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and believe on the Lord Jesus, as your hope and Mediator before the throne of God. Lucy, you have been to me most kind. O live for eternity, and I hope and pray, God may fit both for his holy presence. Though I address this to my sisters, yet my brothers are on my mind. Tell them I love them and pray for them, and hope to meet them where no sin or sorrow shall enter. I hope this, be cause they have the revealed will of God in their hands, and every mean for gaining religious instruction. Of all my friends none are forgotten, but none remembered with so much affec. tion as my lovely children, they are with me sleeping or waking. But I am weary and must leave you. Our united respects to our dear parents. Tell all my sisters, they will hear from me as God may give me health. -With increased love, yours,"

"R. N."

In a letter to her parents, dated,Port Louis, Isle of France, June 26th, she writes. "Dear Parents,

"We arrived here the 8th of this month, after a passage of 105 days. No imminent danger lay in our way. My health was better than I dared to hope; it was so good as to enable me to pursue something almost all the time. There was quite a sameness in my life, as must necessarily be the case at sea. The little variations we had, interested me much. We saw some land, and spoke two or three vessels, one, a Spanish brig, bound to the African coast for slaves. Two officers from her came on board our ship-and, on the whole, it made one of the most novel scenes of my voy age. My fears for some time had been quite awake, not by understanding the movements of the then mys. terious brig, but by the concern man. ifested in the countenances of those that were more used to sea etiquette. Our visitors, however, soon relieved my mind, and altered the visage of others very materially. They politely offered us any thing they might have on board, of the ne.

Referring to the young ladies who had been under her care as pupils.

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cessaries or comforts of life. It made my heart bleed to think of the horrid traffic that led them to brave the dangers of the deep. They were bound, as I said, to Africa, for slaves. A could but say to myself-can you call yourselves Christians, and so widely depart from the precept and example of Christ? You can neither find it in the divine law or common sense. "Tis sordid interest guides you." In the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the oppressed than the oppressor. If there be those that can leave all that is dear in their native land; all that is dear in the love of parents, brothers and sisters, for the gain of gold, shall there not, among Christians, be found those that can make the same sacrifices to gain souls for Christ? My health never was better, and but rarely so good. We are now so situated as to have every thing comfortable. Our room is so large, and well furnished with windows, that ever enjoy the soft freshing air of this Isle. From the trial I have had here, and during my voyage, it appears my constitution is well adapted to a warm climate. I cannot tell you much of this place but what will make your hearts ache to hear. Slavery has been counte. nanced here by government, till the late capture of it by the English. Slaves can no longer be imported; but those that were in bondage at the time the Isle was taken, remain so, with this provision-they are to be clothed by their masters, or their masters are to pay a fine. These poor creatures are subjected to every hardship that beasts of burthen are in my own country. Yes every thing that I have been used to see performed by the brute creation, is here done by creatures made of the same materials as myself-bound to the same eternity-having the same common Parent-and who, to be made fit for heaven, must be washed in the same Savior's blood. The state of society is wretched. The form of religion is Roman Cathohardly to be found. lies have a place of worship, and some resort to it to buy a pardon for their sins and a privilege to commit more. It is the nature of depraved man to pervert every thing. The best things

are from that source, the most liable to it. My mind often dwells upon the changes that may have visited my native place in the last four months. They whom I now address, may be beyond receiving it. But Oh, may the day that calls you back to dust be remote, and come when it may, a day that you shall welcome, and through the mercies of God in Christ Jesus, crown you with eternal blessedness."

Extract from a letter written by Mr. Luther Rice, one of the American missionaries, to a friend in Boston. The date is at Calcutta, Sept. 5, 1812.

