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guilty distance, encompassed with famine, to the rich and everlasting provisions of his house, will be a source of insupportable anguish when we shall see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, enter into the kingdom of God, and ourselves shut out. You are probably not aware of what importance it is to improve these sacred visitations; have not considered that they form a crisis, which, if often neglected, will never return. It is im possible too often to inculcate the momentous truth, that the character is not formed by passive impressions, but by voluntary actions, and that we shall be judged hereafter, not by what we have felt, but by what we have done.”

A Sketch of my Friend's Family, intended to suggest some Practical Hints on Religion and Domestic Manners. By Mrs. Marshall, Author of Henwick Tales. "TRAIN up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." This was not, perhaps, intended to be understood as indicating the infallible certainty of perseverance in the right path, when appropriate instructions are imparted to young persons, and proper discipline is maintained; it should not, however, be doubted, that moral and religious culture will be generally productive, under the favour of heaven, of good and permanent effects. What can excuse inattention to

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that admirable little work, that " principle, moral and religious principle, is the only solid basis of a good education." No juvenile library should be without Henwick Tales: the Sketch of my Friend's Family is not less worthy of re gard; it is replete with useful remarks, naturally introduced, besides the more general subjects it contains. The senti ments are given in lively and striking conversations, and their practical effects are exhibited in the deportment of those who entertain them.

But it is not to young persons only that this volume is likely to be useful. The effects of true religion on the cha racter and conduct of a wife and a mother are impressively described; and, in the same important relations, the sad consequences of evil-temper and tyranny are as usefully introduced. Errors on the subject of religion are corrected, and her best consolations are skilfully administered. Indeed, those who desire to communicate solid, useful, appropriate instructions to children and young

people, will do well to peruse our au thor's book, and to put it into the hands of all their young friends. The work is divided into chapters of a proper length, so that a child may finish any one with out weariness, and without difficulty recollect its principal contents. The style is neat, perspicuous, flowing, and sufficiently nervous.

suitable education, or compensate for its LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. neglect? Nothing which the fondest affection will ever have ability to be

stow.

A vicious course, in relation to this subject, has spoiled many a fine temper, and impeded the growth of not a few naturally good understandings. Ideas of a pernicious class have been allowed to accumulate, and habits ruinous to the happiness of the whole life, have been, without interdiction, formed. Eden, without some care and attention from the parents of mankind, would have declined in beauty and convenience; and where is there a human understanding, or a heart, that does not need, and that will not reward cultivation ?

In entire consistency with the spirit of these remarks, we express high approbation of the work now before us. The title informs us, that Mrs. Marshall has appeared before the publie in a former publication, and of Henwick Tales it is but mere justice to say, that, as they were designed, so they are adapted to amuse the mind, and to correct the sentiments of youth. In a very pleasing and forcible manner it is manifested, in

VOL. X.

In the Press,

A 3d Edition of a Collection of Hymns, designed as a New Supplement to Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns. By the Rev. James Upton; with an Appendix, containing many additional Hymns, some of which were never before printed.

For the Use of Sunday Schools. The Fifth Edition of the Clerkenwell Spelling and Reading Lessons, adapted to the new System of Education, by J. Aspin ; accompanied with honorary Badges for Monitors, &c. together with a Copy of the Plan of Instruction adopted in the Clerkenwell Parochial Sunday Schools.

Second Edition of A Tribute to the

Memory of a young Person lately des ceased; with a Funeral Sermon, by the Rev. Thomas Langdon.

Just Published,

A Blow at the Root, or a History of the Rise of Antinomianism, &c. &c. by the late Rev. Joh nFlavel.-Republished on account of the spread of that Heresy. Price 1s.

114

Missionary Retrospect and Foreign Intelligence,

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Of Circulating the Holy Scriptures.

In our Magazine for 1816, page 514, we inserted a very honourable testimony to the labours of Mr. Chamberlain at Hurdwar Fair, during the period of his residence at Sirdhana. The subjoined document affords very encouraging reason to hope that those exertions were not in vain; and presents an additional evidence of the propriety of dispersing copies of the word of God wherever missionaries can find access.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Mr.

Fisher, at Murut, to the Rev. Mr. Thomason, at Calcutta, dated Murut, May

6, 1817.

