to make one of their number: he has been torne from our hands, and is confined in a dungeon where no Christian Minister can approach him, either to baptize him or to afford him the slightest consolation he is, however, in the hands of his Heavenly Father. May Divine consolations support and cheer him! Imprisonment of the Jewish Converts. Dec. 1, 1826-Melancholy day! This morning, early, G burst into my apartment, with the intelligence "The Jews are taken!" Who has been the traitor we know not; but, last night, about an hour after sun-set, the house in which they were lodged was surrounded by Turkish Soldiers, and our poor friends were forcibly taken out and thrown into prison, together with the Armenian to whom the house belonged: on their arrival at the prison, the Turkish Officer asked them a variety of questions; in answer to which they avowed themselves Christians, and asserted their allegiance to the Grand Seignior. This morning they were carried to the Court of the Seraskier, or Commander-in-Chief. A young man, whom we sent to inquire after them, found it impossible to see them. Their trial does not take place to-day, as it is the Turkish Sabbath. Dec. 2-This morning G came hither, with the mother-in-law of Bagdasar, the Armenian. He informs me, that, last night, the converts sent word that they were determined to stand firm to the last extremity: they expected that it would be first proposed to them to become Moslems, and, in case of non-compliance, the alternative would be death or the Arsenal. May God strengthen them for the hour of trial! Our persecuted friends are destitute of all human succour. God alone can help them! About noon, I went myself to the prison to which they were removed this morning; and, as I thought it might afford them some encouragement to see me, even though I could not converse with them, I obtained admission: on this occasion I saw enough to convince me that there is a wide and essential distance between the theory and the experience of martyrdom: a warm imagination may contemplate a violent death, while it is at a distance, with triumph and even with a species of ambition; but, bring a man into actual contact with prisons, chains, armed guards, examinations, stripes, and all the appalling pomp and parade of a public execution, and nothing short of a powerful and direct communi cation of Divine assistance will impart the needful fortitude. Truly, in every Christian Martyrdom, it is God who gives the victory, and it is God who claims the glory! In consideration of a few piastres, the Armenian was called up, and I was permitted to converse with him for a few minutes: the poor man was clearly suffering the greatest agony: I said all that I could to encourage him, but felt much regret at being unable to speak to our Jewish Friends: the large room, which constituted the prison, was exceedingly dark, and they were at a distant part of it: I should barely distinguish a number of Jewish head-dresses. Thus were our friends surrounded by their most bitter foes, while I could not even obtain a sight of them: of me, however, they would have a clear view, as I stood in the light of the door. They have been interrogated in three different places; and, on each occasion, they have firmly declared themselves Christians. It will have been seen, from p. 45 of the Survey, that these converts had been sent to labour in the Arsenal. Their sentence was for six months. Recent Miscellaneous Entelligence. ••• We shall here adopt, in future, the same arrangement as in the body of each Number—that is, entirely Geographica!; and not, as heretofore,partly in the Alphabetical Order of Societies, and partly in that of Places. UNITED KINGDOM. Church Miss. Soc.-On Tuesday, the 6th of March, at a Meeting of the Committee of Correspondence, the following persons were dismissed to their labours: Rev. T. Norton, and Miss Sarah Garrett his intended Wife, on Mr. Norton's return to Allepie; Rev. G. Steers Faught, proceeding to Ceylon; Rev. Christopher Fred. Schlienz, for Malta; and Miss Mary Ann Stratford, for BaddagameMr. James Baker Morewood and C. Lewis Korck, M.D. were admitted, by the Bishop of London, on Sunday the 11th of March, to Deacon's Orders-Mr. Schlienz left London, on the 26th of March, to embark in the Columbian Packet, Captain Sadler, for Malta. Jews' Society- At a Meeting of the Committee, held on Wednesday last, the 28th of March instant, the President, Sir Thomas Baring, Bart. M. P. in the Chair, Mr. Joseph Wolff was addressed by the Rev. Charles Simeon, preparatory to his departure for the Holy Land. Mr. Wolff, in his first Mission, went out under private patronage: the Society has, however, defrayed his expenses. will hereafter be entirely under its direction, and all his future Journals at its disposal. He London Miss. Soc.