instruct them; many of the people of all ranks, are assiduously employed in learning to read, and in acquiring a knowledge of the arts and manufactures of civilized life; and the usages of such a life are

becoming fashionable. Publick

worship is well attended; the Sabbath, in many parts of the islands, is regarded; and there is every reason to hope-and by this hope the missionaries are greatly animated -that the period may not be far distant, when in these islands, there will be a renewal of those scenes, so cheering to every Christian mind, which have recently been witnessed at Otaheite, and in almost the whole group of the Society Islands. We perceive that it is stated in a letter from Mr. Whitney, of the 24th of June, (exactly three months later than ours from Mr. Stewart,) published in the Missionary Herald of the last month, that "with the exception of Mrs. Stewart, all the members of the mission were in comfortable health three weeks ago. It was then feared, that she was in

danger of a decline." This information will doubtless create anxiety in behalf of the very interesting individual to whom it relates, among her numerous and attached friends in this country. In our letter, Mr. Stewart says-" As to domestick news, we are all comfortable; though Mrs. Stewart does not regain her strength as rapidly in this, as in her former confinement. The mother and daughter, however, both promise to do well." As Mr. Whitney wrote from information, and the period to which he refers is

but little more than two and a half months later than the date of Mr. Stewart's letter, and the "danger of a decline" is spoken of, only as what was "feared," we cannot but hope that her indisposition is not such as to threaten her valuable life; and that it will be removed by the short voyage, which it appears she was about to take for that purpose.

THE STATE OF THE JEWS.

It appears from « Jowett's researches in Syria and the Holy Land," a most interesting work recently published; from the statements contained in "The Jewish

Expositor and Friend of Israel," a monthly miscellany published in London; from the communications of that wonderful Jewish missionary Wolf; from the letters and journals of the American missionaries in Palestine; and from " Israel's Advocate," published in this country, by "The American Society for meliorating the condition of the Jews"-from the concurrent testimony of all these varied sources of information, which we mention because they are so various, it appears that there is a great and unusually excited attention of the Jews throughout the world, in regard to the subject of the Messiah's advent; and that, in various places, there is a disposition, perhaps never witnessed before since the apostolick age, to hear the representations of Christians in behalf of our

not

Divine Saviour, and to listen to the evidence that he is the true and only Messiah. The conversions of Jews to the Christian faith, within a few years past, although numerous, when compared with the whole number of that extraordinary people, yet are, we believe, considerably greater in amount, than they ever were, in the same period, since the first century of the Christian era-We, of course, speak here of voluntary and we hope sincere conversions; for the compulsory measures used by the Papists, to make Jews appear to be Christians, when the whole effect was to make them hate Christianity the more, cannot be thought of without grief and regret. In addition to all, there is an increasing interest taken by Christians generally, in behalf of the Jews, and a disposition to show them kindness, which has not been witnessed before for more than se

venteen successive centuries--producing missions to the Jews, societies for their relief and their conversion, inquiries into their state in all countries, and various other measures to enlighten them, and to win them to the faith of the gospel. Putting all these circumstances together, we think that among the signs of the times, which indicate the approximation of the millennial age, the state of the Jews may be reckoned one, without any just charge of extravagance or enthusiasm. And we have made this short statement, for the benefit of those who do not, and cannot, read the voluminous productions on this subject, which are now given to the publick.

RUSSIA.

Having frequently of late mentioned the unhappy change, which has taken place in this extended empire, unfavourable to the diffusion of the Sacred Scriptures, and the prosecution of evangelical missions, it has occurred, that it might be desirable to our readers to see, on this topick, something more in detail. We therefore subjoin the following extract from the London Evangelical Magazine, for November last.