After stating several facts, which were contained in other letters, and published in our number for Jan. p. 374, Mr. R. observes:

"In regard to one particular,—that of endeavoring to fix a permanent footing somewhere, and concentrating our whole strength in one object, I have no hesitation. But in effectuat. ing this, if we succeed at all, a print. ing press will be highly important, not to say indispensable. To diffuse the Bible among a people without printing is impossible; and if we fix the mission, as it appears at present probable we shall, upon Madagascar, a press will be all important in a short time. We shall want it for our own assistance in advancing in the lan. guage, and to enable us to throw small portions of Scripture into the hands of the natives, as soon as we become able to translate."

"By the time a printer and press are in readiness, or can be got in readiness, for the mission, I hope we shall be able to say to what place they may be sent. Indeed our dis. tance from America is so great, and communication so uncertain, that I sometimes fear we may be long in want of a press, before it will be practicable for one to be conveyed to us."

come of us, the missionary cause is certainly a good cause, and must fi nally prevail; and all Christians are bound by infinite obligations to help it forward."

After speaking of the loss experi. enced by the Baptist missionaries, in the burning of their printing office, Mr. R. says, "But their printing goes on again."

Since the foregoing letters were in type, more recent intelligence has been received from India, by the Caravan, which left Calcutta about the 1st of October, and the Reaper, which sailed from the same port at the end of the same month. By these arrivals we learn, that all the missionaries, except Mr. Newell and his wife, remained at Calcutta so late as the 23d of October; that they were deliberating upon a missionary station, and obtaining all the infor mation on that subject in their pow. er; that they had experienced severe trials on account of the change of opinion professed by a part of their number with respect to the ordinance of baptism, Mr. Rice having also become a Baptist; that this change rendered a separation expedient, in their future operations, as it appear. ed to them all; that Messrs. Nott and Hall, and Mrs. Nott expected to sail soon for Ceylon, with a probability of fixing themselves at or near Bombay; and that their views of the importance of sending missions to the Heathen became more impres sive, in consequence of what they heard and saw. It is also stated, by one of the brethren, that the Rev. Dr. Brown, senior chaplain at Calcutta, departed this life a few months before the date of the letter; a cir.cumstance deeply to be regretted, as the influence of that good man would doubtless have been exerted, had he been living, in favor of the missionaries. It gives us great pleas ure to learn, however, that the Rev. Mr. Thomason of Calcutta, an Epis copalian clergyman, is earnestly en gaged in promoting the evangelical cause in India. The following extracts from letters need no expla

"I hope the missionary spirit continues to increase. Even should the present mission fail, Christians ought not to slacken their exertions, or abate their zeal. Whatever may be. nation.

Calcutta, July 31, 1812. Rev. and dear Sir,

I wrote you about a fortnight since by the American ship Francis,t and enclosed in one of my letters an extract from the second order of the Governor in Council, requiring our immediate return to America in the Caravan, or our departure to some place beyond the territories of the British and their allies. By the intercession of our friends, however, we have obtained permission to go to the Isle of France. The Government

have no right to say, that we shall not go to any place, which is not under the Company's jurisdiction. Ceylon, the Isle of France,and Bourbon belong to the Crown, and not to the Company; and the Company's government has no kind of connexion with these local governments." "Considering the present state of the Chinese and Birman empires, the only extensive fields of missions eastward of this country, the only places, indeed, in this part of the world, to which the Company's government will permit us to go, and being excluded from the whole of British India, our only alternative seems to be, either to return to America, or go to the Isle of France. The state of China and Birmah is such as forbids our attempting a mission to either of those countries for the present. There is. indeed, one missionary in each of those places, but their prospects are very unpromising, and their situations extremely dangerous. Mr. Morrison is allowed to reside only half the year in Canton. He is Chinese interpreter to the E. I Company. He goes up with the fleet, and, when the trading season is closed, returns to Macao, where he spends the remainder of the year. He is obliged to keep his object a profound secret. If it were known, he would no doubt be put to death, in the most cruel manner. He occu pies the only place where it is pos sible to attempt a mission to China. His office conceals his real object; but he can have no associate, because

The letters by the Francis have not ket come to hand.

there is no possibility of residing either in Macao, or Canton, without some office, such as Mr. Morrison fills.

