mind and judgment; namely, convictions of his sinfulness, and need of a Saviour to pardon.

But the good effects of distributing the Scriptures, do not rest for proof on an individual solitary case. I could multiply instances that come under my own observation, and I am thankful to say, my colleagues and coadjutors are witnessing the same. I will detain you a moment till I just refer to another case equally, if not more striking than the former; for in this instance, the word of God, and that alone, led to the change. About a month ago, a very inter

was going on in his mind. The rank he held in the priesthood, being now second in the island, the high reputation he bore for his The conversion of this man is learning and acquaintance with so impressive an event, that it their religion, and the influence he more than a thousand fold rehad among the people, were cir- wards us for all the toils we have cumstances which induced him so had in translating and publong to resist that light and con-lishing the Scriptures in Singhaviction which the reading of the lese. Scriptures had conveyed to his mind. He ventured, however, at length, to go to our missionary, Mr. Lalmon, and make a complete disclosure of all the workings of his mind. But repeating his visits, the thing was soon discovered, and the alarm soon raised. This being the case, he was compelled to fly from the temple, and take refuge in the house of the missionary. His intentions no longer remained a secret; and every means were used to frustrate his designs of becoming a Chris-esting looking priest as I ever tian. The priests wrote a letter saw, was introduced to me at my to him, which was signed by them house here in Colombo; we were all, stating the disgrace that would perfect strangers to each other, befall them all, if he became a and this drew an apology from Christian; that were such a ca- him, for his abruptness in calling lamity to happen, their religion on me. I first made a few inquirwould receive an incurable ies as to his residence, &c., and wound; and the priests be expos- found he came from a place about ed to the contempt and ridicule of sixty miles from Colombo, quite the populace. To this he paid no away from all missionary stations. regard. A second document then His errand to Colombo was, he came from them, making him an told me, to perform, by special offer of certain temples and emol- request and invitation from the uments, provided he would aban- inhabitants, a ceremony which is don the idea of becoming a Chris-called Wasalakirima, which is one tian. This produced no effect, of great importance; and requires when a third came, in which they about three months to complete. declared that, if he became a But from his manner of conversaChristian, they would, by some tion, I could evidently perceive means or other, take his life. there was something working in his This rather startled him at first, mind, which he wished to divulge. but, on advising with the mission- However, while in conversation, he ary, he resolved to be firm to his received a message from his enterpurposes, and run all hazards of tainers, to go immediately to the the consequences. After remain- spot, so we parted but he reing some time learning the way of quested permission to visit me the Lord more perfectly from the again. This I of course readily missionaries, he became the sub-granted; and he came according ject of still more important con- to his appointment. Now it would victions than those that effect the tire you to hear the whole detail of

and he asked the schoolmaster,
Who published this? The school-
master replied, "The minister Mr.

The priest asked,

Could you direct me to him? This
was done, and this was our first

already mentioned.

But to be short, you will, I am
sure, rejoice to hear he has already
thrown off his robes; and has re-
nounced publickly the priesthood.
The three months' ceremony
which he came to perform is aban-
doned, and this interesting and
intelligent man is now a candidate
for Christian baptism. He is, I
am happy to say, now under the
instructions of my esteemed friend
and coadjutor in the translating
room, Mr. Chater, the Baptist
missionary; and I doubt not he
will do well, and prove a valua-
ble auxiliary to us in our impor-
tant labours.

this interesting character's disclo-
sure, but I will give you the sub-
stance. Some years ago, he met
with a copy of the New Testa-Clough."
ment in Singhalese, and knowing
it to be a part of our sacred book,
and approving the style of it, cu-interview
riosity prompted him to take it
with him to his temple, for the
purpose of giving it a careful pri-
vate reading. The perusal of this
book so filled his mind with light,
that he soon discovered the glori-
ous superiority of the Christian
system over that of his own. The
more he read, the more he became
convinced of its truth, and alarm-
ed at his own situation. But in
this state of mind he had no one to
fly to for direction, being remote
from all missionary stations. No
Philip was sent to this Ethiopian.
He was afraid to quit his temple
in search of instruction, lest,
being discovered, he should there-
by bring persecution upon himself,
with the loss of all worldly good.
He therefore continued in this con-
flicting state of mind, as you will
perceive, for several years.
Tength he received the invitation
to Colombo, to perform the cere-
mony which I have already men-
tioned, and immediately accepted
it, with the hope that his journey
would bring him in the way of some
Christian teacher. When he had
arrived within two miles of Colom-
bo, one of our schoolmasters met
him on the high road, and put a
slip of paper into his hand. These
slips of paper, containing a passage
of scripture, or some short sen-
tence or paragraph, we print, that,
when our pious natives go along
the road, they may give them to
travellers; but chiefly those who
are on the way to Porjava at the
temple. The one put into the
hand of the priest was entitled,
"News from Heaven," and the
passage under it, "God so loved
the world, that he gave his only Perhaps at no period of the So-
begotten Son," &c. &c. On read-ciety's history, since the sailing
ing this, his heart began to beat, of the ship Duff, have the Direc

