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past one hundred years, has verified the word which the late Count Zinzendorf, full of faith and hope, inscribed in the pocket-book of the

the day on which they quitted Herrnhut for Greenland-"The Lord of Hosts mustereth the host of the battle." Isaiah xiii, 4.

and we still have to cultivate, and how often, ploy in the service of the mission during the and earnestly a scriptural truth may be brought before a stupid and listless Greenlander without his comprehending it, until at length the Spirit of God opens his heart and mind; like-first missionaries on the 19th of January, 1733, wise, that the climate, the ice, the wind, and the sea, and in latter years the difficulty of providing with adequate instruction the great number of our people who live scattered in the out-places, present extraordinary and almost insuperable obstacles to our work; when all these circumstances are taken into account, it is impossible to refrain from feelings of grateful astonishment at the effects produced by the preaching of the cross. We can declare with truth, that the Lord has brought into fulfilment, in this once benighted land, the prophetic de-baptised; 10 unbaptised; total, 671. elaration above referred to, which he gave by the mouth of his servant Isaiah, and that hundreds of souls are now rejoicing in the light which has been shed around them, and which is derived from himself, the Sun of righteous

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Summary. Since the year 1774, when the settlement of Lichtenau was established, there have been baptised, up to the end of 1832, 808 adults and 826 children; 15, baptised in other places, have come to live here; 1,649 persons in all. Of these 915 have departed this life; 73 removed to other places; total, 988. There are now living at Lichtenau, 661

At Fredericksthal, 327 baptised; 81 unbaptised persons; total 408. At New-Herrnhut, 368; at Lichtenfels, 371-total at the four settlements, 1,818. The Royal mission in the colonies count 2,000 in North, and 2,000 in South Greenland, who are under christian instruction; and as the number of the whole nation is estimated at 6,000, the small remainder are heathen.

Miscellanies.

THE following article is taken from the Chinese Repository for March, and may be considered as supplementary to an article on the same general subject, taken from the same source, and inserted in the number of this work for May.

single idea in writing; though in speaking, it has been found necessary to unite two synony. mous monosyllables to denote the same idea. Thus the symbol (le) is quite sufficient, in itself, to represent to the eye of the instructed reader, and thereby to suggest to his mind, the idea of reason; but if he would communicate the same idea to another, unless in a connection so familiar that it could not be mistaken, he must say taou le, in order to be un

Distinction between the Spoken and Written derstood; both words having one common sig

Language.

In the first number of the present volume, we entered at considerable length into the subject of the language of China, and particularly of the written medium, as used throughout the empire and in all the Chinese-language nations. While on this subject, we more than once adverted to the striking distinction between the written and spoken mediums of communication: a distinction which appears peculiar to the Chinese and its cognate languages; and which we stated to arise from the monosyllabic nature of the oral language, and the combination of ideographic symbols with more or less perfect representatives of sound, which exist in the written medium. Owing to this, it becomes requisite to use many more words in speaking than in writing; because the number of monosyllabic sounds being necessarily very confined, many different things come to be denoted by words of precisely the same sound, and the same tonic inflection; although differing in the written forms. The absence of an alphabet has proved a bar to the entire adoption of polysyllabic words, for the removal of this difficulty; because one character has still sufficed for expressing any

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nification, which is shown by their combination to be the signification intended by the speaker. Thus while the sound le alone would be ambiguous, because many words have the same sound, the phrase taou le is unambiguous,

because that combination of sounds al ways occurs with the same meaning. This may be further elucidated by a reference to what occasionally occurs, but in a far inferior degree, in alphabetic languages. Write the word heir; and it is known, without the use of any expletive, that you mean one who is a successor to the property or title of another; but if you would express this idea orally, you must add expletives, to prevent being misunderstood, and to show that you do not refer to the atmospheric air around you. Here is an instance of two such homophonous words: but in Chinese there are many instances of ten or twenty such; and, if the tonic inflections be disregarded, of as many even as one hundred and fifty. Since many of these are, however, rarely if ever used in speaking, let even two thirds of the number be deducted, and a very confusing number of homophonous words must still remain. This consideration shows strongly the desirableness, if possible, of introducing into China some kind of alphabet, as an in

strument of gradually rescuing the Chinese from their present Babel-like confusion of tongues.

Affinity between the Spoken and Written

Languages.