Anti-biblical Revolution in Russia. "This Institution, which for several years pursued so distinguished a career, and promised to supply with the Word of Life, not only the Russian population, but the numerous heathen and Mahomedan tribes of that wide extended empire, is now completely paralyzed in its exertions, and appears to be dying a lingering death. In consequence of the powerful opposition which was raised to the Bible Society, Prince Galitzin, its Noble President, retired from that office; he, at the same time, resigned his situation of Minister of Religion, and a Russian Admiral was appointed in his place. Its no less excellent Secretary, Mr. Papoff, who visited this country about two years ago, and who was connected with the censorship of the press, was afterward put on his trial by the Criminal Court, respecting a book which had been publishing by Pastor Gossner, in which there were some reflections which were considered

as unfavourable to the doctrine of the Greek Church relative to the Virgin Mary. Several others were also involved in the same prosecution, two of them pious men. Pastor Gossner himself, who, though a Catholick, is said to be a most eloquént, evangelical, and useful preacher, had, previous to this, been ordered away from Petersburg on a few days' notice. The powers of darkness, in short, appear to be mustering their forces in the Russian empire; the measures pursued seem to be a part of that general system for arresting the progress of light, and for involving the nations in all the darkness of the middle ages, which has of late years constituted the distinguishing characteristick of the policy of most of the continental princes.

"Among the fruits of the revolution, in regard to the Bible Society in Russia, it may be mentioned, that though it was at one time intended that the Missionaries at Astrachan should be employed in printing a new and corrected edition of Martyn's Persian New Testament, and though the types had been ordered, and had arrived in Petersburg, it has been since resolved not to proceed with the printing of it. The Missionaries were likewise informed, that the Tartar-Turkish Version of the Old Testament, preparing by Mr. Dickson, would have to be submitted to the Archbishops of Astrachan, Kazan, and Ecaterinoslave; so that the publication, in Russia, of the Old Testament in that language, even if the Version were completed, may be considered as very problematical. In the present state of affairs, it was not even deemed safe to print Tracts, without first submitting them to the censorship: for though their having done so formerly was winked at, it was not supposed it would be tolerated now; and the punishment, for a breach of the law on this head, would be not only the suppression of the work, but a severe fine, if not even banishment.'-From the Missionary Register.

"The Scottish Missionaries have at length been compelled, through the unhappy change which has recently taken place in the Russian Councils, to abandon every station in that empire, except Ka

any man, calling himself a Christian, would ever disgrace his paper, in the manner done by the publication of the advertisement here given

INDIA.

ADVERTISEMENT EXTRAORDINARY.

To the Editor.

SIR,-The following is a verbatim copy of an advertisement, which, I am credibly informed, is to be found in a newspaper entitled The India John Bull, published at Calcutta, for the edification of many millions of idolaters, who are subject to F. the Crown of Great Britain.

"I, Achin, Chinaman, native of Pekin, return his thank to de religious and most worships in Bengal, since his first begin business. He now have to acquaint de worshippers of idols, that his son, Aloo Achen, have arrived, after his study of sculpture in Italy and London. He have brought wid him many blocks of that beautiful stellated granite, from Kelkenny; he have also brought out a Mr. Bacon's Pentagraph, by which we am now able to reduce to de smallest size any favourite idol, for domestick worship and in portable compass (exactly resembling de original,) for religious travellers by sea or land. We have one blocks of dis imperishable marble weighing three tons, beautifully variegated; dis I proposes as de basis of a durable idol, to supersede de perishable wooden figure of Juggernauth; I with my son, have nearly completed de idol; we have left one opening behind in de body, to contain de dust of the first inventor, and de bones of de carver in wood; we have, at de lower extremity of de body, leaved room to introduce (from two oval reservoirs of mercury) tubes up to de corner of each eye, close to de nose, close filled wid water; de mercury below, pressed by de warm hands of de priest, will cause de idol to shed tears at any time, or on any festival, like Peter de Great's Vargin on Good Friday. We have left a cavity in de mouth, between de teeth for phosphorous light; also, in each eye of de idol, to illuminate de enamel and glass pupils in front. We makes figures of any incarnations: bulls for Egyptian worship, of de same beautiful Irish marble; boars, tortoises, hawks, sphinx, lions. Any pious person inclined to employ me and son, will, by sending a plan or likeness of de favourite deity, be certain of having it exactly executed according to order. Should de wood, cark, or clay of any favourite family idol be rapidly in decay, we engage to restore de

Her

Since we last wrote and informed you of the death of our lamented brother Nichols, all the adult members of our mission have been spared without any severe or lasting sickness. But the list of our deceased children has received still another name. On the 3d inst. the child of Mr. Garrett, named Mary Hardy, experienced the general doom of fallen man. complaint was attended with some symptoms of the hydrocephalus, though the disease was not distinctly marked. Mrs. Nichol's child is now quite ill. When the Lord will cease smiting us, and replenish our desolation with spiritual sons and daughters, we know not; but we even hope and look for the time.