-The following appointments of Missionaries have taken place: on the 14th of January, at the German Lutheran Church in the Savoy, Mr. Fred. Gottlieb Kayser, to Caffraria; on the 24th, at Castle 182 RECENT MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. [MARCH, Street Chapel, Exeter, Mr. Aaron Buzacott, to the Harvey Islands; on the 8th of February, at Queen-Street Chapel, Leeds, Mr. W. Miller, to Nagracoil; on the 20th, at Paddington Chapel, Mr. S. Dyer, to Singapore; on the 27th, at Union-Street Chapel, Brighton, Mr. J. C. Thompson, to Quilon; and, on the 20th of March, at the Tabernacle in Norwich, Mr. H. Crisp, to Cuddapah-On the 13th of March, the Rev. H. Nott, on his return to the South Seas, with the Rev. Alex. Simpson and the Rev. Aaron Buzacott, and their Wives, sailed in the Cretan, Captain Gulliver, direct for Otaheite; a free passage having been granted by the Owner, Alex. Birnie, Esq. -The state of Mrs. Townley's health is such as to prevent the Rev. H. Townley from returning to Bengal, as was his intention, in the course of the present year. Persian Committee-At p. 48 of the Survey, we stated the measures which have been adopted to promote Education in Persia. A Committee has been formed, in connection with the British and Foreign School Society, for the prosecution of this object, which will direct its attention to the following measures: The instruction of one or more Teachers-the defraying of their expenses-maturing the plan of their destination and duties-their outfit and the charge of their conveyance-the printing of Elementary Lessons for the Schools-and the prepa ration of various articles of School furniture. WESTERN AFRICA. Church Miss. Soc.-Mr. Gatesman and his companions (see pp. 511, 574 of our last Volume) landed at Freetown on the 28th of November. Mr. and Mrs. Gatesman were, at first, appointed to Freetown Schools, Mrs. Pope to Gloucester, and Mrs. Taylor to Regent: but the inhabitants of the eastern division of Freetown having petitioned the Governor to establish a second School, and His Excellency being desirous to secure the services of Mrs. Pope at Freetown, the following arrangements were made: on the marriage of Mr. Weeks with Mrs. Pope (Dec. 7th) they took the charge of the new Schools, and Mrs. Taylor of the old Girls' School; Mr. and Mrs. Gatesman removing to Leopold. Mrs. Weeks and Mrs. Taylor have each had a severe attack of fever. Wesleyan Miss. Soc. Mr. Courties and Mr. May (p. 11 of the Survey) arrived at Freetown on the 30th of November. Mr. and Mrs. Hovendon at Tamatave, in their way to the capital, on the 3d of November. INLAND SEAS. American Board-The Rev. Eli Smith left Malta, on the 2d of December, for Caïro: and, on the 17th, the Rev. Messrs. Gridley and had arrived at Malta on the 11th.-On the Brewer for Smyrna. Mr. Hallock (see p.37) 15th of January, Mrs. Temple departed this life at Malta: Mr. Jowett thus speaks of her: Mrs. -A Woman whose adorning, it may be truly said, was the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. p. 46) reached Cairo on the 23d of October, Church Miss. Soc.-Mr. and Mrs. Krusé (see having left Alexandria on the 14th. Mueller's illness, of nearly three months' continuance, terminated in her departure to Mr. Kugler had visited them, in their afflicher heavenly rest on the 8th of December: tion, from Caïro. The Pacha of Acre having taken Jerusalem and added it to his Pachalic, residence there had become more secure : this circumstance had led the Missionaries destined for Abyssinia to contemplate an immediate removal to the Holy City, as adequate instruction could not be procured in Caïro; but an opportunity offering for proceeding to Abyssinia, in company of an Ambassador of the King of Habesh, who had been sent to Egypt to fetch a Coptic Bishop, Messrs. Gobat and Kugler had determined to embrace it- Mr. Hartley arrived at Malta on Jan. 11, in 18 days from Constantinople. INDIA BEYOND THE GANGES. London Miss. Soc.-Dr. Morrison and his family (see p. 57) landed at Singapore, after suffering much from the mutinous state of the crew of the Orwell, on the 23d of August. INDIA WITHIN THE GANGES. Church Miss. Soc.-Mrs. Wilkinson's health requiring her return to Europe, she had left Gorruckpore, with their two children, both of whom had also suffered from the climate: they were to sail from Calcutta in December. Mr. Wilkinson's health was perfectly goodThe Rev. John Perowne, at Burdwan, had been at the point of death; but was slowly recovering, in the beginning of AugustThe health of Rev. T. Morris (see p. 78) being re-established, he has been appointed to Cawnpore, Benares not agreeing with him. London Miss. Soc.-The Rev. Messrs. Smith and Lillie reached Madras on the 11th of September; and the Rev. Messrs. Pearson, Robertson, and Tomlin arrived at Calcutta 22d October: see p. 352 of our last Volume. Miscellanies. HINDOO GOD, CARTICEYA. THE Hindoos make figures of their gods, in which they endeavour to convey some notion of the pretended powers of these idols, by multiplying their heads and arms and hands. The Figure on the opposite page is one of this kind: it is meant to represent the god Carticeya, the Commander of the Celestial Armies. The fondness of the people for these images supports a body of artists called "God-makers!" These men follow the trade of making images of the Hindoo Gods in wood, and stone, and different metals; as Demetrius the silversmith, and workmen of like occupation, made silver shrines for Diana, which brought no small gain to the craftsmen. The present Engraving is taken from one of these images. In this figure, there are six heads and twelve arms and hands, but only part of them could be shewn in the engraving. Carticeya rides on a peacock with two of his hands he seems to be blessing the people; while others hold emblems of his authority and power. The more sagacious Hindoos, who begin to be ashamed of the gross Idolatry of their countrymen, try to excuse the use of these images, by saying that the image itself is not worshipped but the Deity which is represented by it: the great body, however, of the people believe that the Deity dwells in the image, and do actually worship the stock or the stone: a Hindoo, for instance, who came into the room where this figure was placed, instantly on getting sight of it bowed down with reverence. The people know little of the supposed meaning of different parts of the figure; but believe a number of ridiculous and often impure stories, which are told in order to account for the shape and parts of the figure. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, From December 16, 1826, to February 20, 1827. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, From February 21 to March 20, 1827. 1717 3 8 100 0 0 - 9269 15 11 North-East London Assoc., Hackney Ladies'. A Friend by Miss Hollier Mrs. Hawtrey, Collected by her Profit on Bishop Heber's Hymn, "Thou art gone to the Grave," set to Music 20.0 by a Lady York Association: Some Friends 500 The Committee of the Church Missionary Society return their acknowledgments for Packets of Clothing, &c. received through the British Ladies' Church Missionary Maternal Society, to Anonymous; Miss L. Cooke, Chester; Rev. J. Dampier, Brewham; Mrs. Digby; Miss Jane Haydon, Guildford; Miss Paget, Exeter; R. Strong, Esq., Brampton Abbots; Mrs. Thompson; Miss Wilcockson; Mrs. Robert Williams; and Miss Yates; also to Mr. William Lea, of Birmingham, for 2 Chests of Toys, value about 121. Erratum.-Vol. 1826, p. 5:2, the Sum of 11., placed to Bridgewater, was from Mark Branch. APRIL, 1827. Biography. ACCOUNT OF COOMARAVEL, A CINGALESE YOUTH, WHO DIED, AT BADDAGAME, MAY 23, 1826, aged 15 YEARS. THE following narrative has been furnished by the Rev. Benjamin Ward, one of the Church Missionaries, who are labouring at Baddagame, in Ceylon. Coomaravel was born of respectable parents, in the adjoining village of Ganegama; and, on the formation of this Mission, was sent to School here, toge ther with an elder brother. For several years, his father was employed by us in overlooking the workmen while building the Church; during which time Coomaravel attended school very regularly, and made some progress in reading and writing his native language, and in committing to memory the usual Catechisms. Afterwards, his father having, through our recommendation, obtained the appointment of Government Schoolmaster of Pitigalle, a village about 20 miles distant from this, he was obliged to be absent from home a great part of his time; in consequence of which Coomaravel became irregular in his attendance, and at last absented himself altogether. When he was ordered to go to school, he would run away into the jungle, and hide himself the whole day. Thus he continued a considerable time, till he became like a wild boy, and was ashamed to appear either at Church or School: he forgot all that he had learned-lived in constant disobedience to his parents and was growing up in ignorance, idleness, and sin. At length his father brought him again to school, and requested that we would take him entirely under our care; hoping, that, by proper discipline, he might yet be brought into subjection and obedience: he was accordingly received on trial, on the 19th of October 1824; and his father's expectations were soon realized. Subjected to the discipline of the school, ever under our eye, and required to attend the Service of the Church and of the Family, he became regular and orderly in his behaviour, and acquired a April, 1827. considerable knowledge of the truths of Scripture. He was, in general, attentive to instruction; and was in the habit of praying, morning and evening: but was occasionally playful; and, when provoked, was heard to make use of improper expressions: we never heard any other complaint of him. He was particularly careful not to displease us. When he had permission to go and see his friends, he would not be prevailed on to exceed the time prescribed. We did not, however, consider him a religious boy; nor did he think himself so. knew and acknowledged that his heart was not right in the sight of God: yet he was perfectly convinced of the truth of the Christian Religion; and, in his last hours, he found that knowledge which he had obtained of Christ, and of the way of salvation through faith in His Name, to be infinitely precious to his soul. He On the 13th of May 1826, he was attacked by dysentery, a disease which had been prevalent in the neighbourhood; and, in order that Br. Mayor might be able to pay more attention to him, he was removed to a separate room near us. On the following day we sent to inform his father, and to request him to come and stay with his son. For the first three or four days of Coomaravel's illness, it was quite impossible to prevail on him to take his medicine, either in the quantity or at the time that he was desired he had always a peculiar antipathy to medicine; and this led him to conceal his indisposition from us, till his school-fellows made it known: he was also much alarmed at an unfounded report of the death of one of his schoolfellows, who had been previously attacked by the same disease, and had been 2 B |