disaffected partisan, who looks upon his own plans as perfect, and treats the plans of others with contempt and disdain. No; but I speak them out as one who has long lamented these evils, and has seen their prejudicial effects; as one who wishes most sincerely the welfare and the prosperity of India; as one who maintains that the Eastern Empire has been put under the authority and rule of Great Britain, by Providence, to give her the gospel and religion of Jesus Christ; and as one who believes, that if these designs are not speedily accomplished, and if we are so tardy and so reluctant in the adoption of those measures which are necessary, that kingdom will be taken from us, and it will be given to a nation that will fulfil the purposes of mercy. You have prayed, you have watched, you have spoken out in the days that are past; the power of public opinion, and especially the voice of the religious public, has partially abolished infanticide, has put down the abominable suttee, and has obtained for us those measures from the government at home, which are still in a state of jeopardy abroad; and is it a time now, I ask, for you to sleep, supposing that while you have accomplished much you have accomplished all? Is it a time to rest upon your oars, imagining that the flood-tide has come, and the storm and the tempest have passed away? Is it time to cease your exertions for us, when the battle is nearly fought, and the race is almost won? I know that the providence of God is on our side; I know that the spirit of reform is abroad, and is in our favour; I know that the great events which are happening throughout the earth are urging on the progress of truth, and of religion; I know that the enemies of the Cross may as soon attempt to stop the sun in his course, as to think of defeating the high destinies of India: but I know, also, that the means are necessary for the end; and there must, therefore, be the pressure from without; you must speak out boldly and fearlessly in defence of the gospel; in addition to earnest and importunate prayer that God would not suffer these measures to be lost, but would watch over them, and cause them to be carried into effect; that he would send us out governors after his own heart-men who, like the Marquis of Hastings, and like Lord William Bentinck, would employ their hearts and their hands in sweeping away the rubbish which has been accumulated, and still obstructs the free progress of the truth. "But while I deplore these evils, which I hope, my Christian friends, will, through your exertions and your prayers, be speedily removed, I should most deeply regret that this meeting, or that any friend of missions, throughout the land, should be led to suppose that India is not a country prepared for the Lord. No; this would be a very grievous mistake; and if any individual were so to understand me, as to fall into it, I should deeply deplore that I had not used language better calculated to convey the sentiments of my mind. No, Sir, if ever there was a country where there was a wide door and effectual for the entrance of the gospel; if ever there was a country where a missionary could obtain peaceable and attentive audiences to reason with and to persuade, and where he is protected in the discharge of his high and important duties; if ever there was a country where the valleys were exalted, and the mountains and high hills were brought low, and crooked paths were made straight, and rough places plain, that the glory of the Lord might be revealed-it is, certainly, British India. Go from the east to the west, and from the north to the south, you are safe under the protection of the law; your temporal comforts are regarded as much, by the kindness and urbanity of the people, as the measures adopted for your convenience by the government; yon may stand in the street, or in the public place of resort, or in the porch of the heathen temple, and proclaim the gospel of God. No thundering edicts, no terrible anathemas there denounce your entrance, as barbarians. No imperial gates shut you out from all intercourse on the east, and no insurmountable wall prevents your progress in the north; no necessity is laid upon you to coast in a disguised manner along the shore, and after you have spent an hour in a village, oblige you to decamp as an intruder and an enemy. No apprehension attends you that the authorities are ready to seize upon you, to imprison you, and to put you to death. No, Sir, the Lord has sent his armies before you to prepare your way, and he goes before you in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night, and on your right hand and on your left he is a defence. I wish not to set up India, as a field of missions, in competition with any other kingdom upon the earth. But if the providence of God has opened widely unto us one door, while another equally under his control, is inaccessible by gates and bars of iron; if the people of Macedonia are crying out loudly, Come over and help us,' and we assay to go into Bithynia, while the Spirit suffers us not; if God has laid the empire of India at our feet, and has, in defiance of Acts of Parliament and the hostile policy of the government at home, added one kingdom to our territories after another, that his designs of mercy may be fulfilled, while the empire of China is hurling her anathemas at our heads, and denouncing us in terms of obloquy and insult; are we not neglecting a plain and important duty, and seeking out paths of our own devising, if we forsake