Page images
PDF
EPUB

granted to the Rev. Mr. Newman of Kilbrogan, near Bandon in Ireland, for the use of Scriptural Schools in that neighbourhood. Five Thousand Bibles have been there distributed within a few years. Mr. Newman is one of the strenuous advocates for instruction in the vernacular Irish; but we believe he as well as most other Irish clergymen find the Scriptures and Liturgy in the English tongue are far more generally acceptable. Ireland however presents

a wide field for the labours of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, and we doubt not that many zealous Irish clergymen will after Mr. Newman's example, apply for grants of Bibles, Testaments, Prayer Books, and Psalters, both in the English and Irish languages.

Numerous grants were voted, and several legacies reported, one from the late R. M. Blick, Esq. of Portland Place, to the amount of £2000.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

SOME recent publications of this society show the dangers and difficulties to which their missionaries and converts are exposed, and may well quicken us in prayer on their behalf.

6

The following is a melancholy proof that some of the people of Kishnaghur rather choose the blackest crimes in preference to Christianity. In the course of last month, several people were awakened by the preaching of the Word. Two of them, Greis and Nursinga, made an open profession-they belong to the band of musicians, and also manufacture mats. Greis declared to his neighbours his intention of embracing Christianity, before he mentioned it to our Christians; consequently, the noise began before we knew any thing of it, or we should have told him to keep quiet till he should know more of our doctrine. His neighbours being very much enraged against him, he wished to leave them, and stay among our native Christians; but I was afraid to receive him so soon: for if they give up their caste, they are in some measure obliged to become Christians, whether they be sincere or not so I advised him to go again to his home, and to continue his trade quietly, and come at leisure hours for instruction. This he did; but his mother-in-law, when she saw that he was not to be persuaded otherwise, gave him some drug in his meals; and a neighbour, Omnesh Baity, locked him up in his house. We soon got the news, that poor Greis was dumb, and confined; the people considering it as an omen of vengeance from the gods. A native doctor was sent for, to see the poor man; and the vicious neigh

bour then gave him freedom, fearing that he might be charged with murder. This Omnesh, who acted thus, would not have had SO much courage, had not another of their neighbours, who is now high in the government service, been at the bottom of the whole. Greis was then brought to the medical gentleman of the station, who cured him. It is supposed that it was a vegetable poison. It was the fourth day when he was brought to the doetor, and at that time he could not move his tongue; but two days after he had taken the medicine, the contraction in his stomach ceased, and his tongue was loosed. Greis and his neighbour Nursinga, resolved to leave so bad a neighbourhood, and came among the Christians; but Omnesh Baity locked up both their wives; and they being young women, the husbands were much concerned to see them in such bad hands, and consequently made a complaint to the Daroga. When they were told to swear by water from the Ganges, they refused to do so; and plainly told him, that they no longer believed that water, mud, or stone, was God. The Daroga, being a Brahmin, said, If I were not a servant of government, I would teach you better reason your heads deserve to be cut off, for blaspheming the gods.' After some days, the women got their liberty. Greis removed to a separate house with his wife, and she liked being with him; but five days after, the same Omnesh locked her up in his house, as before. None of the Christians, nor her husband, could venture to go near the house. Narsinga became frightened, and returned, being unable to deny his young wife; but Greis remained

6

stedfast, and his wife was kept by Omnesh till his law-suit came into court; and in the mean time he could not see her, or even speak a word to her, and the neighbours persuaded her to give him up. The husband had presented a petition, praying that his wife might be set at liberty; and the neighbours made her bring a petition, not to be given up to her husband. There were present from 800 to 1000 people, to see the issue of the case. When the couple met each other in the court, she said that she would no longer stay with her husband. At such a crisis, what else could be done, than to dismiss both: thus the lawfully married pair were separated. The sorrowful husband has nothing better to expect than to see his wife turned into the houses of ill fame; for the young woman has now nobody left but an aged mother, who cannot maintain herself.

The joy of the orthodox Hindoos on this occasion was very great; but it presents a sad picture of their moral feelings: they succeeded in preventing a person from embracing Christianity, at the expense of morality. I am sorry to add, that these considerations seemed to trouble their consciences but little; for, on the following day, to complete their mirth, they brought, with music and great joy, a thank-offering to their Goddess Kalee for their success: and no wonder! for the goddess, such as she is, or as the Hindoos suppose her to be, is not very nice in point of morals.'

'I gave away 150 Tracts, and addressed them from John iii., on Rcgeneration. A very daring Brahmin challenged an argument. After hearing my address, he began to compare Hindooism with Christianity. He was full of matter, and his arguments were extraordinary: he was a bold, straightforward materialist. 'We know,' he said, 'what we worship; for we can see, and feel, and taste, it: with you it is the contrary. I see the sun; I feel its effect: I taste rice: I quench my thirst with water: therefore the things from which I derive life and happiness, I adore as God.' This man preferred worshipping the crea

ture instead of the Creator, and to believe a lie rather than the truth. Still, I have often seen that people of this kind talk against their inward better convictions, which tell them that matter cannot be God.