"I AM more and more convinced that the inhabitants of India are nearly in accessible to us in their present state, (I mean, with a view to their conversion,) from the gross ignorance and want of

common rudimental instruction which prevails among them; and the great means which India appears to be in want of at present, is a systematic plan of education, universally, patiently, and industriously to be acted upon throughout the whole of our territories. Only let the population have the power to read our scriptures, and we have done them a kindness, the benefit of which nothing can deprive them of. The

Bible may do its own work: that it can do so has been repeatedly proved, in spite of the melancholy forebodings, and sensitive jealousies of the adversaries to its distribution.

"Take an instance, iny dear brother, which I think so well calculated to cheer our spirits. You know that Anund Messee is now baptized. I shall send you his history in the next packet. We have every reason to believe in the sincerity of his Christian profession, and we hope for many beneficial results from his real ability and consistent life. The other day he asked my permission to leave his little school at M— -, to go over, for a few days, to Delhi; which was the more readily granted, as he still entertains hopes of bringing his wife over to the acceptance of the salvation of the gospel, as well as his brother and sisters. During his stay at Delhi, a report was in circulation that a number of strangers had assembled together (nobody knew why,) in a grove near the imperial city, and were busily employed, apparently in friendly conversation, and in reading some book in their possession,

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which induced them to renounce their caste, to bind themselves to love, and associate with one another, to intermarry only among their own sect, and to lead a strict and holy life.

"This account filled Anund with great anxiety to ascertain who and what they were; and he instantly set off for the grove which had been pointed out as the place of rendezvous. He found about 500 people, men, women, and children, seated under the shade of the trees, and employed, as had been related to him, in reading and conversation. He went up to an elderly-looking man, and accosted him; and the following conver sation passed:

"Friend, pray who are all these peo. ple, and whence come they!' We

are poor and lowly, and we read and love this book.' Anund. What is that book?' The book of God.' Anund. Let me look at it, if you please.' Anund, on opening it, perceived it to be the Gospel of our Lord, translated into the Hindoostanee tongue, many copies of which seemed to be in the possession of the party; some printed, others written by themselves from the printed ones.

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obtained; and all united to acknowledge the superiority of the doctrine of the Holy Book to every thing they had hitherto heard or known. An indiffer ence to the distinction of caste soon manifested itself; and the interference and tyrannical authority of their brahmins became more offensive and contemptible. At last, it was determined to separate themselves from the rest of their Hindoo brethren, and establish a party of their own, choosing out four or five who could read the best, to be public teachers from this newly acquired book. The numbers daily and rapidly increased, especially amongst the poor; which at last suggested the idea of convoking a public meeting of all their con genial associates, to ascertain how many accepted their new doctrine. The large grove near Delhi seemed a convenient spot, and this interesting group had now all met for this very purpose, when Anund's visit took place.

"Anund pointed to the name of Jesus, and asked Who is that?' That is God; he gave us this book.' Anund. • Where did you obtain it ?' 'An angel from heaven gave it me at HurdwarFair.' Anund. An angel!' Yes: to us he was God's angel; but he was a man, a learned Pundit.' (Doubtless, these translated Gospels must have been the books distributed five or six years ago at Hurdwar by the missionary.) • The written copies we wrote ourselves, having no other means of obtaining the Blessed Word.' 'These books,' said Anund, teach the religion of the European Sabibs. It is their book; and they printed it in our language for our use.' Ah, no;' replied the stranger, cannot be, for they eat flesh.' Jesus Christ,' said Anuud, teaches that it does not signify what a man eats or drinks. Eating is nothing before God; and not that which entereth into a man's mouth defileth him; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man for vile things come forth from the heart; and out of the heart proceedeth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, &c.: these are the things that defile.' That is true; but how can it be the European book, when we believe that it was God's gift to us at Hurdwar-Fair? Anund. God gave it long ago to the Sabibs, and they sent it to us.' I find, from Anund, that these Testaments were circulated at Hurdwar (I believe, by Mr. Chamberlain,) and falling into the hands of different people, resident in different but neighbouring villages, they were found to be interest- LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. ing records, and well worth the attention of the people.

