hopes ere long to be enabled to render some assistance in the Cingalese translation of the Scriptures.-Brother Trowt, now settled at Samarang, is applying with great industry and success to the Javanese language, with a view to a translation of the Scriptures; and has it in contemplation to send us a copy of the Javanese alphabet, that we may prepare a fount of types.— Brother Judson, too, at Rangoon, is apply. ing with great assiduity to the Burman language, with a view of ultimately assisting in the same good and important work.

that, should divine Providence spare our lives, and continue to us the advantages now enjoyed, it is not our intention to stop till every province and district throughout India shall have the word of God in its own vernacular tongue. For, granting that to acquire the remaining tenth of the words in these dialects, may be difficult to persons advanced in years, it will appear evident to those who duly reflect on the subject, that it will be still more difficult for others hereafter, who may be totally new to the work, to acquire, through the medium of the Sungskrit and the chief collateral tongues, an accurate knowledge of the other nine-tenths it is proper that we should put you in posof the words in these languages, together session. In addition to the balance we had with that experience in the work of trans-in hand at the date of the last Memoir, we lation which can only result from many years' acquaintance therewith. Convinced, therefore, that, at our time of life, we cannot serve our generation more effectually in any other way, it is our determination, as far as the Lord shall enable us, to devote the remainder of our days to labouring therein ourselves, and to the training of others to the work, who may carry it forward when we are laid in the grave.

Of the state of our funds, dear brethren,

have received four thousand rupees, the moiety of the sum which the Corresponding Committee had in hand at the end of the year 1814, and which was voted us at their half yearly meeting, held in July 1814; for which sum we beg you to offer the Bible Society our most cordial thanks. We are also indebted to the beneficence of the American Board of Commissioners, for a farther sum of Sicca rupees, 1156, which they have kindly remitted us this year. And a bequest from America claims our particular notice, as it is the first of the kind with which the translation fund has been favoured.*

It may not be improper to mention the exertions which certain of our brethren are already making for the sake of farther forwarding this work. The labours of brother Chamberlain in the Bruj version have been already mentioned; and though at present These sums, however, leave only a baremoved from the spot on which that lan-lance in hand of 1242 rupees, which sum is guage is spoken, he has continued his study far more than absorbed in the versions now of the language, and has, in the last few in the press. For all the wages of the punmonths, prepared the greater part of the dits, therefore, and the expense of the verNew Testament for the press.-Brother sions, we have to borrow money as we are Robinson, at Java, has made so great a able, till we receive new supplies from you, progress in the Malay spoken at Batavia, and the supporters of the work in Britain that the Literary Society, after examining and America; which sum, if it be that rehis version of St. Matthew therein, have re- quired for the whole year, will amount te quested him to proceed in the work of trans- nearly four thousand pounds; for the wages lation, and, as a token of respect, have elected him a member of their own body.→ Brother Chater, at Ceylon, has put to press a Grammar of the Cingalese language, which is approved and encouraged by those gentlemen there who are most conversant with the language; and he writes, that he

This is a bequest by Miss Rebecca Cox, of which Robert Ralston, Esq. and other executors have kindly and generously remitted to us before it was legally due, from the interest they take in the work it is intended to forward.

of the pundits, which we, relying on the liberality of the public, have engaged in the different languages, amount to 1200 rupees monthly, or 1800l. annually; and the printing of the different versions will amount to full two thousand pounds more.

March 21, 1816.

W. CAREY,
J. MARSHMAN,
W. WARD.

ITINERANT PREACHING IN

FRANCE.

Extract of a Letter from a Lady in France,

to her Correspondent in London. [The Protestant reader will make due allowance for the partiality which the writer displays for Roman Catholic preachers and ceremonies, which we cannot approve, yet must wish that Protestant ministers may be actuated by similar zeal in the dissemination of a purer faith.]

