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From the Rev. Robert Pinkerton.

ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 25, (O. S.) 1817. The Don Cossack Bible Society was finally established on the 12th of July, when the brave Hettman, Count Platoff, and General Kuteinckoff, were unanimously elected Vice-Presidents, together with a Committee of eight Directors, two Secretaries, and a Treasurer. At the first Meeting of the Committee, Count Platoff presided; and á number of appropriate regulations were made, which will tend greatly to accelerate the object of the Institution. The following are

extracts:

"Now that the Don Cossack Branch is regularly organized, the Committee will endeavour to act in such a way as is best calculated to further the benevolent objects of the Russian Bible Society, and to furnish all our Cossacks, who desire to possess them, with the Books of Holy Writ.

"It is necessary, therefore, first of all, to use means for augmenting the number of Members and Benefactors; thereby the amount of subscriptions will, by the aid of Almighty God, who blesses all good Institutions, be augmented also; at the formation of this Society, the subscriptions from the inhabitants of this city (Tscherkask) alone, were very considerable. The other parts of the Don Cossack States have not yet been called upon to aid this newly founded Institution; and, therefore, in order that the Cossack officers and men, and even the civil inhabitants, who are animated with a desire to promote the reading of the Word of God our Saviour, may have an opportunity of manifesting this their laudable zeal, by becoming supporters of this Society, the Cossack Government shall be petitioned to make its object known in a becoming way, in all the districts inhabited by the Don Cossacks, by sending to every village, 1st, a copy of His Imperial Majesty's letter to the Hettman, Count Platoff, on the subject of the Bible Society. 2d, A copy of the pamphlet on the object of the Russian Bible Society: from which every one will see, that not the smallest gifts are rejected; that even kopeks will be accepted with gratitude. 3d, Subscription papers for enrolling the names of the Members and Benefactors. Each of the Priests belonging to the Cossacks of the Don, shall also be furnished with copies of the same from the Consistories of Tscherkask and Hossersk; and these Consistories should further be petitioned to recommend the cause to the pastors of the flock of Christ, that on all occasions they may endeavour, as much as possible, to animate their people with a holy zeal for this work of God, undertaken to advance the glory of the Redeemer, and the eternal salvation of mankind. And as part of the Cossack troops are now on service in different countries; among whom, it may well be supposed, there are those, who, out of pious motives, would desire to take part in this work, so universally beneficial, and calculated to promote the salvation of souls, by becoming Members and Benefactors; therefore, the War Expedition should be requested to send copies of the above

named papers to every station where the Cossacks are on actual service. Respecting the number of copies of the Holy Scriptures needed, it may be taken for granted that it will be great, because the zeal of the Cossacks for reading the word of God is well known."

According to the register which we have already received from the Committee in Tscherkask, the number of Members and Benefactors is no less than 8140. Their subscriptions amount to upwards of 22000 rubles; of which sum they have sent 10000 to aid the funds of the Parent Society. They have requested 365 copies in the Slavonian, German, Calmuc, and Tartar languages, to commence with'; and are making preparations for opening a Depository.

LUTHER'S REFORMATION.

On the 31st of December, a very numerous meeting was held at the City of London Tavern, to celebrate the Tri-Centenary of the Reformation of Religion. More than 1500 persons were present, and among them a considerable portion of Ladies. The Duke of Sussex was called to the chair. 15 Resolutions were passed with acclamations.

1. Expressing the right of every man to worship God according to his conscience.-2. Declaring that Religion was not intended as an engine of state.-3. That the Scriptures as the only foundation of Religion ought to be accessible to all.-4. Against all authoritative expositions of Scripture.-5. Expressing that the violation of these principles caused multitudinous evils.-6. Censured the Romish prohibition of the Scriptures in ancient times to common people.7. Expressed a grateful remembrance of Wickliffe, Jerome, and Hess. -8. Avowed the object of the meeting to be the celebration of the Tri-centenial period of the Reformation of 1517.-9. Enumerated the political and social benefits that resulted from the Reformation.10. Ranked Luther and his associates as great among the greatest of mankind.-11. Commemorating Knox, Tyndale, Latimer, and other martyrs.-12. Expressing joy in the similar respect for the Reformation proclaimed in Germany.-13. Exhorting the European and American Protestants to guard the principles of the Reformation, now that Monastic Institutions and dangerous Societies were revived, and Inquisitions were continued or re-established.-14 and 15. Deprecated persecutions and uncharitableness.