'Jan.31: Lord's Day—Assembled, with my coolies, for prayer. Shundor read a chapter, and I expounded and prayed, in the cabin. A villager of the writer caste, and a shopkeeper, were present, and listened. When I began to pray, the writer rose and left the place, for what reason I could not comprehend; but he appeared to be quite astonished on hearing me call on the name of the Lord. Afterward, we went to Brahmunpore, and took a position before an idol temple consecrated to Siva. Wonderful things were told of the powers of the stone. It had grown out of the ground, and numbers of sick people were cured after paying their devotions to it. A man cautioned me not to put my foot on the floor of the temple. I said, 'Why!' 'Because,' he said, 'the very touch of a heretic would so contaminate his majesty, that all the divine qualities would evaporate from the stone.' I replied,This is rather surprising if he be a God, how can he lose his virtue by my touch?" 'True,' they said, that looks rather suspicious; but so we are taught to believe; and one chief doctrine in our religion is, that if we firmly believe in our minds that God is in this stone, or in this tree, it will be according to our faith.' I continued: "Your bowing down to this stone will do you no good, either in your bodies or your souls. You are sinners; you want a change of heart, pardon, and eternal life. All these substantial blessings are found only in one Name: Jesus Christ can deliver you from guilt, the power of sin, and from eternal condemnation. I entreat you to return from the error of your ways, and listen to the gra cious message of the Gospel.'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

O! when shall the time come when the idols shall be cast to the moles and the bats, and when all the ends of the earth shall remember themselves, and be turned to the Lord!

Register of Events.

THE rebellion in Canada appears for the present entirely suppressed. A band of rebels, assisted by some adventurers from the United States, took possession of a small island in the river St. Lawrence, called Navy Island, where they threw up entrenchments, and made use of very confident language; but on finding that they were within range of the British batteries, and that the government of the United States had too much integrity to support their iniquitous proceedings, they withdrew from the island, returned the arms they had carried off, and dispersed.

Considerable excitement was occasioned amongst the Americans on the frontier, by a party of Canadians attacking, capturing, and destroying the Caroline steamer, which was confidently stated to be American property, and at the time of the capture, within an American harbour. It appears. however, that this vessel was in the service of the rebels on Navy Island, and had been employed on the preceding day in supplying them with arms, ammunition, and recruits, and that at the time of the capture, it was moored in the stream, and not in an American port. The charges of unnecessary cruelty have also been satisfactorily repelled; the American citizens on board the vessel were landed, and all the crew taken out before the steamer was set on fire, and sent over the Falls of Niagara. There is reason to conclude that these explanations are satisfactory, and that the American government will not interfere.

While we rejoice, and return thanks to Almighty God, that the Canadian Insurrection is thus suppressed; it becomes us also to remember, that unless wise and prudent means are promptly adopted, the danger will assuredly recur. It is therefore our duty earnestly to pray that Almighty God may direct and over-rule the minds of our Sovereign, her Counsellors, and Senators, to the adoption of such measures as may most effectually promote his glory, and the welfare of these realms. It is doubtless of importance that considerable additions should be made to the numbers of British colonists: and it appears therefore adviseable, that encouragement should be given to married soldiers to settle in suitable situations, and that half-pay officers, whether Naval or Military, together with veteran soldiers, marines, and sailors, should be located in different parts of the country, retaining their half pay, and be rewarded with grants of land, and such assistance and encouragement in the cultivation of those grants, as circumstances may require. There is abundance of free unappropriated land in Canada, and it cannot be better employed than in rewarding those who have hazarded their lives in their country's service.

But no plan will long preserve peace and tranquillity in our Canadian or other colonial possessions, which does not provide for the moral and religious instruction of the colonists. The neglect of such a provision has been, and is, onr sin, our shame, and our folly. Provision ought to be made for churches, schools, ministers, and teachers. The expence would be trifling. The annual cost of a single regiment would provide religious and moral instruction for a province; and that instruction would, under the divine blessing, permanently promote the peace, good order, and industry of the inhabitants. We earnestly hope that this important subject will not be overlooked, but that our religious nobles and senators may be induced to urge it powerfully on the attention of government.

The parliamentary debates have not been of any very interesting character. Her Majesty's ministers have brought forward a bill for the introduction of Poor Laws into Ireland, providing for the erection of workhouses in different districts, and placing their control in the hands of the English Poor Law Commissioners. This bill is denounced by M. O'Connell, and may therefore be regarded as unfavourable to that system of agitation which it is his interest to perpetuate, It will at least tend to relieve some of the existing destitution in Ireland, though it may not provide so extensive a remedy as the philanthropist may desire.