But, notwithstanding the wide distinction which we have noticed, between the written and oral languages of China, the written language is so far affected by the oral, that it becomes often in a great degree assimilated to it, by the accumulation of synonymous words, employed for the sake of euphony. This produces a great degree of affinity between these two languages, or rather these two mediums of communication; the consideration of which affinity induced us to embrace the opportunity afforded by our remarks on the written language, in the first number of this volume, to give a detail of the system of orthography which we have hitherto adopted. This has occasioned an intermixture of distinct topics, which certainly is not philosophical. It would doubtless have been more correct to treat of the written and oral languages as subjects altogether separate; following in this the arrangement adopted by M. Remusat, in his excellent Grammaire Chinoise. But it was requisite to sacrifice philosophical arrangement at the shrine of convenience. We, therefore, entered into some details respecting the Chinese system of sounds, giving a table of all the monosyllables contained in the national, or official language, in English orthography. We may here remark, that the system of orthography made use of for this purpose was not offered (though from inadvertence it purported to be so) as that "best adapted" to express the Chinese sounds; but as that which was, under existing circumstances, most convenient for use, being an alteration of the orthography of Dr. Morrison's valuable Chinese Dictionary, only so far, and in such slight degree, as was absolutely necessary in order to obtain uniformity. To show that this is by no means a perfect system of orthograghy, especially as regards the vowels, it is only necessary to remark, that the a is used both as in may, and as in papa; the e as in met, and as in he, and as the y in yet, and the other vowels with similar discrepancies.

Having said thus mach as to the distinctions between the written and oral languages, we will proceed to make a few remarks on the latter, and in particular on the variety of its dialects. In a succeeding number we propose to continue the subject, by offering some suggestions with regard to the general adoption of an improved system of orthography; such as may be suited, not merely to the existing orthography of any single nation of Europe, but equally fitted for general use among all accidental sinologues.

its sounds are so peculiar, its varied inflections of tone so minute, that it is not surprising that it has been so frequently characterized as barbarous, harsh, unintelligible; or that it has so rarely gained the attention of foreigners residing in the country where it is spoken. As, however, it becomes better known, as facilities for acquiring it are multiplied, and as the way is paved for the introduction of improvements in its structure and dress, we may hope to see it assume a more commanding attitude, and receive a more flattering degree of attention.

Origin of the different Dialects.

It is well known, that the difficulty of being understood in speaking Chinese is very much enhanced by the great differences which exist between the dialects of the several provinces, and even of various parts of the same province. In a nation which, from very small beginnings, has gradually extended its sway over so wide a territory, it is natural to expect that such would be the case. The general language of China, that which is spoken by the higher and middling ranks, who possess, or who aspire to offices under the government, has been from this circumstance denominated the kwan hwa, the language of public officers, or as it is more frequently called, "the mandarin tongue." Provincial dialects, or patois, are denominated too tan, local dialects; and, by the provincialists themselves, pih hwa, the plain speech, the mode of speaking most plain and obvious to their understandings.

The language of the present inhabitants of China seems to have originated in the northwestern extremity of the country, the modern province of Shense. By whom it was introduced, and how long after the confusion of tongues at Babel, are questions of a mixed philological and historical nature, which it cannot be expected ever satisfactorily to determine. As the petty state with whose history the Chinese annals commence, at a period very partially rescued from the obscurity of fabulous or darkened tradition, gradually spread its dominions eastward, its language also extended into the northern and eastern districts, the modern provinces of Honan, Shanse, Cheible, and Shantung.

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From thence it progressively advanced into the southern regions, which were often found pre-occupied by races more barbarous than those by whom it was spoken, and who were already in possession of languages less perfect in construction, and more harsh and unpolished in their nature. Over these also ually obtained supremacy, but not without incorporating a large portion of them, in more or less of their native imperfection and dissonance. In this manner have originated the very strongly marked dialects of Fuhkeen and Viewed as a whole, the oral language of a small part of Chekeang, of large portions of China is so contrary, in most of its idioms, to Kwangtung and Kwangse, as well as of all the languages of the west, that long study Tungking and Cochinchina, and not improbaof it is necessary to enable a European to un-bly of the mountainous districts of Kweichow. derstand it, or to be understood in speaking In a still inferior measure, it extended to, and it, to any considerable extent. And many of blended with, the original languages of Japan,

Corea, and Lewchew; in which places, as inject, until we have obtained a more intimate Japan, it is so greatly altered, or, as in Corea, so equally mixed, as to have lost, in its spoken form, almost every perceptible resemblance to its native character.

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Where such barbarous tribes were found, or where, being less firmly established, they were more easily expelled, the language continued to maintain in a greater degree its original character, and was subjected chiefly to those changes alone which are the universal attendants of progressive improvement, or to those discrepancies which are the natural consequences of the separation of the several parts of an extensive empire. Revolutions, conquests, and divisions have been not less frequent in China than elsewhere, wherever the human heart is left free to the impulses of criminal ambition, revenge, and animosity. Nor have invasions been wanting to aid the effect of the separations thus occasioned, by the introduction of foreign terms and idioms. The dialects that have been chiefly affected in this way are those of Keangnan (or Keangsoo and Nganhwuy), Keangse, the chief part of Chekeang, and liookwang. But the northern provinces, where the language was spoken, Shense, Shanse, Cheihle, and Honan, baving been frequently subjected to invasions, are those in which the language has been chiefly affected in this way; while Keangnan, having, in consequence of such hostile inroads, been for a long period, the residence of the Chinese court, and the chief seat of learning, is now regarded as the place where the language is spoken in its greatest purity. Shantung, the birth-place of Confucius, shares with it this distinction.