the one to make an attack upon the other? and are we not incurring an awful responsibility, while we raise up and send forth missionaries, and command them to enter into the heart of China at the risk of their lives, while India is ready to receive us with open arms, and welcome us as the messengers of peace? and are we not acting too much the part of the priest and the Levite, who would, I doubt not, have compassed sea and land to make one proselyte, while they passed by the man who had fallen among thieves upon the other side, instead of acting the part of the Good Samaritan, who found his object of pity in the way, and bound up his wounds, and brought him to the inn, and took care of him. "But I have learned, with grief, and dismay, and astonishment, that men of talents, and piety, and zeal, are not to be found to send out as missionaries to India. I wish not to throw cold water on the subject of China by any means; but if you wish to enter China, if you wish that the way may be opened for the introduction of the gospel into that vast empire, what do I advise you to do? To do justice to India! Fulfil your duties and obligations to the country which God has put into your hands, and then he will give you China as a prize and reward. I am ready to hide my head with shame before this assembly, and in the presence of my Master, for my countrymen, for our seats of learning, and for the church of the living God. Had you been called to defend the rights and the liberties of your country, and had failed to display the courage and magnanimity which characterized your ancestors, I should deeply have deplored it. Had you been called upon to go to the extremities of the earth, to explore regions comparatively unknown, and to add to the triumphs of science and philosophy, and had been found wanting in a spirit of enterprise to accomplish the undertaking, I should have deplored it. What, then, shall I say, when the call has been reiterated from the heavens above, and in the earth beneath-from the sanctuary and from the press-from the Christian church-from the lips of the missionaries-and from perishing millions,-inviting you to the post of honour, of danger, and of sacrifice; to stand on the ramparts of depravity, and contend with principalities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places; and to tread in the steps of prophets and apostles, of confessors and of martyrs? Ye descendants of the Puritans and Nonconformists where is the spirit of your fathers? Where is the spirit that led them to the rack, and to the gibbet, to the prison, and to the flames? Where is the spirit that induced them to take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing that in heaven they had a better and more enduring substance, and that supported them while they wandered in deserts, and in dens, and in caves of the earth? You are not called upon like them to make such sacrifices, and endure such sufferings for conscience' sake: but you are called upon to stand like Moses in the breach, and turn away, if possible, the wrath of the Lord from the guilty nations. You are not called upon like them to cross the western waves as pilgrims, and to live among the wilds and woods of Columbia, and establish an empire there, which is the hope of the world, and the glory of all lands: but you are called upon to cross the mighty ocean, to colonize the East, to establish the empire which is never to be destroyedto raise up a race who shall praise Immanuel's name for ever. You will tell me, in reply, that we have plenty of native teachers, and therefore it is unnecessary for you to leave your home, and your friends, and your country. I concur most fully and cordially with you in the necessity-the absolute necessity-of raising up native teachers; and the history of my missionary career will bear me testimony, that I put the greatest value and estimate upon them, as the instruments of evangelizing India. But their number and their qualifications cannot be a substitute for your lack of service in this morning of the day. No. Take a battalion of sepoys, native soldiers, alone, and send them forth on a campaign where their march is opposedor to storm a citadel, where they are exposed to toil, to danger, and to destruction; and what would be the consequence? Such is the influence which a long course of oppression and of despotism has had upon their race, that they are timid and cowardly in the extreme; and the probability is, that they would, in the hour of trial, turn their backs upon the enemy and flee. But let that same battalion be under the command of British officers-let them be led on to battle, and animated in the struggle, by the bravery and the courageous example of our countrymen, and they advance to the action with courage-they ascend the breach in triumph, and they march through scenes of carnage and of death, to victory. Our native teachers partake of the character of their countrymen. Though they are Christians-though many of them declare the gospel with courage and with boldness, yet, standing alone, they would make but a feeble assault upon the strongholds of the enemy, and a heartless stand in the day of trial and calamity. No, ye children of freedom, and ye spirits of the west, they want you to be their leaders to battle and to victory! They require you to teach their hands to war, and their fingers to fight.' They require you, not only to give them wisdom and understanding-not only to instruct them in science, and philosophy, and religion-not only to