1831.] INDIA WITHIN THE GANGES. the children, or who attend the examination of the Scholars. It is, moreover, in these Schools, as in seed-plots, that suitable Youths for the Boarding School are to be reared and trained. The two species of Schools work well together; and the object to be aimed at is, to bring them to bear on each other as effectually as possible. Summary of the Allepie Station. Average Attendance on Public Worship.... 340 Communicants.. Candidates for Baptism.. ...... 22 Schools.. for Lord's Supper 16 Scholars:-Boys.............. 12 38 5 177 LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. under the patronage and supported at the expense of the Bengal Government: these Schools, containing, on an average, from 2000 to 2500 scholars, have ever since continued under the superintendence of the Society's Missionaries at this Station. Beside the Schools supported by the Bengal Government, there have been established several Native Boys' Schools, more immediately connected with the Mission, and solely under its direction: the number of scholars in these latter Schools has fluctuated between 200 and 500. Many Native Females, also, have enjoyed the advantages of school-instruction under the wing of the Mission. In addition to their direct utility, these Schools have been productive of valuable effects on the minds of the people generally; especially in allaying the spirit of prejudice and gainsaying: and, while the Youth instructed have improved in useful learning and Christian Knowledge, their parents, and many other Native Adults, both in Chinsurah and in the surrounding country, have enjoyed the privilege of hearing the Gospel faithfully preached by the Missionaries. According to the returns of one year, there were, beside six Preaching-houses or Chapels and other Out-door Stations, fourteen Preaching-places at a distance: indeed, at all the School-stations the Gospel has been preached to the Native Population: the hearers have usually listened with attention: inquiries have frequently been made with apparent seriousness; and individuals have manifested much earnestness in the investigation of truth: but, generally speaking, they have evinced great indifference to the claims of Christianity and their own spiritual welfare; and, with deep concern we add, that we are not aware that a single Native at this Station has afforded evidence of genuine conversion to Christ. Christian Knowledge, however, THE Directors have given the sub- has, by means of the preaching of the joined Summary View of the Mission at Chin surah. Although so early in the history of the Society as 1799 one of its Missionaries preached and established a School at this Settlement, no Missionary, belonging to it, was permanently stationed here till 1813; when Mr. May arrived, who exerted himself so commendably in the formation and superintendence of Native Schools, which were afterward taken Gospel, the Native Schools, and the distribution of the Scriptures and Tracts, been, to a considerable extent, disseminated among the people: and, while light has thus continued to be diffused around, prejudice against the Truth to abate, and the predilections of the people in favour of Idolatry to diminish, we trust it will, in the issue, appear that these results were preparative to an extensive and cordial reception of Christianity on the part of the Natives of this place and vicinity. Ceylon. AMERICAN BOARD OF MISSIONS. In addition to the communication of Mr. Winslow, printed at pp. 466, 467 of our last Number, the Rev. Daniel Poor, of Batticotta gives a Second Instance of the Effective Distribution of the Scriptures. I know not how I can make a more acceptable return to the British and Foreign Bible Society, for the generous aid which they have rendered in furnishing the Native Inhabitants of this vicinity with the Sacred Scriptures, than by a concise statement of facts, relative to the manner in which the fruits of their bounty have been disposed of, so far as I have been permitted to serve as their almoner. In the Seminary under my more immediate inspection, consisting at present of 70 Native Youths, collected from various parts of the district, a systematic study of the Bible holds a prominent place in the prescribed course of instruction. For a long time, the Members of the Seminary, many of whom have passed through their course of study, and have been regularly dismissed, were necessarily confined, for want of adequate supplies of books, to very small portions of the Scriptures: but, in consequence of the grants made at different times by the Parent Institution to the Colombo Auxiliary Society, to which we are indebted for their kind attention to our wants, we have gradually received supplies adequate to our necessities: consequently the several classes are enabled to pursue the regular study of the Bible, without interruption; and each individual is furnished, or has the prospect of being furnished, by the time that he finishes his course of study, with the whole of the Sacred Volume, for his private use. Besides supplying the want of the Seminary, which was the first and most important object, I have sent by these Native Youths, who statedly visit their friends once a quarter, single copies of the Gospels, as presents to their parents or nearest relations, with the particular request that they would carefully peruse those Scriptures; by which they might clearly understand how it happens that