"A public reader appears to have been selected by themselves in each of the villages, for the express purpose of reading the miraculous book; and their evenings have been habitually spent in this blessed employment; crowds gathering together to hear God's book. The ignorance and simplicity of many was very striking. Never having heard of a printed book before, its very appearance was to them miraculous.

"A great stir was created by the gradually increasing information hourly

"They seemed to have no particular form of congregational worship; but each individual made daily and diligent use of the Lord's Prayer. Anund asked them why they were all dressed in white. The people of God should wear white garments,' was the reply, as a sign that they are clean, and rid of their sins.' Anund observed, You ought to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Come to M.; there is a Christian padree there, and he will shew you what you ought to do.' They answered, Now we must go home to the harvest; but as we mean to meet once a year, perhaps the next year we may come to M.'

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"In consequence of this, I have deemed it advisable to send Anund to make all possible inquiry respecting these promising blossoms of hope, and trust to be enabled ere long to give you still more gratifying information.”

WE hinted in the last month that the "idols" in some of the South Sea Islands had been "utterly abolished." We now present our readers with a curious document, a letter from Pomare, the King of Otaheite.

TRANSLATION OF A LETTER FROM
POMARE, KING OF TAHITI,
(Usually written Otaheite.)
To the Missionaries.

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speech to you, my friends. I wish you to send those idols to Britane for the Missionary Society, that they may know the likeness of the gods that Tahiti worshipped. Those were my own idols, belonging to our family from the time of Taaroamanahune even to Vairaatoa t: and when he died he left them with me. And now, having been made acquainted with the true God, with Jehovah, He is my God, and when this body of mine shall be dissolved in death, may the Three-One save me! And this is my shelter, my close hiding place, even from the anger of Jehovah. When he looks upon me, I will hide me at the feet of Jesus Christ the Saviour, that I may escape. I feel pleasure and satisfaction in my mind; I rejoice, 1 praise Jehovah, that he hath made known his word unto me. I should have gone to destruction if Jehovah had not interposed. Many have died, and are gone to destruction, kings and common people; they died without knowing any thing of the true God; and now when it came to the small remainder of the people, Jehovah hath been pleased to make known his word, and we are made acquainted with his good word, made acquainted with the deception of the false gods, with all that is evil and false. The true God Jehovah, it was he that made us acquainted with these things. It was you that taught us; but the words, the knowledge, was from Jehovah. It is because of this that I rejoice, and I pray to Jehovah, that he may increase my abhorrence of every evil way. The Three-One, he it is that can make the love of sin to cease; we cannot effect that; man cannot effect it; it is the work of God to cause evil things to be cast off, and the love of them to cease.

I am going a journey around Tahiti, to acquaint the Ratiras with the word of God, and to cause them to be vigilant about good things. The word of God does grow in Tahiti, and the Ratiras are diligent about setting up houses for worship; they are also diligent in seeking instruction, and now it is well with Tahiti.

That principal idol, that has the red

* Taaroamanahune lived some ages ago, and was one of the ancestors of Pomare's family.

+ Vairuatoa, one of the names of old Pomare, the king's father, and though a friend to the missionaries, yet he was a most zealous advocate for the gods, and the old religion,

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*

feathers of the Otuu is Temeharo, that is his name, look you, you may know it by the red feathers; that was Vairaatoa's own god, and those feathers were from the ship of Lieutenant Watts; it was Vairaatoa that set them himself about the idol. If you think proper, you may burn them all in the fire; or, if you like, send them to your country, for the inspection of the people of Europe, that they may satisfy their curiosity, and know Tahiti's foolish gods!

This also is one thing that I want to inquire of you: when I go around Tahiti, it may be that the Ratiras and others will ask me to put down their names; what shall I do then? Will it be proper for me to write down their names? It is with you you are our teachers, and you are to direct us. We have had our prayer-meeting the beginning of this month, February; it was at Homai-au Vahi; the Ratiras and all the people of the district assembled, leaving their houses without people. They said "Write down our names." I answered, "It is agreed." Those names are in the enclosed paper, which I have sent for your inspection. Have I done wrong in this? Perhaps I have: let me, my friends, know the whole of your mind in respect of this matter.

to me,

May you, my friends, be saved by Jehovah the true God. I have written to Mahine for a house for the use of the missionaries; when they arrive, you will let Mahine know where the house is to be, and he will get the people to remove it there. Let it be at Uaeva, near you.

