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born in the country, if converted and called to the Ministry, may =be expected to become most effective instruments, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in the conversion of the natives, if during their education they have mixed much with the natives: hence also others born, and educated, and converted, in the country, are the very hopes of India; and if we are anxious to prepare instruments the most likely, when "full of the Holy Ghost," to be eminently blessed, it is to this part of the field that our especial care as cultivators must be directed.

= Further, it is an interesting fact, that to effect the conversion of sinners, the Holy Spirit most frequently uses certain particular doctrines of the Scriptures, and that in consequence it becomes the duty of the Christian preacher to dwell much upon these themes, and to open and explain them in the fullest manner. If we examine what these doctrines are, we shall find, that the divine Spirit acts, in this instance as in all others, as the "Spirit of wisdom," for these subjects are in their own nature most suited to awaken the attention and deeply to impress the minds of men." What can be more likely to affect the heart of an attentive hearer, than to call his attention to the holiness, and justice, and awful power, of the Almighty, at the same time bringing home to his conscience the doctrine of the total depravity of the heart, and, that which follows as a certain consequence, the entire sinfulness of the life? What can be a more probable means of stirring up the mind to seek God, than an exhibition of the moral impotency of man, and the certainty of his being lost without divine aid, and the free manifestation of sovereign mercy? Add to this, the doctrine of the cross, or the holding up of Christ, in his vicarious obedience, his doleful sufferings, his bitter death, his glorious resurrection, ascension, and effectual intercession at the right hand of God; his fulness of grace and truth; his promises to weary and heavy-laden sinners, and his ability to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him. These are the themes upon which the divine influence propitiously descends, agreeably to the declaration of the apostle of the heathen, "I

determined to know nothing among you but Christ the crucifi ed." The apostle had no doubt his reasons for this partiality, and for dwelling incessantly on this one subject: he says in another place, that it was because the preaching of the cross was the power of God unto salvation. It was this subject that first ar rested the attention of the wild Greenlanders, as was noticed in the last letter (p. 142). In an account of "Great Revivals of Religion in the Presbyterian churches in America," published in the year 1816, the truths which most affected their congregations are thus mentioned: "The general character of the work has been such as usually marks the work of the Holy Spirit. The persons converted have been deeply impressed with a sense of the infi nite majesty and holiness of God- of the spirituality, extent, and obligation of the divine law--the exceeding sinfulness of sin -the total depravity of the human heart-the necessity of rege neration by the Almighty power of the Holy Spirit--of justifica tion, not by works, but freely by the grace of God, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus-the indispensable necessity of interest in atoning blood, and of that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." He who wishes therefore that the influences of the Holy Spirit should render his labours effectual to conversion, will do well to make these heaven-selected themes, the principal subjects upon which he dwells in his discourses.

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But there is still another duty arising out of this question, and to this I am very anxious to call the particular attention of Chris tians in India, and all those in Europe and America who interest themselves in the conversion of the heathen of this country, and that is, the duty of united prayer. Union in prayer for the revi val of Religion in America was once strongly recommended by President Edwards, and, in consequence of the powerful recom mendation of this eminent divine, was heartily adopted,—the effects of it to this day are most wonderful. Congregations, towns, and even whole districts, under the instructions of the di vine word, have been seriously affected by the Great Truths of religion, and have manifested the greatest change of character.

In no country on earth have such wonderful reformations been witnessed, evidently proceeding from a divine power on the heart.

The peculiar difficulties connected with the work among the heathen in India, arising especially from the cast, and also from their contempt of Europeans, their indolence, and want of curiosity, plead powerfully the necessity of prayer, that ministers may be endowed with that spiritual power from on high, without which no real conversion can be effected. The remark of our Lord in the xviith of Matthew may shew us what is our duty in a case so truly difficult as that which is the subject of this letter: "This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

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The very existence of the present Mission and Bible Societies must be attributed to the spirit of prayer; and all the success they have, or ever will have, is to be alone hoped for through the prevalence of the same spirit: for this is the express condition on which the prosperity of Zion is founded, "For all these things will I be enquired of by the House of Israel, that I may do them for them." The divine wisdom, evident in thus uniting prayer and success in religious enterprizes, is so manifest to men of real piety; that it is needless to enlarge upon this part of the subject. then the different denominations of Christians in India "who know the worth of prayer,"* unite in this pressing duty. Divine influence when once bestowed, will not only overcome all opposition in the hearts and circumstances of the Hindoos and Musulmans, but will shew to those who say, as in a similar case, "What do these feeble Jews?"+ that, "blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord, and who maketh the God of Jacob his refuge." "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain, and he shall bring forth the head-stone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace grace unto it." And if it should please the Almighty, in answer to our prayers, to pour out these refreshing and transforming influences,

* Cowper. † Nehemiah iv. 2.

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Zechariah iv. 6, 7.

what a change will soon be produced! With what force and ardour will Missionaries then preach--with what attention and feeling will whole congregations of heathens then listen to the word! What eminent Christians, what persuasive preachers, what indefatigable itinerants will these converted Hindoos then become! Then shall come to pass the sayings that are written, "The wil. derness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose."* The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doth valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doth valiantly."+

III. Calcutta School Society.

At the request of an esteemed friend, we insert in our present Number the following statement relative to the origin, rules, and design of the Calcutta School Society lately formed, which we regard as a new and valuable coadjutor in promoting the wel fare of India. The statement is of itself so full, as to require neither introduction nor comment. We give it therefore in its own language.

"So early as 1814, the necessity of some Institution for the establishment and support of Schools on the most improved and efficient system had engaged the attention of different individuals, whose minds had been turned to the best means of promoting the moral and intellectual improvement of our Indian fellow-subjects.

On the formation of the Calcutta School Book-Society in 1817, it was then a question whether its designs might not conveniently be so extended as to comprize the objects of a School Society; but the general opinion was not in favour of this consolidation.

However, the importance of an Institution of the latter description continually becoming more apparent, after numerous private conferences on the subject, several Gentlemen, Members of the

Isaiah xxxv. 1. + Psalm cxviii. 15, 16.

Calcutta School-Book Society, held a Meeting on the 24th July, 1818, for the purpose of considering whether the objects of that Institution would not be further promoted, with additional and important public benefits, by the establishment of a School Society. Accordingly it was agreed to request some of the Gentlemen present, in concert with others whom they might desire to unite with them, to prepare the Plan of such an Association; and after making it known, to call a General Meeting of persons disposed to join in it, for the ultimate consideration and adoption of the Resolutions which might appear best calculated for carrying the design into execution. The plan was then prepared nearly the same as now adopted, and was printed and circulated, previous to a Meeting proposed to be held at the Town Hall, on Tuesday, the 1st day of September, when all persons disposed to promote the design were invited to assemble.

A General Meeting was accordingly held, very respectably attended both by the European and Native Inhabitants of Calcutta, and which proceeded to take into consideration the Institution of a School Society; when,

"J. H. Harington, Esq. having been requested to take the Chair on the motion of the Lord Chief Justice, and having stated the object of the Meeting, with the Rules suggested for the proposed Society, the following Rules and Resolutions were unanimously adopted.

Rules of the Calcutta School Society.

1. That an Association be formed, to be denominated "The Calcutta School Society."

2. That its design be to assist and improve existing Schools,. and to establish and support any further Schools and Seminaries which may be requisite; with a view to the more general diffusion of useful knowledge amongst the inhabitants of India of every description, especially within the Provinces subject to the Presidency of Fort William.

3.-That it be also an object of this Society to select pupils of

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