

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

RECENT INTELLIGENCE FROM THE MIS

SIONS.

SOUTHEASTERN AFRICA. The ship Burlington, which carried the mission families to Southeastern Africa, was at the Cape of Good Hope on the 9th of February. No intelligence has been received from the passengers.

WESTERN AFRICA.-A letter from Rev. J. L. Wilson, dated at Cape Palmas, December 27, 1834, where he had just arrived, states

that his voyage had been pleasant, and that the health of himself and wife was good. He adds "The fever has prevailed among the colonists, but not malignant, and has proved fatal in only two instances. The natives received us with loud acclamations of joy, and more than five hundred of them are now around our doors. The prospects of the colony are flattering. Our house was ready for us, and we are comfortable." On his way Mr. Wilson touched at Goree and Monrovia.

JERUSALEM. In consequence of the decease of Mrs. Thomson last July, it was thought advisable that Mr. Thomson should return to Beyroot and aid in the labors there, while Mr. Whiting and Doct. Dodge and their wives should remove to Jerusalem and continue the mission there. They accordingly left Beyroot on the 22d of October, and proceeded to the place of their destination by land, where, after a somewhat wearisome journey, by which, however, the health of all was benefitted, they arrived in safety on the 1st of November. At the date of their letter, November 24th, they were ready to commence their missionary labors. They were welcomed by the Rev. Messrs. Nicolayson and Calmen, missionaries of the London Jews' Society, laboring in Jerusalem.

Sc10. Mr. and Mrs. Houston removed from Smyrna to Scio in January, where on the 30th of that month they were comfortably settled, and in good health. A wide door was beginning to be opened before them, and books were applied for every day.

TREBIZOND. Under date of December 11th, 1834, Mr. Johnston writes that he left Constantinople on the 7th of November, and arrived at Trebizond on the 15th; where he was kindly received and very hospitably entertained by the British consul. He had secured a house, and expected to remove his family from Constantinople and commence a permanent residence at Trebizond in the spring.

year

ATHENS.-Mr. King, at the close of the last and the beginning of the present, was experiencing much opposition from the Greek priests and from some of the officers of government, which had been removed from Napoli to Athens. The house in which his school was taught had been taken from him and used for holding one of the courts; efforts were made to draw away his teachers; and the bishop was daily preaching against him and his labors. The regency, however, seemed to be very friendly; and the number of his pupils rather increased. For books and tracts there was still a good demand; and in the month of January he distributed more than 3,600 copies of school books and tracts, and more than 200 copies of the New Testament

had raised a considerable amount of funds for the purpose. The king of Greece will become of age and assume the reins of government himself in June next.

SIAM.-The ship Cashmere, which sailed from Boston July 2d of last year, having ou White, arrived at Amherst, in Burmah, on the board Doct. and Mrs. Bradley, and Miss 6th of December, the mission family being in good health. The passage had been unusually long, (157 days), but otherwise pleasant. Dr. B. had visited the Baptist mission station at Maulmein; and as the Cashmere was to touch at Rangoon, he did not expect to reach Singapore till the first of January.

ARKANSAS CHEROKEES.-Miss Cynthia Thrall was removed by death from her missionary labors at Dwight on the 17th of August last.

Mrs. Newton, wife of Mr. Samuel Newton, of the same mission, closed her labors at the Forks of Illinois, on the 30th of March.

Both these faithful laborers were sustained by the christian hope in the hour of dissolution. Some further notice will be inserted in a future number.

EMBARKATION OF MISSIONARIES.

A public religious meeting was held at the Bowdoin-Street meeting-house, in Boston, on Sabbath evening May 10th, on occasion of the departure of missionaries to four of the missions of the Board. In addition to the usual devotional exercises, a brief statement was made by one of the Secretaries respecting the destination of the several missionaries and assistant missionaries present, and an address was delivered to them by the Rev. Miron Winslow, recently from Ceylon, and who is expected soon to return to that field of labor.

Asahel Grant, M. D., from Utica, N. Y., and Mrs. Grant, from Cherry Valley, N. Y.; and Miss Rebecca W. Williams, from East Hartford, Con., embarked in the brig Angola, captain Cushing, for Smyrna, May 11th. After their arrival at Smyrna, Doct. and Mrs. Grant will proceed, by way of Constantinople, to join the mission to the Nestorians in Persia. Miss Williams will proceed to Beyroot, where she will be engaged in teaching and superintending female schools.

in Modern Greek.-The inhabitants of Napoli The Rev. John M. S. Perry, late pastor of proposing to establish a college there a church in Mendon, Ms. and his wife, the wholly independent of the government, and || Rev. J. J. Lawrence, from Geneseo, N. Y.,

were

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and Mrs. Lawrence, from Maltaville, N. Y., the Rev. Henry Ballantine, from Marion, Ohio, and Mrs. Ballantine, from Henniker, N. H., and Mr. Elijah Ashley Webster, printer, from Utica, N. Y., and Mrs. Webster, from Victor, N. Y., embarked in the ship Shepherdess, captain Kinsman, May 16th. The Shepherdess will touch at Colombo, on the western coast of Ceylon, and leave Messrs. Perry and Lawrence and their wives, destined to the mission among the Tamul people; and will then proceed to Bombay with Messrs. Ballantine and Webster, and their wives, who are to reinforce the Mahratta mission.

FUNDS GRANTED FROM OTHER SOCIETIES.