establish seminaries for their advancement in knowledge and in grace: but to support them in the day of trial-to animate them, by your example, in their attack on the bulwark of Satan, and to go before them, if it be necessary, to the breach, to the prison, or to the grave ! I come not to excite you to the field by any earthly or worldly consideration. I should be ashamed to stand before you on this platform, and try to allure by the wiles and the temptations of temporal influence and good. I should esteem myself worthy of your abhorrence and contempt, were I to tell you that wealthy and honourable stations and bishoprics awaited you in a distant land,-that you were to move in the highest spheres of society,-that you would live in circumstances of ease, and splendour, and affluence,-and that, instead of being gentlemen in the west, you would become nabobs in the east. No such thing;-away with such trash! I take my stand on far higher ground than this; higher, because it is more honourable, and more consistent with your principles and your Christianity. I tell you to-day of the heavenly calling which you are to have,-it is, that your Lord and Master may show you what great things you are to suffer for his name's sake. I tell you to-day of the riches of grace which are to be conferred upon you; -it is, that you are to be privileged to preach, not among your countrymen, but among the heathen, the unsearchable riches of Christ. I tell you to-day of the post of honour and usefulness which you are to occupy ;-it is, that on a foreign shore you should fight the good fight, and finish your course, and keep the faith, and should count not your life dear to you, so that you may finish your course with joy, and the ministry which you have received of the Lord Jesus. I tell you to-day of the noble example which you are to follow ;-you are to tread in the steps of prophets and apostles, of confessors, and of martyrs. I tell you to-day of the high and exalted honours which you are to receive ;-you are to be counted worthy to suffer shame for his name, and to bear a testimony for him-it may be in chains before kings and councils of the Gentiles. I tell you to-day of the glorious rewards which you are to obtain ;-it is, the approbation of your Master, a harvest of souls, and, after pouring out your life, as a libation, upon the altar, to shine forth in the kingdom of your Father, as the sun in the firmament, or as a star for ever and ever. If there be nothing in such motives as these to actuate you to labour and to sacrifice, remain at your ease in Zion, since every other motive would be unworthy of this glorious work; but if there is any thing in this honour, this grace, this station, this example, and this reward, that is calculated to lead you to trample the world under your feet, and to bear, like an angel of mercy, the message of reconciliation to man, then follow your Master and your brethren to the high places of the field; stand on the walls of Zion, to blow the trumpet, and warn heathens of their danger; make full proof of your ministry, and be faithful unto death! 3.-AMERICAN SLAVERY. The Congregational Unions of England and Wales and Scotland have determined to address letters of Christian remonstrance to the American Churches on the subject of Slavery in the United States. The religious destitution of the numerous bands of emigrants to our colonial possessions has at length called into exercise the sympathies and energies of some of the influential merchants in London. It appears that they have formed a Society called 4. THE COLONIAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The object of this institution is to provide English Ministers, to labor amongst our fellow-countrymen in the Canadas, Australia, and other portions of Britain's wide domain. We sincerely rejoice in the effort, and trust it will be crowned with the greatest success. This is the most efficient method of blessing mankind, to carry at once to foreign lands the advantages of civilization and the blessings of true piety. 5. THE REV. ROBERT VAUGHAN. The Senatus Academicus of Glasgow have conferred the degree of Doctor in Divinity on the Rev. Robert Vaughan, Professor of Ancient and Modern History in the University of London, and author of the Life and Times of Wycliffe, &c. There are few instances in which that distinction has been more justly awarded, or which it has done greater honor to the donor and receiver. Mr. V. has worked his way to his present high standing, unaided by any collegiate advantages, and had therefore no claim upon the Senate but that which the merit of his indefatigable labors had secured him. We learn from a prospectus which has been some time on our table, that an institution has been formed by some devoted females, the object of which is to promote 6.-EDUCATION IN THE EAST. The managers have already given an indication of their zeal and love for the native female population of these countries, by furnishing some intel ligent and pious labourers who are now employed in Bengal, the Straits, and China. We hope to be able to notice the intentions and operations of this Society more at large in an early number. BENGAL. 7.