At

MORE MISSIONARIES TO THE
HEATHEN.

On the 21st of March last, Rev. F. G. Kayser and wife embarked, as Missionaries to the London Missionary Society, for the Cape of Good Hope; on the 26th, Rev. H. Nott and his companions for the Society Islands; on the 4th of April, Rev. J. J. Freeman and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Canham, for Madagascar; on the 10th, Rev. C. Thompson and wife, and Mr. W. B. Addis, for Quilon Rev. W. Miller and wife, for Nagracoil, India; on the 11th, Rev. W. Reeve and family, and Rev. S. Dyer and wife, for Singapore; Rev. R. Jennings and wife, for Chittoor; Rev. H. Crisp and wife for Cuddapah, and Miss Newell, for Madras. In reference to those numerous departures, the Directors say,

!

GERMAN MISSIONS.

tors ever sent out so many labour- || place them in Beuggen, (a pious ers together within a month, institution near Basle, for the edthirty-one persons, including fam-ucation of poor children and ilies, have launched forth upon Schoolmasters,) to be educated, the deep, destined to far distant that they may become, by the shores. These numerous embark-grace of our Saviour, pious teachations, while they have produced ers of their own people. Two a very extensive outlay, evince Missionaries of the German Misthe disposition of the Directors sionary Society, Messrs. Kildner not to slacken their hands in the and Major, have set off from Animportant cause in which the Soci-cona to Corfu. [Ibid. ety has embarked; but to go forward, relying on the co-operation of its numerous friends, and, above all, on the effectual blessing of Him who has said, The silve and the gold are mine, and whose The London Missionary Regisalso is the greatness, and the pow- ter contains the following exer, and the glory, and the victory.tracts from a letter dated Basle, On behalf of this numerous band, March 3d. we entreat the prayers of the "Our Society will begin, this members and friends of the Soci- spring, a mission to Western Afety; that they may all arrive in rica, with six brethren, at two difsafety, and be made lasting bless-ferent places. One of these will ings to them who are now ready be the Gold Coast, in the colony to perish. of the king of Denmark; his maOn the 28th of May, the Com-jesty readily gave permission for mittee of the Church Missionary that purpose, and that even withSociety dismissed the following out any limitation, except the Missionaries to their respective stations, viz. Rev. Thomas Davey and wife, on their return to the West Africa Mission; Rev. C. L. Korck, M. D. for the Mediterranean; Rev. J. Latham and wife, for North India; Rev. P. P. Schaffter, for South India, and Miss Anna Maria Bailey, for New Zealand.

[Lond. Miss. Reg.

sole condition, that the missionaries sent thither should understand the system of Mutual Instruction. The other station will be in the American colony of Liberia, at Cape Mesurado, below Sierra Leone: our committee received letters from thence, so very inviting and encouraging, to undertake a mission there, that they resolved to send thither three brethren-Messrs. Handt, Jessing, and Hegete; who will spend some months, if possible, in England, with Mr. Cunningham, in order to perfect their A new Missionary Society for knowledge of the English lanGreece has been formed at Basle.guage; and will depart next auand is going on prosperously. The tumn, for Liberia, to preach the Committee have purchased the salvation of Christ to those nefreedom of twelve Greek boys groes who earnestly pray for from the Russians, and intend to teachers."

MISSIONARY SOCIETY FOR GREECE.

MISCELLANEOUS DEPARTMENT.

METHOD OF FORMING AN ABSTRACT OF THE DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE.

Concluded from page 292.

The next great inquiry will be, What do the scriptures say concerning man?