Copy of a Letter from the Rev. Samuel Worcester, D. D. Cor. Sec. A. B. C. F. M. to Miss R. Rooker, Cor. Sec. of the Baltimore Female Mite Society, dated

SALEM, March 2, 1818. DEAR MADAM-I cannot refrain from expressing to you the very high satisfaction with which I have perused the "First Annual Report of the Baltimore Female Mite Society for the Education of Heathen Children in India." It breathes the genuine missionary spirit: the spirit which glowed in the first heralds of the cross, and from the hill of Zion extended the light of salvation into all lands. Let this

spirit pervade Christendom, and the darkness which covers the nations will be dispelled, and the children of all the families of the earth will be presented to the ONE SAVIOUR for his blessing, and be taught to lisp their infant hosannas to his name.

Long have female hands been employed in wreathing chaplets for warriors, and decking with laurel the brows of heroes and conquerors; long have female smiles and applauses inspired the love of glory, and cheered the field of battle and death. Happy day!-when these hands, these smiles, and these applauses, shall be consecrated to the cause of the PRINCE OF PEACE-shall devotedly aid in bringing the nations under his benign sceptre-shall cheer the soldiers of his banner in their toils, and conflicts, and sufferings, and animate only to deeds of unfading glory, and to the winning of imperishable crowns.

Illustrious examples indeed are not wanting. "Many women" followed the suffering Redeemer to the scene of his last agonies, and mingled their tears with his blood." Of the chief women not a few consorted with the Apostles," and dedicated their free-will offering, their active exertions, and their resistless influence, to the sacred work of spreading abroad the savour of his name. And how much the first missionary to the heathen, the benevolent, intrepid, and indefatigable Paul, was encouraged and animated by his female helpers, is evident from the affectionate and grateful manner in which he recorded their names, and acknowledged his obligations to them. In the immortal joys and honours of his achievements, they partici

pate.

The excellent spirit and the liberal charities of the ladies of Baltimore will impart fresh animation to the devoted and beloved missionaries in India. "Their own works shall praise them." Many "children," rescued from the pollutions of paganism and instructed for immortality, "shall rise up and call them blessed." They will not be forgotten in that day, when He whose hand is full of blessings for eternity, shall make up his jewels.

I tender, dear madam, to you, and through you to your worthy Society, the most affectionate and grateful salutations.

S. WORCESTER, Cor. Sec. A. B. C. F. M. Miss Rebecca Rooker, Sec. Balt. Fem. Mite Soc. &c.

1040

REVIVAL IN ITHACA, (N.-Y.)

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Wisner, to the Editor of the Boston Recorder, dated Ithaca, February 4, 1818.

Dear Sir, Though we have great reason to rejoice in the goodness of God to this congregation, yet perhaps the work has been less extensive than you have heard.

God in his holy providence sent me to take the charge of this congregation in the latter part of January, 1816. At that time religion and orality were both in a very low state. consisted of twenty members, nine males and eleven

The church females. Of

the nine males, five were corrupt in doctrine and practice, and have since been excommunicated. The religious instruction of children had been neglected, and I could not learn that there had ever been a religious conference in any part of the congregation. "The ways of Zion mourned," few came to her solemn feasts.

The people received me when I came among them in a manner that I hope I shall always remember with thankfulness to God and gratitude towards them. Every door of usefulness was opened to me by my congregation--the people seemed willing to hear as often as I was able to preach.

About the first of April, 1816, a special attention was discovered in the congregation, which has continued in a greater or less degree to the present time. During the last fall and fore part of the present winter the work has been more powerful than at any former period, and though it has now considerably declined, there are still a number inquiring what they shall do to be saved.