"There are many circumstances which discourage a mission to Birmah. Without any inquiry respecting that country, there is this discour agement to meet in the outset. The London Society have tried that country, and given it up; the Baptist missionaries too have tried it, and all of them but one have quitted the field;-and this after they had resided several years in the country, had acquired the language, and expended thousands of dollarst on the object. We have no reason to think that we have more ability or perseverance, than some of the missionaries who have abandoned Birmah for other more promising fields. Brother Judson and I have concluded, that it is not expedient to make trial of Birmah in the face of these discour agements, and many more, which time will not allow me particularly to mention. In view of these cir. cumstances I have made up my mind to embrace an opportunity which now offers of going directly to the Isle of France, not so much with the view of settling on that island, as of getting out of the Company's jurisdiction, so that I can be at liberty to go from thence to any place where Providence may open the door for missionary work. Brother Judson would do the same; but the vessel in which I go cannot accommodate us both."

"My things are on board, and I and Mrs. Newell go on board this evening. We pay six hundred rupees (three hundred dollars) for our passage, and expect to be out two months.

"The Harmony is every day expected. The brethren wrote us twice from the Isle of France. The Governor is favorable to missions, wishes a mission to be sent to Madagascar, and has even made applica. tion to the London Society for the purpose.

"Brother Judson thinks, that he

† Another letter says 25,000 rupees.

shall embrace the next opportunity of getting to the Isle of France. The other brethren will probably be obliged to take the same course, on their arrival here. They may possibly get leave to go hence to Ceylon. If they can, they will probably do it, as that island affords a very favorable opening for missionary exertions, and they have already begun to turn their attention to that place. Whether I shall continue on the Isle of France, or go from thence to Ceylon, or attempt a mission to Madagascar, must be determined by circumstances with which I am at present unacquainted. I shall endeavor to follow the leadings of Providence I shall embrace every opportunity of informing you respecting my situation and prospects. have received 710 rupees through the hands of the Kev. Mr. Thomason, whom I mentioned to you in my last. This money, which was intended for brother Judson and myself, we have divided equally between us."

We

"I have taken a letter of credit from Dr. Carey to a house in the Isle of France, lest my resources should fail before I can receive any supplies from America. I shall certainly use all possible economy, and endeavor, as soon as possible, to find some way of contributing to my own support.

"The discouragements we have met with have not yet caused me to repent of my undertaking. On the contrary, I feel more and more attached to the work. My wife enjoys excellent health, and good spirits."

"We go hence in a greater hurry than we left America. We had but three days notice of the opportunity. This circumstance must apologize for the shortness and other defects of my letter, and for neglecting altogether to write to several others, to whom I made promises—

Rev. and dear Sir, I remain, &c.
SAMUEL NEWELL.

Rev. Dr. Worcester,

Cor. Sec.

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France, and not oblige us to go back to America. That petition they granted. Accordingly we have engaged our passage, and expect to sail in a few days. As to the field of our fa. ture labors, we are now entirely undecided. We have already mention. ed our views of Madagascar. Our subsequent researches into the state of that island do not enable us to add to our former remarks any thing material,

"Recently some faint hope has been excited in our minds respecting Bombay. It rests principally on this -the present Governor of that Presidency, Sir Evan Nepean, is said to be a pious man; and therefore would probably throw no more obstacles in the way of Missionaries, than his offi. cial duties should oblige him to do.