-SCHOOL AT KISHENPUR, CHHOTA' NA'GPUR. The following account of the examination of the School at Kishenpur, which has been sent us by the intelligent native teacher of the institution, will be read with great interest. Our friends will recollect that the scholars are chiefly Kols, an account of whose degraded state will be found in another part of this Number; and will therefore be the more gratified to see among them the light of knowledge and of truth arise. The letter from which the following is an extract, is dated June 12, 1836. "The number of the boys attached to the school amounts to 39, almost all of whom attend regularly; they are divided into four classes, of which the first read English Instructor, No. 3, nearly finished, and Grammar and Geography; the second class is going on with the English Instructor, No. 3, and a part of Orthography; and the two last classes with the English Instructor, No. 1, one of which should have the second number very soon. All of them, except those that are in the last class, can read and write Hindustání in English characters very correctly and fluently. "On the 12th ultimo Captain T. Wilkinson and Mr. Tickle were pleased to come to the school with a view to examine the boys. They commenced the examination at half past eleven with the third class, the boys of which highly satisfied and pleased them by answering what Mr. W. was pleased to ask; and on leaving they were each rewarded with a small coin, and also with much praise and applause. The second class boys, being examined, made the gentlemen proportionally glad and satisfied, and they were equally praised and rewarded. And the first class boys, though they were examined very strictly and minutely, yet they surpassed all; for they not only answered what had been desired of them correctly, but also explained it fully and satisfactorily, and they were proportionally praised. They were not, however, rewarded as were the other two classes, for they belong to the honourable families of this place. At the close of the examination Mr. W. was pleased to inquire for specimens of their hand-writing, when what I had got ready before the examination were brought before them. This indeed made them still more glad, for the boys appeared too young to write so well; on which Mr. W. repeated these words and went away, "Can Kols read and write in this manner? Indeed, it is a wonderful thing!" 8.-LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. A service deeply interesting to the friends of the above Society was held in the Union Chapel, Durrumtollah, on Wednesday, Sept. 7th. This day was the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the Society's mission in Calcutta, by the arrival of Messrs. Townley and Keith. It was deemed expedient to make it a day of retrospect, humiliation, and prayer. In the morning at 9, the Rev. A. F. Lacroix addressed a considerable number of the Native Christians from the surrounding villages, on the rise, progress and present aspect of Missionary Societies, especially those connected with India. In the evening a very similar address was delivered by the pastor of the Church to a respectable audience. It was a day of many tears to those who looked at the past, and saw at every step the ravages which death and sickness had made amongst their beloved brethren; but it was also a day of some gladness, to think that an entrance had been obtained to these heathen lands, and, we hope, it may be to some heathen hearts. We thank God and take courage. DOMESTIC OCCURRENCES. [Where the place is not mentioned, Calcutta is to be understood.] 18. At Buxar, Mr. R. Rivers to Miss R. Green. 25. At Chandernagore, Mr. E. P. Beaufort to Miss A. Antoine. 26. At Agra, Mr. W. Tomason, to Miss S. Wilkins. W. Mackenzie, Esq., to Miss F. Lascelles. Major E. Garstin, Engrs., to Miss M. A. Duffin. 27. At Delhi, Sergt. J. Hill to Miss A. Foy. 28. 29. At Sulkea, Pubna, Lieut. J. Wemyss, 44th N. I., to Miss B. Driver. At Chinsurah, Mr. G. B. Hoff to Miss A. E. Ross. Mr. E. C. Chinnery to Miss M. E. Murray. 30. W. Scott, Esq., to Miss Conyers. AUG. 1. 2. R. J. Dring, Esq., to Miss M. M. Todd. At Futtyghur, Mr. E. Jennings to Miss S. J. D'Gruythur. 5. At Dinapore, Asst. Apothecary W. D. Salt, to Mrs. S. Sally. 8. 9. At Allahabad, Mr. Jas. Conlan, to Miss E. Blyth. F. S. Ochme, Esq., to Miss L. M. Conyers. 18. Capt. C. H. Whiffen, of the Sumatra, to Mrs. M. Fox. 13. At Lucknow, the lady of Lieut. W. Blackwood, 59th N. I., of a son. At Cawnpore, Mrs. J. L. Turnbull, of a daughter. 17. 18. 19. At Delhi, the wife of Drum Major G. Concaunon, 20th N. I., of a son. At Benares, the lady of Lieut. W. Edwards, 18th N. I., of a son, At Benares, the lady of Capt. C. J. Lewes, of a son. 20. At Kidderpore, the lady of Rev. J. McQueen, of a son. 21. At Hazareebaugh, the wife of Lieut. H. Routh, H. M.'s 49th Foot, of a son. 22. At Sultanpore, Oude, the lady of Major J. B. Smith, 63d N. I., of a daughter. At Futtyghur, the lady of Lieut. G. A. Tytler, H. M.'s 13th Foot, of a daughter. 24. 25. -- The lady of W. Prinsep, Esq. of a daughter. At Lucknow, the lady of Major W. R. Pogson, 47th N. I., of a daughter. At Lucknow, the lady of Lieut. G. C. Armstrong, 47th N. I., of a son. At Seebpore, Backergunge, Mrs. P. DeSilva, of a son. At Agra, the lady of Capt. D. Birrell, European Regt., of a daughter. 27. At Cawnpore, the lady of Capt. G. D. Roebuck, 71st N. I., of a son. At Landour, the lady of Capt. J. Leeson, 42nd N. I., of a son. 29. 30. 31. AUG. At Saugor, the lady of Lieut. J. Knyvett, 64th N. I., of a son. Mrs. J. J. Marques, of a daughter. At Bhaugulpore, the lady of Lieut. G. C. Newbolt, of a daughter. Mrs. W. Dickson, of a daughter. At Moisgunge, Kishnaghur, Mrs. T. Savi, of a son. Mrs. W. H. Bolst, of a daughter. 2. At Surbandy Factory, Furreedpore, the lady of C. Gilmour, Esq., of a son. |