66

By one man, sin entered into the world, and death by sin." "By the offence of one, judgment I. What do they say concern- came upon all men to condemnaing his primeval state? Lo, tion," "By one man's disobethis only have I found, that God dience, many were made sinners.” hath made man upright." ... And "And God saw that the wickedGod said, Come, let us make man ness of man was great in the earth, in our own image, after our like- and that every imagination of the "So God created man in thoughts of his heart was only his own image; in the image of evil continually." "They are God created he him." "And the all gone aside, they are all togethinspiration of the Almighty givether become filthy; there is none them understanding." who doeth good, no, not one. The soul that sinneth, it shall die." The triumphing of the wicked is short."

ness.

66

Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour" (Eccl vii. 29-Gen. i. 26, 27-Job xxxii. 8-Psl. viii. 5.) From these passages, we obtain these scriptural sentiments, viz. Man was originally created in the moral im-age and likeness of God; possessing perfect rectitude and holiness of heart; and crowned with glory and honour. Of course, the following may be received as a doctrine of the Bible, víz. Man, in his original state, was a holy, happy, and glorious creature.

II. Did man continue in the state in which he was created ? Listen to the voice of inspiration. "Man being in honour, abideth But they have sought

not."

out many inventions." The
Lord God commanded the man,
saying, of every tree of the garden
thou mayest freely eat, but of the
tree of knowledge of good and
evil, thou shalt not eat of it, for
in the day thou eatest thereof thou
shalt surely die. The woman took
of the fruit thereof, and did eat,
and gave also unto her husband
with her, and he did eat."
crown is fallen from our head:
wo unto us that we have sinned."

66

66

Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver." How oft is the candle of the wicked put out? and how oft cometh their destruction upon them ?" "It is a fear

66

ful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." "Upon the wicked, he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest:""This shall be the portion of their cup. Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to ever|| lasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 99 " Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings ?" "Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong in the day that I shall deal with thee? I the Lord have spoken it, and will do it." (Psl. xlix. 12-Eccl. vii. 29

Gen. ii. 16, 17-and iii. 6— Lam. v. 16-Rom. v. 12, 18, 19 "The-Gen. vi. 5-Psl. xiv. 3-Eze.

xviii. 4, 20-Job xx. 5-Psl. I. 22 -Job. xxi. 17-Heb. x. 31-Psl.

xi. 6-Dan. xii. 2-Isa. xxxiii, 14-Rom. xiv. 12-Eze. xxii. 14.) These passages taken together contain an account of man's apostacy, and of its sad effects and woful consequences; and from them may be deduced these sentiments, viz. Man has apostatized from God, incurred the displeasure of heaven, involved himself in a labyrinth of sin, and misery, and condemnation: and, consequently, exposed himself to the wrath of Almighty God, and to the penalty and curse of the divine law for

ever.

This being the lamentable condition, into which the Scriptures represent man as having fallen by his iniquity, it becomes proper for the theologian to inquire,

III. Do the Scriptures give any intimations concerning a way of escape, or hope, or recovery, for rebellious man?

Listen!" And the Lord passed by and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty." "And I looked, and there was none to help, therefore mine own arm brought salvation." "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor." "Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom. 99 "I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people." "Behold I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation." "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." "Behold my Servant whom I uphold, mine Elect, in whom my soul

"Thus saith Lord, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, kings shall see, and arise, princes also shall worship." "I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles-for a covenant of the people, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." (Ex. xxxiv. 6-Isa. Ixiii. 5-and lvii. 16-Job xxxiii. 24— Psl. ixxxix. 19-Isa. xxviii. 16— Gen. xlix. 10-Isa. xlii. 1—and xlix. 68.)

From these passages he may deduce this doctrine, viz. Though man has apostatized from God, yet God who is rich in mercy, did not leave him utterly forlorn, or without hope, but gave him early, plain, and repeated intimations of a Saviour to come.

Then, IV. Do the Scriptures prove incontestably, that an allself-sufficient and glorious Saviour has actually made his appearance in the world agreeably to these intimations?

Hear the declarations of the Scriptures. "And the Lord

whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold he shall come saith the Lord of hosts." "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel ; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world begun ;-To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins."

And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord." "And his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." "And, lo, a voice from delighteth."heaven, saying, This is my beloved