every possible way to thwart the operations of the Missionaries. On this occasion, he felt highly indignant at the challenge of the Native Missionary: and went to his temple with a resolution to examine their books for proofs to contradict him, and continued his search for two years in vain. About this time, he went to a village in the Galle District, to meet the High Priest of Kandy, who had come down to perform some great ceremony on an important occasion. Here he met with another Missionary, who presented him with a copy of the New Testament in Cingalese this he took to his temple, and read; but it was four years before the pride of his heart would allow him to divulge the struggle that was going on in his mind. The rank which he held in the priesthood (being now second in the island), the high reputation for learn ing and acquaintance with their religion, and his influence among the people, were circumstances which induced him long to resist that light and conviction which the reading of the Scriptures had conveyed to his mind. He ventured, however, at length to go to our Missionary, Mr. Salmon, and make a complete disclosure of all the workings of his mind: but, on repeating his visits, the thing was soon discovered, and an alarm raised; and he was compelled to fly from his temple, and take refuge in the house of the Missionary. As his intentions remained no longer a secret, every means was used to frustrate his design of becoming a Christian. The Priests wrote a Letter to him, which was signed by them all, stating the disgrace that would befal them all if he became a Christian-that were such a calamity to happen, their religion would receive an incurable wound, and the Priests would be exposed to the contempt and ridicule of the populace: to this he paid no regard. A second document then came from them, making him an offer of certain temples and emoluments, provided he would abandon the idea of becoming a Christian: this produced no effect; when a third came, in which they declared, that if he became a Christian, they would, by some means or other, deprive him of life. This, at first, rather startled him; but, on advising with the Missionary, he resolved to be firm to his purpose, and soon gave them a public proof of it, running all hazards of the consequences. After remaining some time learning the way of the Lord more perfectly from the Missionaries, he became the subject of still more important convic tions than those that affect the mind and judgment; namely, convictions of his sinfulness, and need of a Saviour to pardon. Being thus prepared, the Missionaries thought him a fit subject for Christian Baptism. It happened to be the time for preaching the Mission Anniversary-Sermons for that Station: on these occasions, large crowds of natives come together; and it is usual for all the Native Chiefs, Headmen, and principal native inhabitants, to be present: this, therefore, was the time which he chose, that he might have an opportu nity of witnessing a more public confession of the Name of Jesus. In order that no tumult might take place before the congregation had assembled, his intended baptism was kept a profound secret: one of the largest and most re spectable congregations assembled that had ever been seen in the place; when, after the Liturgy had been read, the Priest advanced toward the font at the upper end of the Church, in the pre sence of the people, disrobed of his priestly garment. Mr. Sutherland then asked a few appropriate questions, to which he gave very satisfactory answers: after which, he stood forward, and addressed himself to the congregation, giving, in detail, his reasons for renounc ing Budduhism and the priesthood, and for embracing Christianity. As may be expected, this produced a wonderful effect; for it is well known that the greater part of the people already referred to, although Nominal Christians, are yet Budduhists in their hearts, and rigid supporters of that religion. Many of them, however, not only were af fected by this unexpected event, but approved it; and one of them, after the whole was over, came to the Missionary, and requested that the King of England might be informed of it. The conversion of this man is so glorious an event, that it rewards us more than a thousand-fold for all the toils which we have had in translating and publishing the Scriptures in Cingalese. Awakening of another Budduhist Priest. Mr. Clough adds But the good effects of distributing the Scriptures do not rest for proof on a solitary case. I could multiply instances that have come under my own ob servation; and I am thankful to say remote from all Missionary Stations: no that my colleagues and coadjutors are Philip was sent to this Ethiopian: he witnessing the same. I will refer to was afraid to quit his temple in search another case, equally, if not more striking of instruction; lest, being discovered, than the former; for, in this instance, he should thereby bring upon himself the Word of God, and that alone, led to persecution, with the loss of all worldly the change. About a month ago, a very good. He continued in this conflicting interesting Priest was introduced to me: state of mind