Missionaries are sent hither, from Christian Countries, for the gratuitous instruction of their children. The reports, respecting the manner in which these presents were received, have induced me to repeat them; and to give information, that we are ready to furnish any one with the means of perusing the whole of the Scriptures, who wishes for this privilege. In connexion with the Seminary, there are upward of twenty persons, Members of our Church, who are employed, at stated seasons, in distributing and reading Tracts and small portions of the Scriptures. These Native Helpers are furnished with the Scriptures for distribution, in consequence of the liberal grants of the Parent Society. In the prosecution of my labours as a Missionary to the Heathen, my gratitude to God has been often awakened for the goodly supply of the Scriptures with which I have been furnished for nearly three years past. I am the more affected by this subject, when I contrast our present state, in this respect, with what it was six or eight years ago. I have increasing evidence, from my own observation, that the Word of God is to be the grand instrument of converting these degraded idolaters to the worship and service of the Living God. Polynesia, Sandwich Islands. AMERICAN BOARD OF MISSIONS. THE Vincennes U. S. Sloop-of-War, of which the Rev. C. S. Stewart late Missionary at these Islands is Chaplain, visited them in October and November 1829. Mr. Stewart's Narrative of his Visit to these Seas has lately appeared. We extract his description of a Sabbath Scene in Hawaii. At an early hour of the morning, a single person here and there, or a groupe of three or four, wrapped in their large mantles of various hues, might be seen winding their way among the groves, fringing the bay on the east, or descending from the hills and ravine on the north, toward the Chapel; by degrees their numbers increased; till, in a short time, every path along the beach and over the uplands presented an almost uninterrupted procession of both sexes and of every age, all pressing to the House of God. Even to myself it was a sight of surprise-surprise, not at the magnitude of the population, but that the object for which they were evidently assembling should bring together so great a multi 1831.] POLYNESIA. tude. When at this very place, only Like mountain torrents pouring to the main, The scene, as looked on in the stillness of a brightly-gleaming Sabbath Morning from our ship, was well calculated, with its associations, to prepare the mind for strong impressions on a nearer view, when the conclusion of our own Public Worship should allow us to go on shore. Mr. Goodrich had apprised us, that he had found it expedient to hold the Services of the Sabbath-usually attended, at all the other Stations, at nine o'clock in the morning and at four in the afternoon-both in the forepart of the day, that all might have the benefit of two Sermons, and still reach their abodes before nightfall. For Numbers dwelt remote, And first must traverse many a weary mile, It was arranged, that, on this occasion, the Second Service should be postponed till about the time when the Officers should be at liberty to leave the ship. Though the Services had commenced when we landed, large numbers were seen circling the doors without, from the impracticability of obtaining places. The house is an immense structure, capable of containing many thousands: every part was filled, except a small area in front of the pulpit, where seats were reserved for us, and to which we made our way in slow procession, from the difficulty of finding a spot to place our feet without treading on the people, seated as closely almost as they could be stowed. As we entered, Mr. Goodrich paused in his Sermon till we should be seated. I ascended the pulpit beside him. The suspense of attention in the people was only momentary, notwithstanding the novelty to them of the laced coats, cocked hats, and other appendages of naval uniform. I can scarcely describe the emotions experienced, in glancing an eye over the immense number-seated so thickly on the matted floor as to seem literally one mass of heads covering an area of more than 9000 square feet. The sight was most striking; and soon became, not only to myself, but to some of my fellow-officers, deeply affecting. With the exception of the inferior Chiefs having charge of the district, and their dependants, and of two or three Native Members of the Church and of the Mission Family, scarcely one of the whole multitude was in other than the native dress. In this respect, and in the attitude of sitting, the assembly was purely Pagan-totally unlike those of the Society Islands—as unlike as to one at home. But the breathless silence, the eager attention, the half-suppressed sigh, the tear, the varied feeling-sad, peaceful, joyous-discoverable in the faces of many-all spoke the presence of an Inthe visible but Omnipotent Power Power which alone can melt and renew the heart of man, even as it, alone, first brought it into existence. From the thousands present, I might select many individuals, whose appearance was such as to stamp these impressions indelibly on my heart. The aspect of one, at least, I can never forget, and It was that of will attempt to describe. a diminutive Old Woman; shrivelled by age, till little more of her figure, with an appearance of health, was left, than skin and bone. The style of her features, however, was of the