* Temeharo was one of the principal family gods of the royal family of Tahiti; but Oro was the principal national god, and to him alone human sacrifices were offered, at least in modern times. Temeharo is said to have a brother called Tia; these were famous men, deified after their death.

+ Lieutenant Watts visited Tahiti in the Lady Penrhyn, 1788.

This (say the Missionaries,) was in imitation of us; for during 1814 and 1815, after our monthly missionary prayer-meetings, we used to take down the names of such as renounced Hea. thenism and embraced Christianity in a public manner; but since the state of affairs is altered in the islands, and the profession of Christianity is become general, we have thought proper to dis continue the practice, as now not likely to answer the ends intended,

It is reported here, that there is a ship at Morea, and I was thinking it might be the ship with the missionaries; but it may be that it is only an idle report. However, should the missionaries arrive at Morea, write to me quickly, that I may know. Let me know also, what news there may be from Europe, and from Port Jackson. Perhaps King George may be dead, let me know. I shall not go around Tahiti before the month of March.

May you be saved, my friends, by Jehovah, and Jesus Christ the only Saviour by whom we sinners can be saved. POMARE, King of Tahiti, &c. &c.

Tahiti Motuta, Feb. 19. 1816.

DEPARTURE OF THE AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSIONARIES FOR BURMAH.

Letter from the Rev. D. Sharp, of Boston,

dated Dec. 17, 1817.

As it was expected that Messrs. James Colman and Edward Willard Wheelock, with their wives, would sail in a few days for India, a special prayer meeting was held on Tuesday evening, Nov. 11, in the second Baptist meeting-house in Boston, for the purpose of commending them to the guidance, protection, and blessing of heaven.

The weather was not pleasant, but a large assembly was convened. The services commenced at half-past six o'clock, and continued till half-past nine. Eight ministring brethren prayed: a few short addresses were intermingled, and hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung. It was a sweet and solemn season. A spirit of grace and supplication prevailed to an uncommon degree. Those who were mouth for the people to God, appeared to feel as Jacob did when he said, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me." If the friends of Christ who were present had uttered the language of their hearts, they would have exclaimed with one accord, "Lord, it is good for us to be here!" Though the meeting was protracted to an unusual length, it was evident that the congregation separated with feelings of regret.

On Lord's-day, Nov. 16, at ten o'clock, A. M. our dear missionary brethren, with their companions, embarked in the ship Independence, Capt. Bangs, for Calcutta; at which place they will embrace the first opportunity to obtain a passage for Rangoon.

The parting scene was truly affecting.

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It is supposed that more than 200 persons were assembled on the dock, to bid them a final adieu, and to give them their benediction. It was such a scene as was witnessed at Miletus. The parents, and brothers, and sisters, and, indeed, all who were present, wept; and many fell on their necks and kissed them; sorrowing, most of all, that they should see their faces no more. None discovered so much fortitude as the missionaries themselves. While their friends were all weeping around them, they manifested great firmness. When sister Wheelock stepped on the plank which connected the vessel with the wharf, she observed to a female friend, "I would not exchange situation with any of you." One incident occurred which was sufficient to have melted a heart of stone. When the vessel began to move, the father of Mr. Wheelock, with all the tender anguish of a parent, took off his son! let me see your face once more!" hat and exclaimed, "Willard! my dear

Willard came to the side of the vessel. The father gazed on his amiable son, then covered his head, and immediately forced his way through the crowd to his carriage. Just before the vessel left the wharf, Dr. Baldwin engaged in prayer, recommending the missionaries to God. and the word of his grace. A hymn was sung expressive of earnest desires, that He, who holds the winds in his fist, would conduct them in safety over the mighty deep.

It will, no doubt, be a source of gratification to many, to be informed, that the supercargo of the Independence is a pious man. Though a member of another denomination, yet he appears to love all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. This circumstance will greatly contribute to the comfort of our dear young friends. When the writer of this article gave the parting hand to one of the missionaries, his last words were, "Oh, do pray for us! dear Sir, do pray for us!" It is hoped, that all who take an interest in the Burman mission, will not only contribute of their substance for its support, but cause their prayers to ascend before God, that his presence may go with the missionaries, and that he may give them favour in the sight of the heathen.

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