zeformation; the necessity of which is strongly shewn in the conclusion. The Third Discourse was delivered to a parochial congregation in Lincolnshire; and appears particularly adapted to animate us in the defence of our country, and at the same time to confidence in God. It is founded on that noble and ani- In the peace thereof shall ye Mr. Ford, in No. V. examines the signs of the times" (Mat. xvi. 3) not in a political, or even a prophetic view; but he conceives that it becomes us to pay an attentive and religious regard to the aspect of the times in which we live." He, therefore, properly enumerates the signs of the present times, and very ably enforces the duties which those circumstances suggest to Christians. Mr Hughes's cloquent Discourse (No. VI) is founded on Zech. viii. 21, 22. After opening this text in the original sense of the prophecy, Mr. Hughes, adapting it to present circumstances, proceeds" to refer, with pious and patriotic feeling, to the state of our country; - -to ad- No. VII. From Ps. cxliv. 15, Mr. Collison, 1st, reviews the distinguishing blessings and privileges of Britons, natural, civil, and religious; and, 2dly, points out the duties evidently resulting from such advantages; particularly gratitude, humiliation, exertions for the public defence, and a recollection of past deliverances. All which topics are discussed with very considerable ability. No. VIII. Though published as a small tract only, for general circulation, contains the substance of an Address delivered from the pulpit at Spa-fields chapel, Aug 30, on occasion of a prayer-meeting for the nation. It is founded on the same text as No III; and is like Mr Jerram's, animated and pointed. Upon the whole, we are pleased to see this important subject placed in so many useful points of view, and discussed by such a variety of talents; we are also happy to see all denominations anxious to emulate each other in loyalty and patriotism, in the present import. ant juncture; and we sincerely hope it will please God to realize the prediction, in which they all of deliverance and safety concur, to our country. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. thodical and Instructive Cate THE following interesting paper was written previous to the late rupture between England and France. The serious reader will regret that, for the present, the prosecution of the war presents an insurmountable obstacle to the generous efforts of Britons, in behalf of the Protestant Religion in that country. Memoir, committed to the care of Mr. O——, an English Gentleman, by M. Martin, Pastor of the Reformed Church at Bourdeaux, to be presented to the London Missionary Society. MR. O was requested to present to the London Missionary Society the following observations made upon reading the Report of the Deputation sent to enquire into the State of Religion in France; and to recommend them to the attention of those gentlemen, with all the arguments which his talents and zeal can furnish him with. The plan which the London Missionary Society has formed, to establish and propagate the principles of pure Christianity through out the whole extent of France, will ever do honour to the memory of those who devised it, and entitle them to the love and gratitude of every real Christian. To assist the execution of so praiseworthy and beneficent a design, the four following measures are proposed; but which can here be only sketched out: I. To publish an Address to the French Protestants, to revive their zeal; and to engage them, everywhere, to re-establish divine worship. II. To establish a correspond. ence as extensive as circumstances will admit, between the Society in England and the Reforined Churches in France. chisms; 4. A Collection of Prayers, such as that called "The Food of the Soul," by M. Ostervald; 5. Writings adapted to advance the knowledge and love of the Christian Religion; 6. A Periodical Work, intended to defend the doctrines and precepts of Christianity, and in which, while matters of controversy are avoided, respect for the government and submission to the laws of the state are recommended. If religious books are scarce in France, it is to be attributed, 1st, To the revocation of the edict of Nantz; and to the persecutions which followed, during a period of eighty years: ad, To the prin ciples of the Infidels, who, during the reign of Terror, endeavoured to abolish Christianity; and who thought to obtain their end, by committing to the flames a great part of the writings of the ecclesiastics. IV. To grant pecuniary aid to pastors; especially those who have large families. It is proper to observe, that the French ministers are in general very poor: that their churches do not afford them the necessaries of life: was enacted, it has never yet been put in force; and there is reason to fear that it will not, for a long time to come. If, therefore, the London Society would send pecuniary assistance to the French pastors, the greatest good would result to religion; for, 1st, The pastors would take fresh courage, and proceed with more ardour in the promotion of religion and piety. 2d, They would not be obliged to engage in occupations foreign to their ministry; and they would devote their whole time to the service of the churches. 3d, They would be enabled to give a better education to their children, who might succeed them in their charges. 4th, The ministers who have quitted their profession to follow others which afforded more certain means of subsistence, would not hesitate to resume their offices. 