regular and more pleasing character found among the islanders, with an amiable and benignant expression; which, in connexion with an entirely whitened head, exacted from the observer a look of kindness in return. Folded in a large mantle of black tapa, she was leaning, when my eyes first fell upon her, against a pillar near the pulpit, beside which she was sitting, with her head inclined upward and her eyes fixed on the Preacher. There was not only a seriousness, but a deep pensiveness, in her whole aspect, which rivetted my attention; and, as Mr. Goodrich proceeded in his discourse, a tear was seen occasionally to start in her eye, and more than one made its way down her deeplywrinkled cheeks upon her mantle. I had not, in my long absence, so entirely forgotten the native language, as not to understand much that was said. After some time this sentence was uttered: "We are all sinners-but we have a God and Saviour who will forgive us our sins, if we ask it of Him. It is our duty to pray for this to God; and He hears the prayers of all who approach Him in sincerity.' I happened at the moment to look again upon this object: her attitude and aspect was the same, except that her lips moved in the evident and almost audible repetition of the sentence. She again repeated it, as if to be certain that she heard and understood it correctly; and, as she did so, a bright and peaceful smile spread over every feature -tears gushed rapidly from her eyes, and she hid her face in the folds of her garment. Could I be deceived in the interpretation of this case? Could I mistake in the causes and the nature of those varied emotions under the circumstances under which they were beheld; and in one, of whom I had never heard, and whom I had never before seen? I could not: and, if so-what is the language they speak? They plainly say, that this poor woman, grown grey in the ignorance and varied degradation of Heathenism, by the lamp let down from Heaven sees herself to be a sinner, and is oppressed to sadness and to sighing under a sense of her guilt. But she hears of pardon and salvation, freely given to all who will freely receive-hears of the glorious liberty of the Gospel, and of all the rich privileges which it confers, even to nigh access, and intimate communion with the Father of Spirits-hears and be lieves, and sinks before her God, in tears of gratitude and of joy! North-West America. Red-River Colony. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. A BRIEF notice of this Station occurs at p. 336. The Rev. W. Cockran gives the following view of the Progress and Influence of the Mission. It is a source of thankfulness, to see a Christian Church in the Wilderness. We saw the first Church well filled: to that we added a second, and were equally successful in collecting an audience and now we have added a third, to direct the weary wanderer to the place where he may obtain everlasting rest; and, what ought still to increase our thankfulness, we have a Congregation ready to enter into it. The same men who have, with their hatchets and saws and planes, erected a House for the honour of God, will bring their wives, their sons, and little-ones; and there we shall join and sing the praises of the Author of our being, the praises of Him who has redeemed us with the price of His own blood-of Him who is to sanctify us, and make us fit for heaven... All has been done by the voluntary exertions and contributions of the heads of 76 Families, who regularly attended Divine Service, at the Rapids. They are all poor; but their willingness has surmounted the impediments which poverty laid in their way. As regularly as the Sabbath Morning returns, we see whole families approaching, for the purpose of adoring their Creator in the way which He has appointed. No stormy weather prevents them from assembling. Fear less of the snow, the wind, or the rain, they force their way to the House of God. There they take their place; there they sing and pray; and hear the Word of God read and preached. Can we behold so much zeal, attention, and apparent devotion, with cold indifference? Can we see so many assembled together for the most laudable employment, without feeling thankful to God for His mindfulness in making a covenant suitable to our wants, and of His condescension in visiting us with the means of salvation? Can we revolve in our minds the banks of the various rivers, lakes, and creeks on which the different Members of our Congregations were born, and not be led to admire the mysterious and gracious dispensations of Divine Providence in gathering so many from afar to hear the words by which they may be saved from misery, and raised to the glories of heaven? There also appears to be a growing respect, among our population, for the Ordinance of Matrimony. The Protestant Population may amount to 1200; and, among the whole, I have not known of more than two illegitimate children born during the last year. This must, to every unprejudiced mind, be a convincing proof of their moral improvement. It also exhibits the egregious mistake of those who have often affirmed that the doctrines which we preach are not calculated to reform the inhabitants, and to inculcate principles of sound Morality and Religion: this change for the better has certainly been brought about by the doctrines which we preach. We continue to attend to the instruction of the Children and Adults on Sundays, as usual. The number of those who attend