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Those provinces which have been populated at a more modern period, by colonization, have received the language without any great detraction from its purity. Such are the lately colonized districts of Sungara, and, in a measure, the provinces of Kansuh and Szechuen, together with some portions of Kwangtung and Kwangse. Yunnan is too little known for us to hazard even an opinion respecting it. With regard to many of the other provinces, which are at a distance from the coast, we are compelled also to speak with caution and diffidence; and such must continue to be the case, not only on this, but on many other subjects, which the Romish missionaries in China have but slightly touched upon, until the gates of this empire shall have been thrown open, to admit the free intercourse of foreigners with its own people.

General Character of some of the Dialects.

The characteristics of the general language of China (often but improperly called the mandarin dialect,) vary a little in different parts of the empire, according to the more lively or more phlegmatic character of the people who speak it. Of this we may convince ourselves even by the very slight intercourse which it is here permitted us to maintain with the better classes of people from other provinces: but we cannot venture to enter into details on the sub-"

acquaintance with the various parts of the empire. The main characteristics of the language are, however, everywhere the same. The most prominent of these is the absence of all consonantal terminations, nasals alone excepted, and the frequent recurrence of short vowels at the end of words, which, in the Fuhkeen dialect, are commonly altered by the addition of one or other of the mute consonants k, p, t, and usually also in the Canton dialect; while in the northern provinces they are drawn out into their corresponding long vowels. From the nature of the language, it must necessarily want the smooth flow of words, and the beauty, of a polysyllabic language; but at the same time we cannot regard it as very rough in its structure, much less as harsh and dissonant. Neither can it be considered peculiarly a nasal language, though from the not unfrequent occurrence of ng, at the beginning of a word, it may often appear so to Europeans, who can hardly enunciate the sound in that position. It may be mentioned as a peculiar characteristic of the general language of China that its consonants are almost all such as require the use of breath alone, without the exertion of vocal organs. From the prevailing character and habits of the people, the language abounds in terms of politeness, formality, and servile adulation, while it is in an equal degree barren of all tender and endearing expressions.

In the dialects of the north, many guttural sounds are introduced which are foreign to Chinese, and the aspirates are softened down or corrupted. The short vowels are lengthened, so as to remove the native abruptness and vivacity of the central provinces. Of those dialects the peculiarities of which are strongly marked, that of Canton and the adjoining districts comes nearest to the general language; but it does not generally possess in common with the latter the liquid sound of y after a consonant; it is more guttural, and is also in other respects more rough and dissonant than the general language. The character of the people of this province and the natural tone of their voices, are such as to give them often the appearance of anger, even in their ordinary conversation. The dialect of Fuhkeen, which extends, with slight modifications, into the eastern districts of Kwangtung, is the most strongly marked of all the dialects of China. It is exceedingly nasal, and is very harsh and rough. It abounds, however, in the vocal consonant b, which is unknown in all the other dialects: in the northern districts of the province this consonant, however, becomes either p or m, the same as in the general language. But what is most remarkable in this dialect is the strong distinction between the reading of the written, and the speaking of the oral, languages. Thus, the character, one of the names of Fuhkeen, is in reading pronounced Bin; but in speaking the same name is pronounced Ban. This kind of double language may afford a subject of curious inquiry to the philologist: it exists likewise in Cochinchina; the language of which country bears a general resemblance, in other respects also, to the

Fuhkeen; with however one conspicuous exception, the absence of the highly nasal character of the latter. The sound of v, which is hardly known in China, is common in Cochinchina and Tungking.

mon. It remains only to advert to the language of Corea, which present to us another curious anomaly. In that country, the Chinese language, without any great corruption, holds a mere equality with the native language of the country. For instance, to sit is in Chinese expressed by tso; while in Corean it is inal native word, and cho a slight corruption of the Chinese.-With these brief and unconnected remarks we must leave this interesting subject to the further researches of philo

The Chinese language as spoken ir. Japan has undergone great changes; but we have not the necessary acquaintance with its varia-expressed by indjil cho; indjil being the orig. tions to enable us to speak of them in detail. Much of the change wrought in it may probably be attributable to the adoption of an alphabet. It seems to be wholly devoid of the nasal sound ng, nor do the nasal n and m occur fre-logists. quently. Consonantal terminations are com

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

CHOCTAWS.