5th, In short, the Christian ministry offering the means of procur. ing the necessaries of life, many young persons would embrace the profession; the number of churches would increase, and the Protestant doctrine would rapidly spread. Present circumstances are very favourable for the execution of the plan formed by the London Mis. sionary Society. 1st, Because the dangerous tendency of the principles of infidelity, and necessity of religion, are ac knowledged. 2d, Because the most enlightened Catholics prefer the Protestant to the Romish religion. 3d, Because the Romish clergy, no longer possessing riches whereby to foster the credulity of the people, are fast losing their inHuence; and the time is come when Truth must triumph over the sophistry of Error.-in support of this opinion, we may appeal to the example of several cities, and particularly to Bourdeaux, where mul titudes of Catholics attend the Protestant worship; and where many families have renounced Popery to embrace the doctrines of the Reformation, Bourdeaux, April 25, 1803. Abstract of the Report of the THE Committee observe that they The Committee are in correspondence with the Directors of the Berlin Seminary for the selection of four more of the students, who are to be placed under a course of inThe Comstruction suited to the peculiar objects of the Society. mittec express their hope that the forwardness of strangers to engage in this arduous work, will provoke to holy jealousy many of their own countrymen, and kindle the same spirit of fervent zeal in many members of their own church, to diffuse the knowledge of Christ in the Heathen world. Mr. Mozely's memoir respecting a Chinese translation of the Scripunder the consideration tures, is yet of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. The Arabic edition of the Scriptures is proceeding, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Carlyle, who is recently returned from Turkey and Palestine, to which part of the world he went as Chaplain to the British Embassy at Constantinople. The indifferent state of his health since his return, has, however, retarded the progress of this important undertaking. The Appendix contains Papers of considerable importance, from which the following Extracts are made. No. 1, presents us with the copy of a letter from a Clergyman in Ceylon to a Gentleman in this country, dated Columbo, Dec. 1301, from which we shall select a few extracts. "There can scarcely be any doubt that, if the exertions which are practicable were made, the whole inhabitants in the British territories here, would willingly embrace the glad tidings of salvation." "From the time that the English took possession of this island, until the arrival of Mr. North, the Christian Schools, and education of the inhabitants, were entirely neglected. Many of the Churches had fallen down in ruins, and thousands of those, who once called themselves Chris. tians, had returned to their ancient Paganism and Idolatry. During the Dutch go vernment, no native could be admitted into any office without professing that he was a member of the Reformed Church. There was likewise a prohibition against erecting any new Pagan temples, which falling to the ground on the arrival of the English, the number of these has been doubled. However, the more lenient measures which government now adopts, promise to improve the knowledge of those who still call themselves Disciples of Christ, and may, perhaps, be the means of recovering the lost sheep. "The British possessions on the island are divided into four districts. These are divided into counties, which are subdivided into parishes. In every parish is established one Protestant-school, where the youth are instructed in reading and writing their own language, and in the principles of Christianity. The Protestants likewise attend divine service there on Sundays and other holidays. Over every ten schools is appointed one cathechist, whose busi. ness it is to perform a visitation once a month, to enquire into the conduct of the teachers, to examine the progress made by the scholars, and to exhort them to Industry aud diligence, "In each of the lesser districts is esta blished a native officiating preacher, who has been examined by the present Governor and Ordinary, and who is instructed to perform divine service in one of the churches or schools every Sunday; to administer the sacrameut of baptism, and to solemnize marriages; to exhort the sick ΟΙ dying, and to bury the dead according to the form of the church of England. He is also instructed to visit all the schools within his province, at least three times in the year, during which, he is to endeavour to edify his flock by his conversation and his sermons, to examine par ticularly the conduct and ability of the catechists and schoolmasters, and to inform the Principal of the schools minutely of all that occurs. "In each of the principal districts are one, two, or three clergymen, who have been ordained in Europe; to each of whom is committed a superintending charge of a certain number of the schools, of which he performs a visitation once a year, and administers the holy communion. "Some of the native preachers and catechists are really men of principles and abilities, and extremely useful. "By the last general returns in the ecclesiastical department, there were nearly 170 schools, and upwards of 342,000 Protestant Christians. The number of Christians professing the religion of the church of Rome, is likewise very great. There are about fifteen of these priests on the island, who are indefatigable in their Jabours, and are daily making proselytes. Religious knowledge is so confined, that the people gladly make use of any prayers, or forms, which are given to them; and have scarcely any books to study, unless the Bible. The doctrines of those who have been educated