is pretty large, considering the scattered state of the population, and other impediments which must ever lie in their way whilst placed in this particular situation. Many are six miles distant from School. The Rev. D. T. Jones thus speaks of the Education of Indian Youths. In the Summer of 1829, two Youths from over the Rocky Mountains-Kootamey and Spogan-went to visit their friends and relatives; and returned again, soon after the closing of our communications of last year, bringing with them five more Boys for education, all of whom are Chiefs' Sons, of much importance in their way. This shews, very evidently, the confidence placed by the Natives there in the good faith of the White People, and also the value which they attach to Christian Instruction: indeed, every person conversant with them represents their desires, on this head, as being extremely ardent. And I think it a feature peculiarly new and interesting, as connected with these Indians, that their desire for Teachers is not associated with any ideas of temporal benefit and aggrandisement. The impression which Kootamey and Spogan, in their relation of what they had learnt, made upon them, seems to have been very great, according to the account of the Company's Officers resident in this quar ter; but, of course, this will be evanescent, for want of a permanent and definitive system of instruction. Kootamey has departed this life: he died under very hopeful circumstances, on Easter Monday. Mr. Jones adds— Spogan is again sent back to his own country, to convey this mournful intelligence; as the Governor was doubtful of the effect, if the information reached them by any other channel. Summary of the Mission. Missionaries. Lay Assistants: Males... Females... Congregations 2 ..... 14 18 3 Average Attendance on Public Worship: Upper Church.. Middle Church Lower Church.. Communicants: Males............... 79 Baptisms: Adults. .300 ........300 200-800 Females ......... 64-143 12 - 78 Schools 6 Scholars-Boys: Native Indian........ Others... 60 ..131 191 Girls....... .......140 331 Recent Miscellaneous Entelligence. UNITED KINGDOM. Baptist Miss. Soc.-The Rev. Walter Dendy and Mrs. Dendy embarked, in the last week of October, on board the "Garland Grove," Captain Pengelly, to join the Mission in Jamaica. The increase of expenditure arising from the growth of the Society's Missions, combined with a considerable deficiency of income, having brought the Society into difficulties, one of its friends has placed at its disposal the sum of ONE THOUSAND POUNDS, accompanied by a Letter, from which we extract the following passage : I feel deeply persuaded, that if ALL would do WHAT THEY CAN, not only might the Society be at once relieved from its present embarrassments, but, if God shall continue to bless the work as He has done, the number of Missionaries might very shortly be doubled. This may, perhaps, require us to deny ourselves, by cutting off all UNNECESSARY expenses, or to lessen our provision for the POSSIBLE wants of a short earthly life; but is that to be compared with the thought of such a work as this being hindered by the want of funds? Surely none, who have themselves received the unspeakable gift, can hesitate to make even greater sacrifices than these, for the purpose of communicating this infinite blessing to their perishing fellow-sinners. Church Miss. Soc. The Rev. G. R. Nyländer, a valuable and faithful Missionary of the Society in Sierra Leone for nearly twenty years, died in 1825, leaving two Daughters, Hannah and Anne, who were born in that Colony. On the decease of their father, his Children were brought to England, and placed at the "Clergy Daughters' School," Cowan Bridge. From the progress which they have made in the several branches of education, during the six years which they have spent in that valuable Institution, it has been deemed advisable that they should return to Sierra Leone, where they may be usefully employed in giving instruction to the Female Children. On the 27th of October, the Instructions of the Committee were delivered to them by the Clerical Secretary; after which, the Rev. E. Bickersteth addressed to them a few words of counsel and instruction, and commended them in prayer to the favour It is the and protection of Almighty God. intention of the Committee that they should be placed respectively under the charge of Mrs. Betts and Mrs. Warburton-The Rev. Messrs. Betts and Raban, Mrs. Betts, and Mr. Rogers, together with Hannah and Anne Nyländer, embarked at Gravesend for Africa, on board the "Henry Porcher," Captain Baxter, on the 5th instant, and sailed on the following day. The Rev. David Morgan, Chaplain of Sierra Leone, who had spent a few months (see p. 295) in this country for the recovery of his health, returned by the "Henry Porcher." MEDITERRANEAN. Assassination of the President of GreeceCount Capo d'Istrias has fallen by the hands of assassins. On the morning of the 9th of October, as he was entering the Church at Napoli, two men, who were waiting for him at the door, fired their pistols at the back of his head, and gave him à sabre wound in the body: he fell dead upon the spot. The assassins were Constantine and George Mavromichaëlis, the Brother and Son of the wellknown Petro Bey, who has been in prison since January. Constantine was killed by the President's Guards: George took re uge in the house of the French Consul, but was A striking delivered up to the Senate. |