MRS. Wilson, wife of the Rev. Henry R. Wilson, was removed by death on the 18th of July, after being sick of a fever about two weeks. She had been among the Choctaws

but a few months, but had become much attached to them, and had exhibited endowments and qualifications, connected with activity and zeal, which gave promise of great usefulness, if her life had been spared. Her confidence in Christ on the bed of death was strong and unwaving, and her end eminently peaceful.

The bereaved husband, under date of July 27th, furnishes the following particulars respecting her sickness.

Her disease was remittent fever, of a very obstinate and highly bilious character. I was permitted to be with her during the whole of her illness; though without any assistance; having to act as physician, cook, and nurse. The Lord dealt very tenderly with her during her sickness, permitting her to rest her soul with unshaken confidence on Christ, and not suffering a single cloud to obstruct her view of Him, until the hour of her release. Often when asked if she needed any thing, she would say, "No, nothing, I have Christ, what can I want beside?" Her hope was in the peace-speaking blood and atoning righteous ness of the Lord Jesus Christ. "I know," said she, "I am a vile polluted sinuer, but the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin." When asked, a short time before her death, if she had still a hope in Christ, she replied, "Yes, I know in whom I have believed-I know that my Redeemer liveth, and though worms may destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." Have you peace in your mind? "Yes, as much as I can realize and more than I can express." "Oh how precious are the promises of God-how sure a foundation on which to build our hopes." She often requested me to read to her from the word of God. The twenty-third Psalm in particular gave her great delight. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, yet will I

fear no evil, for Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." On being asked, if she had her choice, whether she would rather live or die, she said, "If it were my Father's will to release me from sin and suffering I should rather"-she was going to say "die," but after a short pause, she said, "But oh! this poor people, what have I done for them? I came here for their salvation, but I have done nothing for them. If it were the Lord's will, I should like to live for them, but not my will but thine be done." On being asked, if she regretted having left her friends to come here and die among a people who knew not the Lord, she replied, "No, nevernever-never."

On Saturday morning, the 18th instant, she began to sink very rapidly, and about ter Io'clock, A. M., without a struggle, a groan, or even the distortion of a feature, she fell asleep in Jesus, to wake with him in glory. "Even so come Lord Jesus."

Mr. Wright, in noticing the decease of Mrs. Wilson, remarks—

But one thing appeared to cause regret at the thought of death, and that was, that she had been able to do no more, directly, for the spiritual good of the poor Choctaws. This she had much at heart. And to enable her to do this she had made considerable proficiency in acquiring the native language: but though unable to communicate instruction in it, she seldom suffered any female who came for medicine or any other purpose to go away, without endeavoring to impart to them some instruction respecting the Savior, through a female interpreter who was always at hand.

Perhaps few if any females have entered our Indian missions possessing in a higher degree more qualities of heart which inspire confidence and love in their fellow-laborers, and which fit for usefulness, than Mrs. Wilson did. Although she had been a member of the mission but a few months, she was greatly beloved. That one so eminently fitted for usefulness should be so soon removed, appears a dark dispensation; but it is right, for the Lord hath done it; and we desire to bow with much submission to his holy will.

SMYRNA.

MR. Homan Hallock, connected with the printing establishment at Smyrna, is now on a visit to this country, with the consent of his mission and the approbation of the Prudential Committee. His object is to superintend the cutting of punches for two or three founts of type in the Armenian character, and the casting of the necessary amount of type. It was ascertained that the proper type could no where be procured in the Levant, and that the only way to obtain them was to prepare matrices expressly for the purpose. This could be done most advantageously and economically in the United States.

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ago, in company with Rev. Mr. Coan, visited Patagonia, under direction of the Board, and Mr. Alfred North, a printer, formerly residing in Utica, N. Y., embarked at Boston, on board the barque Rosabella, captain Hammatt, bound for Batavia. Messrs. Arms and North were accompanied by their wives.Messrs. Dickinson and North will proceed to Singapore; the former to prosecute the study of the Chinese language, preparatory to entering on missionary labors in some part of China; and the latter to take charge of the printing establishment at that place.—Mr. and Mrs. Arms are expected to go to Padang, on the southwest coast of Sumatra, with a view to laboring ultimately among the Niyas people, or the Battas, as the providence of God shall direct.

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Greene co. N. Y. Aux. So. Rev. Dr. Porter, Tr.
Catskill, O. Day, to constitute

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Osbornville, Windham, Rev. L.
B. Van 'yck, 20, C. Camp, 5;
Hampden co. Ms. Aux So. S. Warriner, Tr.
Agawam, Gent. 14.66; la 11,48;
Blandford, Gent. 41,67; la. 21,65;
Miss Watson's sch. 4,57;

Contre Lisle, N. Y. By A. Orton,
Longmeadow, Gent. 41,25; la.

26 14

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64 61

Ludiow, Gent. 19.89; la. 16,51;

36 40

Monson, Gent. 7,51; mon. con.

70,20; for M. Her. 2,25; South Hadley Canal,

89 96

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