The young man who had proposed himself for admission into our church, is still a candidate. Without giving so satisfactory evidence of piety that we are decided to receive him, he still gives us some reason to hope.

He is now at Joonnur, in the interior, where, in consequence of a special request, presented here in person by seve ral respectable citizens and officers of the town, we have established a school. In this school are upwards of one hundred and fifty boys.

As to the schools previously established, we trust our report, which was called for by the liberal assistance, we had here received, will prove sufficiently particular to satisfy each of the benevolent societies, which assist in this department of our labours; and will also save us the time and expense of a letter to each.

Since we last wrote, we have published no new tracts; but have commenced a new edition (10,000 copies) of the scripture history, and are about commencing one of the English and Mahratta books intended for sale, with a view to the promotion of morality and Christianity. We are about to print, likewise, a new edition of the Ten Commandments, with other select passages of the Scriptures. The printing of the New Testament in order

is advanced to Philippians. The short epistles were printed previously.

We think the principles and objects of Peace Societies so important, and so Christian, that you will not disapprove of our connexion with them. In reply to our application to the London Society for assistance in the publication of tracts, we have received several copies of their publications, and a proposal of assistance on the formation of a Tract Society here. And we trust, that such an one will be formed, among the friends of Christ in this Presidency, in which society our brethren in the neighbouring missions and ourselves shall unite.-We are also about to propose to them an annual missionary association, for mutual assistance and strength, in promoting the kingdom of the blessed Redeemer.

We were not long since visited by the converted Jew, Michael Sargon, employed as a teacher of a Hebrew school at Cochin, by the Madras Auxiliary Jews' Society. He came to make inquiries respecting the Jews in this region; and, not long after, we received a communication from Dr. Bannister, of Madras, inquiring as to the expediency of the Madras Society establishing Jewish schools here; and whether, in case they should, we would occasionally instruct them. We returned, in answer, our good wishes towards the object of the Society; and remarked, that probably not more than one small school for teaching Hebrew could be established in the vicinity; and that, even in this, a capacity to read and write Mahratta, their vernacular and almost only language, should be made a prerequisite to the admission of any children; lest, perhaps, they should be drawn away, and kept from our Mahratta schools; and thus, in reality, be kept from any adequate acquaintance with the Scriptures. If they adopted such a prerequisite, we should be happy to assist them, as far as our other occupations would permit; but we observed, that we had not fully decided, as to the most expedient way of appropriating our own Jewish funds; that we have long thought it desirable to establish a school for instructing in Hebrew and Mahratta; and though we had no teacher well qualified, we were endeavouring to provide one by giving instruction to several Jewish boys. As the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures are the principal source of religious knowledge, it was previously, and still is, our wish to have a school, in which both these languages might be particularly taught. We have therefore commenced the instruction of one Mahratta (a Bramin's son) and one Catholick boy in Greek.

We would hope that several missiona-
VOL. IV. Ch. Adv.

ries, with those who previously proposed to come to our assistance, are on their way to join us; and also that assistance from on high may soon be vouchsafed us, and be more conspicuous for the encouragement of ourselves and our supporters, and for the salvation of infinitely precious souls.

Yours, in the hope and patience of the blessed Gospel.

G. HALL,

A. GRAVES,
E. FROST,
J. GARRETT.

P. S. Since commencing the above, Mr. and Mrs. Frost, have both been quite ill; Mr. F. with a fever. Through Divine goodness, Mr. F. is considerably better; but Mrs. F. continues sick.

The extremely favourable opportunity for a passage to America, with the afflic tions which the mission has experienced in the loss of children, and the obvious and dangerous effects of this climate, on Mr. and Mrs. Hall's two children, so that the life, especially of the eldest, has been despaired of, and there is but slight if any ground to hope they would not ere long fall a prey to the climate of this country; these considerations have induced us all to concur in the expediency of Mrs. Hall's accompanying her children to America. As we are solemnly bound to the preser vation of life, and as the mission has suffered so much already, and the trial, in the present measure, rests most heavily on the parents, we think we may expect not only the sympathies and prayers, but the assistance of our fellow Christians.Missionary Herald for December.

