Missionary Herald.

Foreign Intelligence.

BATAVIA.

FROM this station-important, not merely on account of its numerous resident population, but as maintaining commercial intercourse with the whole of Eastern Asia-we have lately received

ference to the scene of labour in which he has now been engaged upwards of seven years, Mr. Robinson observes:

to Missionary objects. We consider this, however, the least of the advantages that will be derived from our tour. We were, I think, unusually assisted in preaching Christ to the people; and most of our sermons were directed to the nature and glory of his kingdom, in its connexion with Missionary exertions. Our labour has been great, but our health and strength have been mercifully preserved. We were received at every place with much real christian hospitality; and we could not but admire, that Christians of all denominations seemed to consider the Bap-letters, dated in July last. In retist Mission as a work that God had much owned, and an object in which they had all a joint interest. Some congregations, however, had scarcely known any thing about it, and all our information appeared to them as strange news. We are fully convinced, that should the same steps we have taken, be followed up by our brethren in all the counties in England, we shall not only at once be delivered from our embarrassment, but our resources will be so much furthered as to enable us to extend our efforts. We would advise all that may be disposed to embark in this good work, to have printed circulars sent to all the congregations in the county, allowing themselves sufficient time in each town, so as to be able to make personal applications to individuals, and after such applications to preach and, if they can, obtain collections. Personal applications will prove the most productive, and will fford an opportunity of conveying information to many individuals who are not in the habit of attending our places of worship, where information is generally communicated.

We trust that the zeal of these worthy brethren will provoke very many, and that the privilege awaits us of recording many such instances of affectionate and suc

cessful zeal on behalf of the Society.

WALLINGFORD, BERKS.

ON Sunday, October 15, 1821, the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Wallingford Auxiliary Baptist Missionary So ciety, was held at Wallingford. Three Sermons were preached on the occasion; two by the Rev. John Chin of Walworth, and one by the Rev. Joseph Tyso. The collections and subscriptions amounted to £28 10s. 6d.

"The time is come, when I much need a fellow-labourer: my work increases, and my strength diminishes. I do not say, that there is a great door open, but it is high time for us to attempt something on a larger scale, and to make, if possible, a regular and well-directed attack on Muhammedanism. We must, if you will assist us, make a strenuous effort to establiska schools; we must go all round the country, where the Malay language is spoken, and preach and disperse religious tracts. Other tracts must be written; schoolbooks, and books containing the first principles of useful knowledge, must be prepared and circulated; and, in short, every effort must be made to enlighten the public mind, and to prepare the way of the Lord. Muhammedanism is, I believe, Satan's strongest fort; and our post seems to be on the most impregnable side of that fort. We must not expect an easy victory; the siege will be long, and success will long appear doubtful; some of us shall most likely die in the attempt,

but others will live to hear the shout of

victory."

which he has lately been occuIn describing the manner in pied, he modestly remarks:

"What I have done during the last three months will not appear much, though I have been constantly employed. I commenced writing a short dissertation on Malay orthography, but as the subject was an exceedingly difficult one, I could proceed but slowly; however, I have collected a few rough materials, and I must, after a time, think of shaping and arranging them. Something of this kind is very necessary, in order to elucidate, to our Missionary brethren, the principles of this very difficult orthography: for it is to

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death, say, 'I know that none but Jesus can save me; I pray to him, and I will die under his feet.'

"An old Portuguese woman died lately in Batavia, of whose conversion I have but little doubt. She lived till old age in sin and ignorance, but began, something less than a year ago, to attend Malay worship, when, there is reason to hope, the Lord opened her eyes, and taught her to flee from the wrath to come. From the time of her first attending she was a constant hearer, till she was confined at home by her last illness. Asking her one day whether she was afraid to die, she replied," I have been a great sinner, and when I think of my sins, I am afraid; but when I think of the death of Jesus, I have

be regretted, that there is no work extant, which is sufficiently full on the subject. While writing remarks for this dissertation, I discovered many errors in my Spelling Book, though I had really be stowed much labour upon it, so that I have been obliged to revise and correct the whole, and have it re-copied. I have also made a rough, and rather free, translation, of the Muhammedan History of Abraham, from Malay into English. This 1 intend to revise and forward to the Society. It is a childish story, but it may perhaps be of some little service in the hands of the Society. A few extracts from the Muhammedan History of David, also translated from the Malay, finish the productions of my pen for the last quarter. These extracts I shall inclose in the pre-hope." An old man, who has been my sent letter, leaving it to the discretion of the Society to dispose of them as they think proper.

"I apprehend that extracts from Malay Books may be useful, and therefore intend to turn my attention a little to that sub. ject.

"I bave continued to preach as usual, without any interruption from sickness, though I cannot boast of good health. On the subject of success I can say but little one or two incidents, however, may be worth mentioning. A young man of hopeful piety has joined our praying friends. About a year ago, he lived without any serious thoughts of religion, and did not even attend worship. We have now seven persons, besides myself, who engage in prayer at our prayermeetings, in regular turn. The China. man mentioned in my letter to Dr. Ryland, of April last, who burnt the appendages of his paper god, now lies very ill, and is not likely to recover. Previously to his illness, he had for sometime absented himself from worship; but one Sabbathday, being taken suddenly ill, he became quite alarmed, and sent for The'an to visit him. The'an and Mr. Diering went the same day, and I called on him the day following, and have continued to visit him once, twice, or three times a week ever since. I am in doubt as to the state of his soul, but am not destitute of hope. I pray with him every time I visit him, and he seems desirous of obtaining mercy, and believing on Christ. He says, and I really believe him, that he has not the least confidence in any of the Chinese idols. He tells me that he prays, and I have no doubt that he attempts it; but still his mind appears very dark, and I fear he has no correct ideas of the deceitfulness of his own heart; it is however affecting, and a little encouraging, to hear a poor idolater, while lying on a sick bed, in prospect of

