La Seine, (Fr.,) Lemarie, for Bourbon. 27. James Turcan, (Bark,) J. Turcan, for Liverpool. 28. Eamont, (Bark,) N. Burtsal, for the Isle of France. Daniel Wheeler, (Bark,) J, Bouch, for Liverpool. 22. Orestes, R. B. Shettler, for China. - Fergusson, A. Young, for China. Edmonstone, M. McDougal, for China, 21. Corsair, (Brig,) J. Stephen, for Penang. 17. Lysander, W. Currie, for London. Minerva, (Bark,) T. Gray, for London. Gilbert Munro, Chas. Duff, for the Mauritius. 20. Louisa, (Bark,) A. De La Combe, for Coromandel Coast. Passengers for Madras.-Mrs. Jellicoe and W. Jellicoe, Esq. Messenger des Indes, (Fr.,) J. M. Verspecki, for Bourbon. Passengers for London.-Lieut. Horne and Ensign Horsburgh. 31. Meteorological Register, kept at the Surveyor General's Office, Calcutta, for the Month of July, 1836. ,600 83,287,883,0 21 ,600 83,2 86,385,0 22 ,696 83,3 84,2 82,9 29,642 84,7 85,083,5 s.sw.,64085,0 E. E. W. w. 8. S. 23 ,756 84,5 84,8 84,8] S. ,750 84,5 84,6 82,8 24 ,750 83,389,0,85,5 S. ,738 83,8 91,4 86,4 s. s. 25 ,770 84,5 89,2 85,3 S. ,760 85,8 91,286,8 s. ,712 88,3 90,588,3 26 ,770 85,889,585,5 S. ,752 86,5 ,770 87,2 82,881,5 s.sw.,658 83,5 86,084,1 8.,658 83,2 S. 89,086,2 s. ,704 88,9 90,888,0 91,285,9 s.8 w.,724 89,3 93,788,0 89,484,8 s. ,690 86,5 87,984,0 87,8 83,4 8. ,692 87,8 69,784,3 83,481,4 calm.,714 84,1 85,082,8 w.,682 84,1 79,278,8 N. w.,644 81,0 78,277,5/N.W.1,638 81,5 84,7 82,6 calm. 1,08 78,877,7 N. w. 0,65 THE CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN OBSERVER. October, 1836. I.-Letter from an American Lady on the subject of Maternal Associations. [In presenting the following most interesting letter to our readers, we cannot forbear remarking upon the excellent spirit in which it is conceived. It is from the heart of a Christian mother, addressed to Christian mothers every where. That heart had first yearned over the souls of her own beloved children, and had "taken no rest" until the movements of the blessed Spirit of Grace appeared upon them; and will not the hearts of all Christian mothers respond to so maternal, so holy a resolution? To them is committed the task of making the first impressions upon the infant minds of their offspring-and that most wisely and most mercifully. Large experience proves that nothing can well withstand the united prayers and counsels and affectionate instructions of a mother who, animated with divine love as with the love of her children, labours from the first in faith and earnestness for their salvation. We do strongly, nay urgently recommend the plan of Maternal Associations for general adoption by mothers in this country. Why do so many Christian parents mourn in bitterness and anguish and disappointment over their unconverted, godless, and perhaps immoral offspring? Surely, surely there was a fault, a serious fault somewhere; either some failure in adding prayer to counsel, or in making the best advice appear evidently to spring from the fondest affection-or possibly the word was not always "in season;" the fittest occasions were not chosen for it; the natural characters of the individuals were not carefully studied-or there was a lack of consistency in themselves-perhaps a carelessness in regard to the companionship in which their children were allowed-an over-indulgence or an over-strictness and severity; for even the expression of just displeasure on a parent's face should be "but the graver countenance of love." Let Christian parents then, mothers especially, remember their solemn responsibilities, and how much in very truth the present and eternal welfare or wretchedness of their beloved ones is dependent upon their spirit and their exertions. If this letter should but stir up Christian mothers individually to greater zeal and effort in this great matter, much would be accomplished-but we strongly recommend the plan of associations for this end. The combination of several is of great importance-it brings the wisdom and energy of all to bear upon all and upon each. The diversity of natural talent and quickness of observation-the different experience of one and of another-the stimulus given to activity by mutual exhortations oft repeated-the constant communication of new information in the details of various cases that occur of failure or success-these and many other circumstances essentially connected with associations, give them an immense advantage in this very solemn and important matter. We must now leave the letter to speak for itself; we hope and believe it cannot fail to make a powerful impression on many, many mothers in this country, where peculiar difficulties and dangers in the matter of the religious education of children exist, arising from the depraved character of native servants, and the absence of all those ten thousand sources of useful idea that are known in Christian countries and amid a whole population of Christianized persons.-ED.] Utica, June 31, 1832. From a recent interview with Mr. F. I. Marshall, we are encouraged, as a society, to address a letter to you, accompanied DEAR MADAM, with other documents on the subject of Maternal Associations. From our own experience of the benefits which have resulted to ourselves and to our children from our united efforts, we feel confidence in recommending to mothers the institution of similar associations in Great Britain. The disciples of Christ, in their desires to be useful, know not the limit of elime or country; though the waters of the broad Atlantic continue to wave between us, yet we own a community of interest which we shall ever love to feel, and which we shall be gratified to have reciprocated. The privilege of opening a correspondence between Great Britain and America, on a subject fraught with such momentous consequences to the rising generation, is allotted to me as corresponding Secretary; but for the sake of being more particular, and bringing the subject home to the heart, allow me, my dear madam, to address you in my own name. Allow me at once the privilege of that kind of familiar intercourse which subsists between sisters. And are we not thus related? While my heart claims the kindred tie, my bosom swells with emotions of love and gratitude to our Heavenly Father, for giving me an opportunity of an introduction to yourself through the medium of our friend Mr. Marshall. We believe that Maternal Associations are of recent originprobably a sign of the times not to be overlooked. As the defection of our race from God originated with our own sex, is there not something peculiarly pleasing and appropriate in the fact of women uniting their efforts and prayers in the endeavour to reclaim a revolted world? And where should their efforts begin but with their own offspring, and where should they cease but