Hinsdale,

Keene, Mon. con.
Nelson, La.
Sullivan,

Swansey, Mrs. R. Dickinson,
dec'd, 10; cong. chh. 11,50;
Westmoreland, N. chh. 8,67; S.
chh. 11,50;
Winchester,

Caldwell, Tr.

Essex co. North, Ms. Aux. So. J.
Amesbury and Salisbury, La.
Andover, S. par. Gent, and la.
Bradford, E. par. Rev. G. B. Per-
ry's so.

Haverhill, Mon. con. in centre chh.
Ipswich, Coll. in Rev. Mr Kim-
ball's so 41; mon. con. 38,64;
Linebrook, La.

Newbury, Rev. L. Withington's so.
Newburyport, La. in Rev. Dr.
Dana's so. 26,25; mon. con. in
do. 58; mon. con. in Rev. Mr.
Milton's so. 43,37;

Rowley, Rev. W. Holbrook's so.
West Amesbury, Rev. Mr. Ea-

ton's so.

West Bradford, Gent. 22,50; la.

46; mon. con. 15,83;

West Newbury, 2d par. Gent.

and la.

22 30

6 07

8 75

8 50

21 50

20 17

1 54-124 91

29 00

104 00

21 00

40 00

79 64 7 11 35 18

127 62 37 20

12.40

84 33

51 72-629 20

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Taunton and vic. Ms. Aux. So. H. Reed, Tr.
Berkley, Miss. so.

Valley of the Mississippi, Aux. So. W. T.
Truman, Cincinnati, O. Tr.

Western Reserve, Aux. so.

S. Amherst, by A. Tracy, 9,50; Cleveland, C. L. L. a thank. off. 12; Elyria, Chh. and cong. 26; av. of jewelry, 83c. Fayetteville, Ten. Coll 20; Medina co. Richfield, Sub. 23; Portage co. Windham, La. 15,56;

47 27

106 89

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South Hartford, La.

8.00

West Hartford, Gent. 7,44; la.

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Middleton, Ms. Sab. sch. class for Rev. Mr. Bridgman in China, 5,60; mon. con. 15,30; Montreal, L. C. Free chh.

20 90

12 37

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Moravia, N. Y. Mon. con. in presh, cong. Nashua, N. H., A friend,

3 00 11.00

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Harpersfield, N. Y. Mon. con. in presb. cong.
Harrisburg, Pa. Presb. chh. (of which for
support of Mrs. Alexander at the Sandw.
Isl. 62,82;) which constitutes Rev. WIL
LIAM R. DEWITT an Honorary Member
of the Board,
Ipswich, Ms. So. in fem. sem. for Mary Lyon
Grant at Mackinaw,
Jamaica, Vt. Mon. con. 5; use of pew, 2;
Kinderhook, N. Y. For. miss. so.

28 34 14.90

VARIOUS COLLECTIONS AND DONATIONS.

78 00

Albany, N. Y. Mon. con. in 2d presb. chh. 6,62; 3d presb. chh. 17,70;

24 32 14.50

Newark, N. J. 4th presb. chh. (of which to constitute Rev. SAMUEL W. COLBURN of Attleborough, Ms. an Honorary Member of the Board, 50;)

New Brunswick Presbytery, Princeton, N. J. Presh. chh. 112,83; Shrewsbury, Chh. and indiv. 33;

145 83

26 00

10 00

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Alstead, N. H. Gent. benev. asso. Amsterdam, NY. Mater. asso, for Halsey

A. Wood in Ceylon, 20; S. S. of presb. chb. 6;

Ann Arbor, M. T. Mon. con. in presb. cong. Baltimore, Md. J. Creery, 50; mon. con. in 11th presb. chh. 25; 1st pay. for Jane Stewart Purviance in Ceylon, 20; fem. juv. miss. so. of 1st presb. chh. 1st pay. for Eliza Conkling in do. 20; for Sem. at Batticotta, 18; fem. mite so. for do. 10; a fem. s. s. schol. 2,50;

Bangor, Me. Mon, con. in 1st cong. so.
Bath, N. H. Mon. con.

Bennington, Vt. Rev. E. W. Hooker's so. 64,98; mon. con in sem. 4;

Bethel, Vt. Mon. con. in cong. so. Boston and vic. Ms. Fem. so. for pro. chris. among the Jews, for support of Rev. W. G. Schauffler, 565,65; E. T. 10, S. Greenleaf and Rev. R Anderson, 20; Brantford, U. C. Mon. con. in presb. cong. Brooksville, Me. Fem. mite so. for ed. hea. chil.

Caledonia, N.Y., J. A. McVean,

Canaan Centre, N. Y. Indiv. 10,50; Mrs. S. G. N. 5; Mrs. A. H. C. 5;

145 50

New Windsor, N. Y. Mon. con. in presb. chh. New York city. Young men's for. miss. so. 300; E. and F. Brewster, for Mary Brewster in Ceylon, 20; E. P. B. 1; an indiv. 1; Niagara Falls, N. Y. Presb. cl.h.

100 00

Norfolk, Va. J. D. Johnson,

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Oswego, N. Y. Coll. in presb. chh. 35; mon. con. 88;

Painesville, O. Mon. con. in presb. ohh. Philadelphia, Pa. 1st presb. chh. Northern Liberties, 326,89; fem. su. for ed. hea. youth, for support of 1st and 2d Philadelphia schools in Bombay, 250; juv. miss. so. in 1st presb. chh. 32,10; fem. s. s. class in 11th do. 2,75; av. of jewelry, 3; n friend, 1,55;

20 50

322 00

16 25

50 00

6 00

3 50

21 51

3.00

123 00

13 35

616 29

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