It appears that Government have declined granting a charter of Incorporation to the New Zealand Colonial Association. The projectors of the

Association are now it is understood about to apply to Parliament for a private Bill. We trust however that the able pamphlets of Mr. Coates, and Mr. Becham, will prevent the plan being carried into effect. With millions of acres of unoccupied land in our already recognized possessions of New South Wales, South Africa, Canada, &c. there is no reason whatever why we should attempt to apportion out the lands of New Zealand. It is indeed to us a subject of no small surprise that a plan of colonization should be attempted with reference to those islands. The New Zealanders are not a people to be trifled with. They are brave, warlike, determined men. They have been trafficking for years with South-Sea whalers, and others, for fire arms, ammunition, &c. They have already in some instances reclaimed lands which in the days of their ignorance they had sold for a trifle, and therefore in a pecuniary point of view the plan of colonization is a hazardous, an almost desperate speculation. The days are long since past when a thousand acres of land could be purchased in New Zealand for an axe, or ten thousand for a musket. These days are past; and we rejoice that such is the case. For however speciously the projectors of the plan may speak on the subjects of civilizing and evangelizing the New Zealanders, it is most obvious that their scheme would most powerfully tend to cheek the progress of civilization, and to counteract the painful and expensive labours in which different Missionary Societies have for the last twenty years been engaged.

The Rev. Mr. Tucker has recently written over from Madras strongly urging the establishment of a Ladies Boarding School for native females in that city. Few plans would be found more effectual in promoting the progress of Christianity among the Hindoos; and there is every reason to conclude that after the first outlay, an institution of this nature would support itself. Two ladies would be necessary to undertake different departments, and we cannot but hope that some may be induced to go forth to this arduous and important field.

An old and valuable correspondent from Ireland writes to us as follows:Recent measures have not improved the state of Ireland. Popery and Radicalism are fostered; Protestantism-sound consistent Protestantism is held forth as bigotry. Our church, or rather the cause of God in her, prospers more and more. The pressure from without seems but to show internal strength and vitality. We are not cast down, but live in hope of brighter days-remembering that our living head, Christ, is the guardian of his church, and will, as necessity arises, help and defend every member of it. May the blessing of Jehovah rest upon you and your labours.'

The Bishopric of Sodor and Man is vacant by the death of the Right Reverend Dr. Ward. It has been proposed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to unite this See with that of Carlisle; but petitions against this practical suppression have been presented to Parliament from both Universities and from other influential quarters.

The Commissioners of National Education in Ireland state, that they had last March, 1300 schools in operation; 255 of which are in the province of Munster, and contain 23,321 boys, and 16,673 girls. They propose to allow the scriptures to be read during school bours; but the Freeman's Journal of Feb. 13, contains a letter purporting to proceed from Dr. M'Hale, the Titular Archbishop of Tuam, declaring that to no authority on earth, save the Pope, shall I submit the books from which the children in my diocese shall derive their religious instruction. Dr. M'Hale also objects to the disproportionable numbers of Catholic and Protestant Commissioners; to the lectures given in training the masters; to the number, qualifications aud duties of the inspectors; to the want in the Board of a fair representation of the different localities of Ireland. Truly they have no easy task who attempt to devise a plan of education which shall secure the approbation of Popish priests!

The Rev. Joseph Wolff, after visiting America, being ordained by Bishop Doane as presbyter of the American church, and preaching in different pulpits in the United States, has returned to this country in

feeble health. The New York Observer contains a letter of his dated Dec. 25, 1837, in which he states that he has proclaimed from several pulpits, the visible and personal appearance and reign of Jesus Christ upon earth, the restoration of the Jews to their own land, the first resurrection, and the renovation of the earth, which shall be the eternal abode of Jesus Christ the second Adam, the Lord from heaven. In order that the clergy of America may understand his views, he says, I leave behind these general rem arks

1. There is a habitable earth to come.

2. This earth shall be subject to Christ.

3. He shall come personally to sit upon the throne of his Father David at Jerusalem, when all enemies will be made impotent.

4. The resurrection of Christ's mystical body.

5. The subjection extends from the highest powers and principalities, down to oxen and sheep. Psalm viii.

6. He will come to be a Mediator, and giving up the kingdom of Providence to God the Father, take to himself the usurped political kingdom of the world-he shall sit upon the throne of David for ever.

7. The prophet Elijah shall make his appearance before Christ's coming -for John the Baptist came only in the power and Spirit of Elijah.

Mr. Wolff then goes on to urge these points on the serious attention of the Americans, and intimates that considering slightly the words of the Holy Ghost, is a sin against the Holy Ghost.

Alas, poor Wolff! Is this to preach Christ Jesus and him crueified? Repentance, Remission of sins, Renewal by the Holy Ghost, seem all lost sight of, while the future Jewish ascendancy is promulgated. We believe the discussion of these points has an immediate tendency to draw off the attention of men from the Gospel of Christ; to substitute vain speculation in the room of living faith; and to impede exceedingly the conversion of the Jews to the faith of Christ. How different is the account given by Mr. Wolff of his preaching, from the Scriptural account of St. Paul's preaching, and that of the other Apostles, when addressing either Jews or Gentiles as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.

Notices and Acknowledgments.

Received-C.-M. N.-R. D.-CLEMENS.-J. M.

We have received several communications on the New Poor Laws, some of which are written with considerable acerbity; but we are not sure whether it is adviseable to protract the controversy, since good and wise men entertain very contradictory opinions upon the subject.

« EelmineJätka »