with the ends of the earth? The first Maternal Association of which we have any knowledge, originated with Mrs. Payson; and such was the impulse given by the efforts of this mother, that in about one year Maternal Associations were found in almost every parish through the State of Maine. This was in 1820. In June 1824, eight ladies met in Utica, and formed themselves into an association, adopting the constitution of the Portland Association. At our annual meeting in the present week, we found that our number of members had increased to one hundred. We have often found occasion to vary our course of proceedings at our stated meetings; sometimes giving ourselves wholly to prayer, then again chiefly to conversation. So also in the instruction of our children, as circumstances seem to demand; always, however, making the Bible the basis of our intercourse with them. The question is often asked, "What is the definite object of Maternal Associations ?" We answer, the early conversion of our children. A Christian mother, under a solemn conviction of the uncertain tenure by which she is bound to her dear family, feels an earnest desire to see them all sheltered in the ark of eternal safety, ere the silken cord of maternal love is severed, or she is called to give up a beloved one to the arms of the destroyer, uncertain of its eternal destiny. She importunately asks, "Can my little child be taught its relation to God? On what principle?" The answer must be unhesitatingly, "Yes, and on the principle of analogy." Just as soon as the child may be taught its relation to parents, it can be taught its relations and obligations to God. Faith being one of the most simple acts of the mind, and repentance the dictate not only of common sense but also of nature, little children early understand their meaning, and require their exercise whenever their own rights have been infringed on. We believe that when a child's will has been subjugated to the will of a parent, the most formidable obstacle in the way of its conversion has been removed. It will not be difficult to satisfy the child, that the parent has been acting under delegated authority. Oh! when will the Christian parent feel more for the insulted honour of his Father in heaven than for his own; so that when the child raises his little arm against him, he will feel that he indeed has received the blow, but that the shock is chiefly felt at the throne of the Great Eternal! It is under impressions like these that we endeavour to stimulate ourselves and each other. At each meeting we resolve that we will never give ourselves rest or ease, till each and every one of our children is born again. And indeed, my dear madam, I can truly say that those mothers who live up to the spirit of our Association, go much farther than what is contained in our constitution or expressed above. I thank God we can say, some mothers, like Hannah, ask their children of the Lord that they may give them back to him for as long as they live. Yes, over the new-born infant the prayer of faith begins to be offered up. The covenant which God has made with his people, is no longer of doubtful import. The promise, "I will be a God to thee and to thy seed after thee," is believed and acted upon. While a multitude of parents may throng the Saviour, it is only such as feel they must "touch the border of his garment," or like the Syrophenician woman continue under discouragements to cry "Lord help me," that can expect to receive an immediate blessing. Family prayer is considered by most to have a more extended application than formerly. Some mothers have adopted the plan of taking all their children daily, and kneeling with them at the footstool of Mercy; while each dear little one in turn pleads that its wicked heart may be taken away and a new one given. Perhaps I was never more delighted than when my little boy, eight years old, asked God to teach his dear parents that they might know how to teach him.' This was our eldest; he was rightly named Sa muel, for he was asked of the Lord. He is now under a course of study for the Ministry. Our second son lived only to die. When his remains were carried from my bedside to the place of interment, by faith I was enabled to rejoice, and say, "And infant voices shall proclaim Their early blessings on his name." Our third son, who died at the age of five years, was uncommonly promising. To an inquisitive mind was added great personal beauty; but there was a charm beyond these he was a Christian child! Scarcely a day passed of the last year of his life, but he led me to my closet to pray that he might not sin, but that he might love the Lord Jesus! Our eldest girl made a profession of religion at the age of thirteen. Our next son, whom we call Henry Martyn, is a lad of eleven years old. Before his hopeful conversion two years since, my soul was exceedingly exercised for the salvation of this dear child, and indeed for all our little ones. About six months since, our youngest child, seven years old, was hopefully converted. The circumstances which led to this blessed result were as follows. I had for months yearned over this child; also over a son a year and three months older, and a niece of the same age. I sent, one afternoon, for two dear members of our Association of undoubted piety and much given to prayer. I told them I could not bear to have my dear children live any longer enemies to God, and. I wished to enjoy a season of prayer with them on their behalf. As we were about to kneel down, I told my little ones that I wished them all to give their hearts to God while we were praying for them. After we rose I desired them to retire to bed. Little Emily seemed unwilling to leave us; the tears trickled down her face. I told them if they had not given up their hearts to Christ, I hoped they would after they retired. On going to the nursery, Emily requested no one might speak to her. The next morning I was full of care. In the evening, when my usual time for reading with the children was come, Emily said, with a face beaming with pleasure, "Did you know, mother, that I gave up my heart to Christ last night? I did not do it when you were praying; but after I was in bed, I felt the eye of God was upon me, and it was very easy, mother, to give my heart up." I said, "I am rejoiced, my dear, to hear it; but if you did, Emily, you will love to pray to him, just as children love to converse with their parents." She said, "You know, mother, I have always prayed every night and morning; but this forenoon I wanted to pray; so I went up into your room, for I thought that was the most retired place; you know, mamma, what that hymn says, "Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice, returning from his ways." From |