host at Tugooh, during the six years that I have been in the habit of visiting that village, now lies ill, and probably will soon go the way of all living. I visited him yesterday; he talks like a Christian, and I hope that he does depend on Jesus Christ alone for salvation. An old Chinawoman has lately expressed a wish for instruction; and as she is ill, and not able to attend worship constantly, I have appointed every Friday evening to go and instruct her at her own house. She seems to have no faith in the Chinese gods; and to tell the truth, I fear she has no serious concern about her soul; but I intend to visit her a little longer, in hopes of doing her good."

The following summary view is given of the visible effects which have resulted from his labours during his residence at Batavia. Our readers will feel the force of the interrogation with which it concludes.

"We have now, at Batavia, four members, who have been baptized in Java; and we have besides them, five men of hopeful piety, who pray in turn at our prayer-meetings. There are also a few women, who seem to be pious; and two persons, if no more, appear to have died in the Lord; to say nothing of a poor Chinaman, who says he will die under the feet of Jesus. Add these together, and you will find them more than ten, the number for which Sodom might have been saved; and shall Java then be rejected?"

The following extract from the Mahommedan history of David, mentioned by Mr. Robinson, wili

nity to remind them of their own death; him, was strange matter to him. He exbut as this matter did not seem worth their pressed himself, that he felt the truth in attention, I began to speak about the re- his heart of that I had told him, that he surrection of the dead. This was matter of was willing to follow my words, and very laughter for such wise people as they ima- anxious to know more about it. Knowing gined themselves to be. I asked them whe- these eastern deceitful assertions, I rether they thought it impossible for such a minded him of God's omniscience, who mighty God, who had made heaven and penetrated, with his all-seeing eye into earth, and all in it, to raise the bodies of our hearts, and that the sincerity of our the dead. By this they were quite si- hearts was very pleasing to him. He lenced. I spoke farther on the Gospel asked me several things about his religitruths to them, and they seemed to listen ous ceremonies, such as fasting, (which he with attention. Shortly after, I went into just kept,) &c. which I answered with the some Javanese village. The head man utmost caution, not to give any offence or of it appeared soon to bid me welcome. I raise prejudice, told him merely, that it soon began to turn the conversation on hardly could be called fasting to abstain religion, especially as I observed his fast-from food and sleep at day,time, and to ing. I soon came with him on Jesus indulge at night as much as they liked. I Christ, and the redemption by him. I visited him shortly after a second time, asked him whether he and his people though he did not appear so anxious to would like to know and hear something me as the first time about the way of salmore of the Gospel. He told me, that old vation; yet he maintained that he was and steady people did not like to hear of very willing to listen, approving at the Jesus; yet I did not hesitate to tell him same time all I said to him. who Jesus was, and that salvation was to be had in no other than alone in him; yet he took all I mentioned to him in good humour.

A short time ago I went up the country, about three miles distant, Entering a small village, I met several persons, I began immediately to address them on the subject of religion; this seemed rather strange to them, that a European should have such a discourse to them. They listened with so much attention, as if they would swallow my words. I told them, that God thus loved the world, that he had given his only begotten Son, &c. &c. By and by arrived a Chinaman, who lived in the same village, who by his always living among the Javans, had some clear notions about the only and true God; neither did he seem to be guilty of idolatry. I spoke especially to him of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ: all was new and strange to him, and matter of astonishment. He asked me several questions in the presence of the others, which I answered and resolved to him with the greater pleasure, as I saw their attention. Night drawing near, I was obliged to bid them farewell for the present; they thanked me very heartily for the conversation with them.

Further: I went into another village in the neighbourhood of Samarang; after conversing with a man who seemed to be very rigid in his religious tenets, I went farther on to some other house. There I found a man, who listened very attentive to that I told him of God's way of saving sinners who believe in Jesus. As he was a Mnsselman, he had certainly heard of Jesus's name; but that remission of sin and God's grace were obtained by faith in

Another day I went to some village, where I intended to converse with the inhabitants on the Gospel. After they had related to me a number of things respecting their lands and houses, &c. I told them that it was not merely necessary to care for the body, but especially for the soul; and in order to bring it more home upon them, and to introduce the Gospel to them, I asked what they thought would become of their souls hereafter. They replied, this question was too deep for them, as they never had troubled their minds with such things. I expressed that I pi tied them very much. In the mean time some had gone to call the priest of the village, who soon arrived: he was an old venerable looking man. I asked him whether he could read and write? He replied, he could read a little, but write he could not. I entered in a conversation with him on religion, in the presence of the people, who were staring at us, as if they heard something quite new. I spent a very pleasant hour with them. I hope to visit them as often I can. I must observe that the people higher up the country are far less acquainted with the particular tenets of the Mahometan religion, though they are called Musselmans, than the people along the sea shore, and are therefore the fittest subjects for the Gospel, as their prejudices are less. Thus I might enter tain you with a number of things of that kind: but I fear I have been already too prolix.

On Sundays I have regular preaching in Malay to a few poor people, who profess themselves Christians. Though I see that the number of hearers does not increase, I will not give it up as long as there are two or three. An old man amongst them,