--

INTERESTING FROM LIBERIA.

We have been politely favoured with the following letters from the Rev. Lott Cary, missionary at Monrovia, to his friend in this city. Mr. Cary has, for a long time, acted in the treble capacity of Physician, Minister of Religion, and Teacher of the school, in all which his industry and zeal are very conspicuous and highly praiseworthy. It is to be hoped that the Board may soon devise means to relieve him from the practice of medicine, that he may have more time to devote to missionary purposes, for which he seems eminently qualified.

Had he leisure for this object, and a little more assistance from the African Missionary Board, he would no doubt soon be instrumental in establishing a large school at Grand Cape Mount. Such an establishment would more strongly identify the interests of the natives with those

F

of the colony, and secure their co-operation in the benevolent exertions of the society.-Richmond Fam. Vis.

Monrovia, June 10th, 1825.

On the 18th of April, 1825, we established a Missionary school for native children. We began with 21; the school has increased since to 31. And as I know

it to be the great object which the Society had in view, I felt that there was no risk in furnishing them with a suit of clothes each, upon the credit of the Board. We teach from eleven in the morning, until two in the afternoon, it being as much time as I can spare at present. You will see from the list that Grand Cape Mount will soon be a field for missionary labours, as that station is most anxious for improvement. I wrote to the King some time in May to send five or six girls to school, and have since received an answer, informing me that the girls and their mothers were absent, and when they returned I should have them. According to their custom they have to remain six months. I intend to write him again, and, as soon as the African Missionary Board can support a school, to get one established up there. To furnish clothing and books for the children, and support a teacher, is what the Board would have to do. I think after one or two years, such an establishment would be no expense to the Board, but that they would very gladly support a school themselves. We are told to hope great things, expect great things, and attempt great things.

You must know that it is a source of much consolation to me to hear the word of God read by those native sons of Ham, who a few months ago were howling in the Devil's Bush.

Dear Sir,

LOTT CARY.

Monrovia, Liberia, Africa,

June 15th, 1825.

Nothing very interesting has taken place since I wrote you last, except that among the last emigrants who came out, there has been considerable sickness, and some deaths; the precise account of which I cannot give at this time. I do believe that the sickness of new comers

hitherto has been greatly increased in consequence of the very unfavourable season of the year in which they left America. You know that they have long been accustomed to have their systems prepared for the summer heat. But to leave in the winter, and be suddenly introduced into a warm climate, it is natural to conclude, that they will be sooner attacked, and that the disease generally terminates more seriously. Send them out in the fall, and

I think the sickness will be very light, and in some constitutions altogether

avoided.

Please to use your influence to have a physician sent out, as I must of necessity quit practising, for it occasions a greater consumption of time than I can possibly afford.

We begin now to get on with our farms and buildings tolerably well. I have a promising little crop of rice and cassada, and have planted about 180 coffee trees this week, a part of which, I think, will produce the next season, as they are now in bloom. I think, sir, that in a very few years we shall send you coffee of a better quality than you have ever seen brought into your market. We find that the trees of two species abound in great quantities on the Capes, both of the large and small green coffee, of which I will send you a specimen by the first opportunity.

The Sunday School continues to prosper.

We have now on the list forty, but only about thirty-three attend regularly. Two of them, George and John, from Grand Cape Mount, can read in the New Testament quite encouragingly. In addition to that, I have under way a regular day school. We began with 21, and now have on our list 31.

Yours, with respect,

LOTT CARY.

In the last report of the London Missionary Society, the following account is given of a meeting of the inhabitants of Raiatea, one of the Society Islands, on the first of January, 1824. Did not these interesting people enter on a New Year in such a rational and Christian like manner, as might well serve as an example to religious congregations, in lands where civilization and the institutions of the gospel have been long established? In what manner could a Christian society better observe a New Year's day, than as a religious festival; at which there should be a simple and temperate repast, furnished by voluntary contributions from the products of the country, accompanied by short addresses, recounting past mercies and future duties, and concluded with prayer and exhortation from their religious teachers?

On an elevated pavement, or platform, in the sea, originally intended for the site