for several years: when, we were perfect strangers to each other, at length, he received the invitation to and this brought an apology for his Colombo, to perform the ceremony alabruptness in calling on me. I first ready mentioned; which he immediately made inquiry respecting his residence &c. accepted, with the hope that his journey and found that he came from a place would bring him in the way of some about 60 miles from Colombo, quite Christian Teacher. When he had araway from all Missionary Stations. His rived within two miles of Colombo, one errand to Colombo was, he told me, to of our Schoolmasters met him on the perform, by special request and invita- high road, and put a slip of paper into tion from the inhabitants, a ceremony his hand: we print such slips of paper, which is called "Wasalakirima"; which containing a passage of Scripture, or some is one of great importance, and requires short sentence or paragraph, that, when about three months to perform it: but, our pious natives go along the road, they from his manner of conversation, I could may give them to travellers, but chiefly evidently perceive that there was someto those who are on their way to "poothing working on his mind which he java" (worship) at the temples. The wished to divulge. While in conversa- one put into the hand of this Priest was tion, he received a message from his en- intitled "News from Heaven;" and the tertainers; but he requested permission passage under it, God so loved the world, to visit me again. He came according that He gave His only-begotten Son &c. On to appointment: and, as it would tire reading this, his heart began to beat, and you to hear the whole disclosure of this he asked the Schoolmaster who published interesting character, I will give you it: the Schoolmaster replied, "The Mimerely the substance of it. Some years nister, Mr. Clough.' 99 The Priest asked ago, he met with a copy of the New to be directed to me. Hence our first Testament in Cingalese; and, knowing it interview, as above mentioned. In to be some part of the Christians' Sacred short, you will rejoice to hear that he Books,and the style of it such as he greatly has already thrown off his robes, having relished, curiosity prompted him to take publicly renounced the priesthood: the it with him to his temple, for the purpose three months' ceremony which he came of giving it a careful private reading: to perform is abandoned; and this inthe perusal of this book so filled his telligent man is now a candidate for mind with light, that he soon discovered Christian Baptism! He is, I am happy to the glorious superiority of the Chris- say, under the instruction of my esteemed tian System over his own: the more friend and coadjutor in the Translating he read, the more he became convinced Room, Mr. Chater, the Baptist Missioof its truth, and alarmed at his own si- nary; and I doubt not but he will do tuation. But, in this state of mind, he well, and prove a valuable auxiliary to had no one to fly to for direction, being us in our important labours. Recent Miscellaneous Entelligence. UNITED KINGDOM. Baptist Miss. Soc.-Mr. Evans (see p. 116) has visited home, for the benefit of his health and that of his wife. Captain Rogers, commanding a vessel regularly trading between Sumatra and Europe, liberally granted a free passage. Mr. Ward, from Bencoolen, was to take Mr. Evans's place at Padang. They left Padang on the 29th of September, and arrived on the coast of Ireland on the 25th of January. Mr. Evans writes- Previous to my leaving Padang, the Heads of Orces had manifested a most favourable dispo. sition toward the objects of the Mission, and the prejudices of the Natives had in some measure died away. So far, indeed, had all difficulties vanished, that several private meetings had been convened by the Resident, for the purpose of concerting measures to establish a Native School Institution, on the most liberal plan. British and For. School Soc.-Mr. Henry Dunn, after being duly qualified in the British System, sailed, in February, for Honduras, on his way to Guatimala. He was furnished with letters of Introduction by M. Zebadua, the representative of that State in this country. Messrs. Angas and Co. liberally granted a free passage to Mr. and Mrs. Dunn. Church Miss. Soc.-The Rev. John Raban's state of health (see pp. 10, 11) requiring his return home from Sierra Leone, he embarked at Freetown on the 13th of January, in the Richard Sands, Captain Owens, and landed at Chatham on the 10th of March, much recovered during his voyage. He was accompanied by Henry Palmer, a Liberated African Youth, of about 16 years of age-This Youth and Joseph Bartholomew, another African Youth who had previously arrived, have been placed at Brixham, in Devonshire, in order to their being prepared to act as Catechists and Schoolmasters in the Colony: they are under the care of the Rev. H. F. Lyte, and it is hoped that they will have their health in that part of the kingdom-The Rev. G. S. Faught, with Mrs. Faught and Miss Stratford, for Ceylon, and the Rev. Thomas Norton, with Mrs. Norton and his two Sons, for Allepie, (see p. 181), embarked at Gravesend, on the 9th of April, on board the George, Captain Fulcher. Mr. Norton has made strong representations of the miserable state of the people among whom he has laboured, and of the good prospect with which children of both sexes might be maintained and educated: the sum of Five Pounds per annum will cover the chief part of the expense of each child: the Committee will thankfully receive Annual Contributions, of this amount, to be appropriated to this object-The Rev. Joseph Fenn, with Mrs. Fenn and their six Children, embarked at Tellicherry, on a visit home for the restoration of health, on the 24th of November, in the Boyne, Captain Miller, and landed at Portsmouth on the 12th Yoxall and Hamstall Yardley, Worcestershire 7697 1 2 - 150 0 0. 