"Could we once get into Bombay, we are almost inclined to hope, that they would not force us from the country. We are, at the same time, inquiring into the state of Java, his majesty's colony, and by appointment the residence of the Governor Gen. eral of all his majesty's possessions to the cast of the Cape of Good Hope. Gen. Maitland, [the present commander in chief] when Governor of Ceylon, showed the missionaries particular favor. We regret that we cannot write more definitely; but, in our present undecided state, we feel a reluctance in attempting to write

"Brother Judson and his wife have changed their sentiments on the subject of baptism. They were baptized in Calcutta, on the first Sabbath in this month. In consequence of this trying event, it has appeared to him and to us, and to those with whom we have conversed upon the subject, expedient that we should separate, and labor in different fields.

"As to our pecuniary concerns,though God has provided Christian friends, who have generously taken us in, yet a variety of unavoidable charges makes our expenses very considerable. But of these we shall remit a more particular account. It has pleased God more or less to afflict us all with the fever of the country: but through his wonderful mercy and forbearance we are happily recover

ed, except brother Rice, who yester. day had a relapse. We shall be obliged to pay our physicians not less than 150 rupees For our passage to the Isle of France we pay 1600 rupees. While at the Isle of France our expenses must be great; for living is far dearer there than we are accustomed to think of in America. A voyage from that place must be very dear; as ship provisions in that island are so very expensive. We feel it to be our indispensable duty to adopt and pursue the most rigid economy. We hope we shall be eną. bled to do it, so far as to satisfy our employers, our consciences, and our Judge."

"We close, dear Sir, praying that grace, mercy, and peace, may be multiplied to the Board of Commissioners, and to all the friends of GORDON HALL, LUTHER RICE, SAMUEL NOTT."

Zion.

Rev. Dr. Worcester,
Secretary.

"Calcutta, Oct. 23d, 1812.
"Rev and dear Sir,

We have delayed writing you to so late an hour on account of some particular circumstances which ren. dered it desirable to delay, that we have now time to say but little. We have been detained here much longer than we anticipated when we wrote last, the vessel in which we were going to the Isle of France not having yet gone. We shall not, however, go in her at all, having conceived a dif ferent design.

"Our later letters have given you reason to believe, that Madagascar did not hold the same place in our views, as when we first arrived.

Not because we deem it of less im. portance, but because increasing information led us to think other places less inaccessible. During the time of our stay here, we have been mak. ing all the inquiries which we could to enable us to form that decision which would meet the approbation of God, the Board, and our Christian friends. We mentioned, some time since, some hopes of Bombay and Surat. Our further inquiries and re

VOL. V. New Series.

flections on these and other places,

have led us to determine to make an attempt at Bombay, as a first step, unless something should appear to render it unwise.'

"The places which now seem to us next in order to Bombay, are Java, Prince of Wales's Island, and Malacca. Though we have thought it most likely that we should go to Bombay, for some weeks, it is but a little while since we have given up the idea of going to the Isle of France. But finding that Govern. ment will allow us to go to Ceylon, we have chosen to go thither, as that route will cost less time, expense, and trouble, There are no vessels, however, going to that island as yet; and we may still be detained some weeks in Calcutta. We hope that God will continue to shed light on our path, and that he will bless the attempt we expect to make. Pray for us, dear Sir, for a divine blessing upon us, that we may be enabled to guide our affairs with discretion, and be made eminently useful in the church of God. Before we write you again we hope to have gone forth to attempt something for his honorsomething for the Heathen who are perishing for lack of knowledge.

"You will be surprised to receive a letter written from us alone; and we are surprised, and distressed, that it is so. Brother Rice has been led to change his sentiments on the subject of baptism; and brother Jud. son and himself will probably attempt a mission to Java. What the Lord means by thus dividing us in sentiments, and separating us from each other, we cannot tell. This we know; the Lord seeth not as man seeth; and it ill becomes us to be dissatisfied with what he does. We hope, and pray, that these unexpected things may not damp the missionary spirit which has been kindled; but that it may burn with a brighter and purer flame. We know nothing yet of Brother Newell, but hope he has ar rived at the Isle of France. You will hear from us again by the Har mony, if we live; and, should we have acted then, we shall give you a full detail of the ground of our decision.

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