The work has not been accompanied with noise--it has been still and deep-it was evidently the Lord's work, and where he touched he generally broke the heart, and produced a repentance that (in the judgment of charity) "needeth not to be repented of." We have generally through the last year, had at least one conference or prayer meeting every evening in the week in some part of the congregation, and sometimes two or three.

We have received to the communion of this church since I came to this place, ninety persons, and a number who have hopes have not yet united with us.

It appears from the returns made to the Cayuga Presbytery, that there has been a good work in most of our churches during the last year. The report of hopeful converts for 1817, is as follows, viz:

Genoa 44; Lansing 60; Cayuga 20; Dryden 20; Skeneateles 14; Ludlowville 25; Aurelius 69; Mentz 9; Moscow 20; Camillus 25; Auburn 180.

You see, my dear brother, what God is doing for us in this part of the vineyard-pray for us, that we may not be left to grieve away his Holy Spirit. I am, dear brother, yours in the best of bonds. WM. WISNER.

1840

Slave Trade-By a decree of the king of Spain (which appears in the London papers) Spanish subjects are prohibited from trading in slaves on the coast of Africa, north of the line, under a penalty of transportation for ten years to the Philippine Islands--and restricts the duration of the trade south of the line, on the same coast, to two years and five months, from the date of the decree, which was December last.

A Society is proposed to be formed in the city of Philadelphia, to convene on Sabbath evenings for social prayer, reading the Scriptures, and a selection of religious discourses, by the most approved French divines, such as Massilon, Bossuet, Bordalouc, Saurin, Fe

nelon, Geofroy, Pictel, Du Boc, &c. The exercises are intended to be conducted in the French language, and the discourses which shall be read published. The individuals or families who shall constitute the Society are to pay $15 per annum, and be entitled to a copy of the discourses. M. Chazotte has undertaken to be the reader in this Society. [Religious Remem.

ALLEGORY.

Letter from a Christian passenger, on board the Good Hope, to a near relative on land.

My dear Friend,

The friendship which has long subsisted between us, and the kind concern you have manifested for my welfare, lead me to conclude, that you will be glad to be informed of the reasons which induced me (naturally averse as I was to the course I have adopted) to leave my native country, and undertake a perilous voyage on the deep waters, to a foreign land.

You well know my base conduct after I left my father's house. Released from parental restraints, I determined to take my fill of the pleasures of life, and accordingly gave myself up to whatever my inclination led me. But the expense which attended this course, soon reduced me to beggary and extreme want. In the midst of my distress, still the pride of my heart continued; which prevented my making known my sad situation to my father. Thus sinking under the pressure of misery, I wandered from place to place, till I reached the town of Desperation, where I was taken dangerously ill. Not knowing any who would relieve me, I sunk into despair; and I actually formed the desperate resolution of ridding the world of a wretch unfit to live. It is not in my power to describe, nor in yours to conceive, the horror of mind I endured. I dreaded either to reflect on the past, or to anticipate the future: every thing was dark, gloomy, and terribly alarming. Just at this period I met with a person, whose name is Evangelicus, who hearing my complaint, and feeling for me in my distressed situation,kindly asked the cause of my trouble. I frankly told him how foolishly I had acted, and confessed that my misery was just, as it was the necessary consequence of my own wickedness. He asked me what I thought of doing, and how I expected to find relief: replied, "I have no hope of obtaining help from any quarter; my condition is hopeless, and I am resolved to bring my misery to an end, by destroying my life." He then appeared greatly concerned for me, and began to reason with me on the desperate wickedness of such an act, and said, with great earnestness," Do thyself no harm." He also declared, in the most solemn manner," that no murderer had eternal life." Moreover, said he, by this rash act you will only increase your misery, and place yourself in a circumstance from whence it will be impossible you should be extricated. I told him, I conceived my present state was of such a description, that I had not the least hope of ever being relieved. He then began to encourage me, and observed, that, sad as my condition was, yet there was no room for despair: it is possible, said he, that you may obtain complete deliverance from your misery. The intimation of a possibility of happiness caught my ear, and I

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