2599 13 6 298.5 0. 1209 7 7 150 00 4391 14 1 40° 09- 894 8 1 94 16 1- 1503 10 6 85 0 0 85 0 0 2920 6 3 38 17 11 68 00 90 15 11- 191 8 9 15 7 9- 131 7 11 · 25 0 0- 330 11 6 800 16 15 11 15 9 4 36 5 11 539 66 76 2 16 0 7 14 0 to 795 8 9 661 11 4 2347 4 1 86 3 0 21175 - 100 0 0- S17 12 6 The Committee of the Church Missionary Society return their acknowledgments for Packets of Clothing, and Sundry Fancy Articles, received through the British Ladies' Church Missionary Maternal Society-to Miss Dusautoy, Taunton; Mrs. Dowson and Miss Hall's Ladies' School, Folkingham, Lincolnshire; Lady at Manchester; Mrs. J. Jowett, Great Queen Street; Miss Bowlby, Durham ; Miss J. Walpole, Mrs. Samuel Paynter, Hatford Rectory: Miss Godde, Kensington. Ladies at Blackheath; a Drawing from a Young Lady in Devonshire; and Anonymous, by Mrs, Williams. MAY, 1827. Biography. MEMOIR OF BR. JOHN GOTTFRIED HAENSEL, (ONE OF THE MISSIONARIES, IN THE EAST AND WEST INDIES, OF THE UNITED BRETHREN) WHO DIED, AT ST. THOMAS, FEB. 17, 1814, IN HIS SIXTY-FIFTH YEAR. BROTHER HAENSEL was employed eighteen years in the Mission attempted by the Brethren at Tranquebar and the Nicobar Islands; and, afterward, eighteen years more in the Danish West-Indies. The following narrative is extracted from the manuscripts of Br. Haensel. I was born November 8, 1749, in the free borough of Weyffa, in the Circle of Meissen, in Saxony. My parents in structed me in every thing profitable for me, and spared no pains to preserve me from the society and seductions of a vain and wicked world. They were both religious, and taught me many passages of the Bible, and several excellent hymns, treating of our Saviour, and of what He has done and suffered to redeem lost man. They also prayed frequently with their children; and my mother encouraged me in early infancy to place my whole confidence in God, and on every occasion to pray to Him to give me what I wanted for the good of my soul: I followed her advice in simplicity; and felt such trust in God, that prayer was a pleasure to mc, even when a little child. The admonitions of my parents, and particularly their fervent prayers for the salvation of their children, which I frequently overheard, made a deep impression on my heart, and I shall never forget them. I was soon sent to school, learnt my lessons with ease; and, in general, spent the early part of my youth very comfortably and happily: but, being of a cheerful and volatile disposition, I frequently, though unintentionally, offended my parents, and thereby incurred their censure: at such times I had no comfort, till I felt their forgiveness and returning favour; for I loved them greatly, nor did any thing cost me more trouble and tears, than if I was ever called by them a disobedient child. When I was eight years old, my dear father departed this life, in reliance on May, 1827. the merits of our Saviour. His paternal blessing and farewell with his children are still fresh in my recollection: addressing ME, he observed, that I must never for. get that my parents had devoted me to my Saviour from my birth, and therefore I must remain faithful to Him, and not refuse His teaching: I should then experience, that He was true and faithful, and would lead me in the right way. My father then made me give him my right-hand, and promise, that I would give myself up to the Lord Jesus, as His property, which I did with many tears; shortly after which he departed this life. Our parents were poor; and, after my father's death, we became still poorer, especially in the early part of the Seven Years' War: we were three in number, I being the oldest child: but our Heavenly Father cared for us, and gave us needful food; so that we never went to bed hungry, or became burdensome to others. My mother was much concerned for our salvation, and wished to bring us into closer fellowship with the Brethren: for this purpose she sold our house and farm at Weyffa, and moved to Neukirch, where we might uninterruptedly enjoy the fellowship and care of the Brethren. The Minister of the parish, the late Rev. Mr. Reichel, received us most cor. dially: he shewed paternal kindness toward me; inviting me often to visit him, and calling frequently upon us, when he gave me much excellent advice. In 1763, I attended his instruction, preparatory to Confirmation and the participa tion of the Holy Communion: this was a season of great blessing to my soul; and I experienced much of the love of 2 G |