stories, which I made myself, to cause laughter among my companions. I thought myself one of the best fellows on earth. But now I find myself to be very sinful. I wonder that God has not before this sent me to hell. Frequently when I have been at masthead and been plagued with the sails, I have wished that the mast would break, and carry me overboard. Last summer I fell from the mast-head to the deck. When I recovered my senses I wondered that God had not taken away my life, as I had so often desired him to do. I thought no more of it then, but I think much of it now. I view myself to be the worst sinner on earth. I hope God will have mercy on me."

On Friday afternoon brother Wheelock spent a considerable time conversing and praying with the sailors. He observed that there was a general solemnity on their minds. He and Mr C. both visited them in the evening. When they returned, they remarked, that the scenes which they had witnessed were calculated to melt the hardest heart. Those who but a few days ago were living in opposition to God, and profaning his sacred name, were now falling upon their knees, and appeared greatly distressed on account of their past transgressions. One person, who six days ago did not believe there was a God, or a devil, a heaven, or a hell, and made a ridicule of divine things, was now pierced to the heart, and anxiously. inquired, "what must I do to be saved?" Another put his hand upon his breast, and exclaimed, "What a load of guilt is here!" Indeed the cry for mercy was general.

After leaving the sailors they met Mr.

* and conversed

with him. He was much affected, and observed that he frequently thought upon the subject of religion. He is a young man of excellent morals, and possesses an amiable disposition. We long to have him become a Christian.

Oh mamma, I wish that it was in my power to give you an adequate description of our felicity. We cannot be otherwise than overwhelmed with gratitude while recollecting the Lord's goodness towards us. Previous to the display of mercy which I have mentioned, we felt, I humbly trust, ardent desires for the conversion of those around us. But we almost despaired of seeing these desires gratified. Nay, we had no idea of witnessing such glorious displays of divine grace. But in every age the Lord has proved himself to be a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God. We have now found him to be such by happy experience. Well do I recollect the wish of our dear friends in America: "May all the ship's company be given you." No doubt their prayers have since frequently mingled with ours, around the throne of grace, in pleading for the salvation of the precious souls in this ship. Our united petitions have, I believe, ascended to God like a cloud of incense, and now we are receiving gracious answers.

As I was walking on deck this morning, I observed to Mr. C. that it appeared like a new place. No noise was heard from the sailors;

* One of the officers of the ship.

but their solemn countenances indicated their inward distress. Down the cheeks of one of them the tears of godly sorrow profusely flowed. He looked like the picture of despair.

Sabbath Evening, Feb. 22.-This has, indeed, been a day of rest to my soul. I have not spent so happy a Sabbath since I lost sight of my dear native land. Fain would I deseribe the interesting season to mamma: but "thought is poor, and poor expression." In the morning had a pleasant meeting in our apartment. We sat together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. For a while I lost sight of the world and all its dazzling beauties. My soul mounted towards heaven as on eagles wings, and held, as I humbly trust, sweet converse with its Saviour and its God.

In the afternoon Mr. C. delivered a discourse on deck from John iii. 16. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, &c." The sailors appeared to receive the word both willingly and joyfully. The pleasure which beamed from the countenances of the regenerated, and the tears which flowed from the broken hearted, filled me with the most solemn and grateful emotions. I could not but exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" Every thing around wore a new and delightful aspect. With the spacious firmament for my only covering, and the unfathomable deep below and all around me, I was as happy as I could have been on the solid ground, encircled with the dear people of God in his earthly courts. What an interesting scene is now passing before our eyes! It fills me with joy, and causes me at times to forget my native land and my beloved friends. I rejoice that ever I was permitted to leave them for the cause of Jesus. The mercy with which we are now indulged is a rich compensation for all my former trials. May this be the beginning of good days. May we see thousands of poor Pagans renouncing their idols, and turning to the Lord.

Wednesday, February 25. Met this afternoon for social worship. Some interesting remarks were made from the 5th chapter of James. Had some pleasing conversation respecting the recent displays of divine mercy among the sailors. I will assure you, mamma, that what we have lately witnessed animates our souls, and gives a new zest to our meetings. Since I last wrote another person has become a hopeful convert.

Friday, February 27. How great is the goodness of the Lord! His mercies are new every morning and fresh every evening. I have the pleasing satisfaction to record another instance of conversion on board. The Swede, whom Mr. Colman instructs, bas, several weeks past, expressed a deep solicitude for the welfare of his soul. Within a few days his distress has been very great; but last evening he was delivered from it while reading the 9th chapter of John. Mr. C. instructed him this afternoon as usual. He also conversed with him respecting the happy change which he had lately experienced. He spoke much about the Saviour. A belief in him is evidently the foundation of his hope. This morning as I walked

on deck I saw him at the helm. His looks bore testimony that a happy change had taken place in his feelings. The other day he looked as though sorrow was his chief companion, but now the smile of joy illumined his countenance.

ENGLISH BAPTIST MISSION.

Extract of a Letter from Rev. John Lawson.

MY DEAR BROTHER SHARP,

Calcutta, May 12, 1818.

The arrival of the ship Independence from America, with our dear brethren Wheelock and Colman, gave us much pleasure. Their labours, during their voyage, have been remarkably blessed to a number on board the ship. The particulars you will learn from them; but according to all accounts, a very deep work has been wrought on the minds of many of the sailors; and a revival-a general and solid awakening amongst men so notorious for wickedness as poor seamen generally are, is perhaps an unprecedented thing in the history of reformations. I think it is altogether new in the history of Missionary voyages. Too much cannot be said of the christian friendship of Mr. Titcomb, the supercargo, and the politeness and steady countenance of Captain Bangs. Had they opposed (as is the case with too many) any attempt of their passengers to evangelize a dissolute crew, we might never have heard of this revival at sea. From this event we see how much good may be done to souls when the captain and supercargo of a vessel concur with the wishes of their Missionary passengers. What peace and comfort are introduced on board the happy vessel! What drunkenness and swearing are prevented! how are the tedious hours of a long voyage beguiled, and health and sobriety promoted! for instead of seeing this crew rolling about in the gutters of Calcutta, exposed to sun and rain, in a state of intoxication, we had the pleasure of seeing nearly all of them at worship the first Sabbath after their arrival, dressed as neat and as clean as we could wish; and fresh health and peace depicted as strongly as possible on their weather-beaten faces.