by the Dutch are purely Calvinistic, and their sermons evange lical. "The Honourable Frederic North, governor of the island, has interested himself deeply in the diffusion of our holy religion; and I hope that the beneficial effects of his care and attention will be long felt by the inhabitants of this island. "Besides the establishments already mentioned, we have at Columbo a very flourishing academy divided into three schools, Cingalese, Malabar, and European. They are taught English as well as the native languages, in the most perfect manner. The Cingalese are sons of the head men; and several of them already converse very well in English, and make tolerable translations. These young men will be well grounded in the principles of Christianity; and I have great hopes that, when spread abroad amongst their countrymen, their influence and example will produce the most happy consequentes, 3 N "A supply of English Bibles, PrayerBooks, and any other useful books, would be of the greatest benefit to us." the Appendix, No. 2, is taken from ChristianObserver.vol.1.p.329. Appendix No. 4, contains thoughts concerning a mission to Astracan, by the Rev. Henry Brunton, who, as appears from the next article in the appendix, has to a considerable degree, succeeded in carrying into execution his own suggestions. The account of his success is contained in a letter from that gentleman, dated Corass, Beshasaw, near Geotghieusk, January 27, 1803; an abstract of which may not be unacceptable to our readers. "I have met with a degree of prosperity in my undertaking, that makes me afraid. Providence has enabled me to do more than ever I meditated. We have Fixed ourselves in a village which separates the Tartars from the Cabordians, who inhabit a great part of Caucasus. Most of these are Mahometans; but they have been lately converted, and, on that ac court, are considered to be less tenacious of their religion than the Tartars. The place in which we have settled, is on the frontier of the Russian empire; but properly in the Circassian country. "We do not conceive that we are in much danger, as the people behave to us in a friendly way. The place is healthy. I never had better health anywhere. "My plan for attempting the conversion of the Tartars and other nations, situated between Europe and India, has always been to form an academy for educating youths, in some central situation where protection might be found; that those of them who should appear most rious, sensible, and zealous, might go into their native countries and preach the Gospel. proposed to ransom them for this purpose, as I dreaded lest those who are free could not be procured. "I have already informed you of my being introduced to a nobleman, to whom I owe much, who is one of the Emperor's principal ministers. To him I endeavour. ed to explain the plan that I had meditated, and to show him, that the conversion of the Tartars to Christianity, would be highly favourable to their condition; as it would lead them to cultivate the soil, and form among themselves such relations and institutions as bind civilized so ciety; for, in my opinion, their wander ring life and Christianity, are totally inconsistent with each other. I never heard of a wanderiag Christian nation. "This benevolent and obliging nobleman was too sagacious not to discern this, He explained our object to the Emperor, who allowed him to give us an open let ter to governors, &c. &c. &c. requiring them to afford us protection and assistance; and promised to further any plan for pro moting our object. "We accordingly travelled by the way of Moscow, Sarepta, Astracan, &c. &c. above 3000 versts; and at last fixed on the place where we now are. It is within a few days journey of Persia and Bokkaria, and within 50 miles of Turkey. "After proceeding thus far, I thought it adviseable to write to the nobleman who had been so obliging, to see whether it might be possible for us to obtain the privileges that we conceived to be neces sary for the execution of our plan. With out liberty to ransom the slaves of the people around us (particularly those of them who might become Christians) and Jand for those to settle on who might embrace our opinions, and security for them against the outrages of their bigot ted countrymen, I saw no way in which we could hope for success. "I ventured therefore to propose seve ral articles, to which I wished to procure the sanction of the Emperor, and which I conceived to be sufficient to lay a founda. tion for the liberty and safety of all who might embrace the Gospel within 500 versts of us. To all which the Emperor has agreed, and has ordered land to be given us when we may want it. "It is impossible to express how much we are obliged to the Russians. "Although I doubt not the Society for Missions to Africa and the East have al ready sufficient engagements, yet may I not venture to ask, Whether they might not ransom a few Tartar youths? Should any of them prove pious, they might af terwards do much in propagating the gos pel. I humbly conceive that I could teach them any language that you would wish them to be taught. I should take care especially to teach them the Persian lauguage. You cannot conceive the respect and attention that a Tartar or Circassian would meet with, who understood. the Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and Tartar languages well. Should I die, there would be others of my associates to take care of them." MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS. £. s. d. Paisley Branch of the London Mission. Society, by W. Carlile 40 The Glasgow Committee of ditto, by Mr. McKenzie Collection at Fordham, by Rev. Mr. Harris, received May 23d 9 12 24 |