I recollect during our voyage from England to New-York, the captain used often to swear, at table, that if any Methodist (for by this name he designated all religious people) should attempt any thing like preaching on board his vessel he would immediately heave him overboard. But I would fain hope that the world is improving, and that Missionaries will at length be so common that they will no longer be stared at as outlandish animals, nor feared as the monsters who turn the world upside down.

Brother Colman has just called, and informs me they have engaged with a captain for a passage to Rangoon. Farewell, dear bro ther, may you prosper still more in your work. Ever yours, JOHN LAWSON.

:

JOURNEY IN BENGAL. ·

From the Boston Recorder.

Extracts from a letter written by an American Lady, giving an account of a tour up the Hoogly River, a branch of the Ganges in Bengal, in the months of November and December, 1817.

Nov. 29th. We came to anchor last night off the Park at Serampore which we this morning visited.

Having sent our compliments to the Missionaries here established, begging permission to pay our respects to them, and to view their extensive works, we were politely invited to call at our leisure. Dr. Cary was good enough to show us the printing establishment, type manufactory, &c. and their various schools and collection of natural curiosities; but what particularly engaged our attention, was a room, in which thirty learned Pundits, from as many different nations, were employed in translating the Sacred Scriptures into the language of their respective countries. Here were Arabs, Tartars, Hindoos, Malabars, Malays, Javanese, Cochin Chinese, Sheiks, Mahrattas, Persians, and others-" men from every nation under Heaven," contributing towards the circulation of the holy word of God.

The person most interesting to us was an Affgan, who, though a professor of Islaimisin, proclaimed himself to be a son of Israel, one of the ten tribes. Dr. Cary informed us that he certainly was a lineal descendant of Abraham, and belonging to one of the lost ten tribes, who now inhabit the country of the Afgan Tartars. He says they were among the first who embraced the faith of Mahomet, and continue among his followers, though closely adhering to their title of children of Israel.

This man was of middle stature, his complexion rather lighter than the generality of Hindoos; nearly the colour of a light mulatto. He wore mustachios, and a long beard, and was very decorous and grave in his manners. Though we viewed the whole group with the deepest interest, as you will easily imagine, seeing so many men of learning, collected from among nations whose names are scarcely familiar to us, all engaged in so important an undertaking, and one which has for its tendency to undermine and destroy the superstitions and idolatries which they themselves would probably suffer death in support of. Yet the appearance of this man in particular attracted our notice. Nothing can be more interesting to the reader and believer of the Old Testament, than the history of the origin, progress, and decay of the children of Israel. The Jews are, perhaps, the most striking feature in the pages of history, divine or profane; and next to them are their brethren of the ten tribes, who have so long been in oblivion, and whose situation is yet so little known..

We inquired of Dr. Cary if this was one of the people described by Dr. Buchanan, in his Researches? He replied that he was not, but was wholly distinct both in country and religion. To have seen therefore a member of this extraordinary family, so dispersed, and almost hidden as was supposed; as well as seeing him

engaged in the holy work, the effects of which may be so full of blessing to his countrymen, we view in the light of a privilege, and with much satisfaction. The manner in which these Pundits are employed is this: Each takes a translation of the Scriptures already made, in whatever language he best understands, which he converts into that of his own nation; this is examined several times by Dr. Cary and others, his coadjutors, who are capable of making corrections. These books, when printed, are distributed among the popu lace, by means of schools, the teachers of which are glad to receive them as the means of enabling their pupils to read; who, in return, are obliged to copy the work they are reading, and thus obtain ideas and information of which their teachers are ignorant. Dr. Cary introduced us to Mr. Marshman, who was busy at the head of an extensive school, teaching boys the common radi nents in English, for which he told us he was paid. Nothing can be more simple, unaffected, and open, than the appearance of these worthy and pious gentlemen, whose laudable and great exertions, I have no doubt will have the desired success. They told us that the actual number of converts within the pale of their mission did not exceed 500, and they have been engaged in this work 24 years. They expressed their belief that the distinction of casts was no greater impediment to the success of their labours than the general depravity of human nature, and their inclination to wickedness, which the easy faith that most of the nations of the east professed, was a cover for. We asked them if they considered the early education of youth as their great auxiliary? They answered, that preaching, disseminating the Bible, and education in the knowledge of God, were all equally efficacious and proper; and that they accordingly exerted themselves alike in each. They have no connexion whatever with any other similar establishment; except of good fellowship. They spoke of the Missionaries from America with esteem and respect.

I inquired about Abdool, of whom so much has been said: and I was informed that he was originally a Mussulman (not a Bramin) living at Agra, belonging to the Church of England Mission; and they hoped he was a good man. Their disbursements at Serampore, they told us, were about $5000 monthly, which were derived from various funds, contributions, and the profits of their own labours. In admiring the zeal of these excellent men, we were led to admire their great modesty also, in stating that their progress was, at present, extremely slow and confined; though attended with great labour and exertion. We left them, obliged by their politeness in gratifying our curiosity, and wishing them the full

est success.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.

New-York, February 25, 1819. Dear Sir-I have to request the favour of you, in behalf of the Society of the United Brethren for propagating the gospel among the