great exertion necessary to the fulfilling the task they have imposed on themselves beyond the age of 45. With truly apostolical simplicity, they bring with them neither staff nor scrip; but judging the workman to be worthy of his hire, they expect the place of their residence for the time being to furnish them with the necessaries of life: this, with the consciousness of doing good, or rather the will of their Master, is their only remuneration, for they will not accept of any thing, however artfully conveyed. Their mission lasts from five to seven weeks in a place--they are fifteen in number-we had seven of them here in last November and December, all men of abilities, each in a different way, and, therefore, the more likely to do general good; but there was one Monsieur Guyon, whose talents in the pulpit were so transcendently superior to any thing I had before met with, that I could not help saying I had till then no idea of the powers of oratory. His object was YOU take so warm an interest in the the conversion of infidels, and such was the cause of Christianity, that I am sure you force of his reasoning, and the power of his will rejoice to hear of an establishment masterly eloquence, that I think, unless likely to contribute to revive it in France, with those predetermined to persist in unwhere it has still so many zealous partizans. belief, conviction must follow his arguments. Soon after Bonaparte allowed of the public There were, generally, at least 3000 people exercise of the Catholic religion, a few in the Church when he preached, yet you ecclesiastics united themselves into a society would have heard a pin fall; his sermons under the appellation of Missionaries in were from an hour to five long, yet every France, and dividing themselves into com- one lamented when they closed. Oh! how panies of four, five, or six, as they deemed much did I then wish for you—I do not expedient, went to the different towns to know that I ever spent a series of evenings endeavour to call back their countrymen to in a manner more gratifying, both to my that God whom they had forsaken, and understanding and my heart. We had sewhose arm had been extended over them in veral most imposing religious ceremonieshis wrath. Their efforts soon appeared the renewal of the vows of baptism-the gelikely to be crowned with more success than neral communion, and the plantation of the would have suited the Emperor's views; cross were those which made the most imthey were therefore suppressed. At the re-pression on me. The religious exercises turn of the king they again assembled, began about five in the morning, and em. and renewing their laudable endeavours, they continue to dedicate their talents and time to the salvation of their fellow-creatares, and the service of their country; indeed, I ought to say they dedicate their lives, since it is considered as impossible good Christians. There are two or three that any of them should resist the very instances of the father and mother going to

ployed six hours of the day in general, but sometimes the whole of it. Great good has certainly been done. Many, who had to tally neglected every religious duty, even for thirty or forty years, are now become

be married, and taking a family of children, the other 17, in March, 1816, with the some more than 20 years of age, to be bap-corpse of their husband. Every argument tized. Several other grown persons were also baptized, two of whom, in particular, had probably never entered a Church in their lives, for they had no idea of a God; yet they were, according to the law of the land, man and wife. Will not all true Christians, of whatever communion, bless the instruments of this good? Yet what we are witnesses to here, can be but a small portion compared to the whole nation, which they will in time visit! And could the number of this admirable society be multiplied tenfold, still might remoralize France, and give happiness to its people. March 11, 1818.

WESLEYAN MISSIONS.

was used to dissuade the women from these acts of self-murder; but they were infa tuated by their superstition. They were even required to ascend the funeral pile while it was burning; nor were the Brahmins allowed to detain them there by force. The eldest woman walked up deliberately, and laid herself by the side of her deceased husband. The younger then addressed the spectators, with great animation to this effect:-"You have just seen my husband's first wife do her duty; and you will now see me follow her example. Henceforward, I pray, do not attempt to prevent Hindoo women from burning; if you do, our curse will be upon you."

In numberless instances, we know that the natural love of life has conquered in these

tion; but the cause is, perhaps, even still more heart-rending, when fraud and superstition succeed in deadening the very feel

Preparatory to the annual meeting, ser-wretched victims, the heroism of supersti mons were preached on Friday, May 1st: in the morning, at Queen-street Chapel, by the Rev. Adam Clarke, LL.D., and in the evening, at Hinde-street, by the Rev. Tho-ings of nature. mas Roberts, M.A. from Bath.

How different the following scene! and

The annual meeting was held at the City-how divine the influence which could form Road Chapel, on Monday morning, May such a character! 4th; and, by adjournment, at the same place, on the evening of Thursday the 7th, Thomas Thompson, Esq. M. P. in the chair.

The Rev. Richard Watson, one of the secretaries, on introducing the report, remarked, that the report of the preceding year had been so recently published, that the present might be considered as containing supplementary notices, rather than many new facts.

The income of the year had amounted to upwards of 17,000l. but the expenses would probably be equal.

From the many powerful appeals made to the Society, we shall select a few striking particulars.

Mr. Hawtrey, of Canterbury, formerly a military officer, read a letter, lately received from India, describing the self-sacrifice of twe Hindoo widows, the one aged 23, and

"Me come from

Mr. Hawtrey was once stationed at St. Christopher's, where an affecting circum stance occurred. A negro woman appeared with her head tied up. The preacher inquiring how she did, she replied, "Bless the Lord, my Massa, finely!" On further inquiry, he found that the woman had been greatly persecuted. Going one morning to labour, she met the manager, who inquired where she had been. preaching, Massa." He struck her violently on the face. She had read our Lord's words; and, understanding them literally, turned the other cheek, when he knocked her down. She had heard it was her duty to pray for her enemies, and therefore rose on her knees, and began to pray the Lord to turn his heart. He now became furious; ordered her to be flogged immediately; and, in his rage, took the whip into his own hands, and beat her till she became insensi

ble, and was left for dead. Being now | Sierra Leone, and the Rev. Messrs. Watasked if she was not afraid to come to son, Benson, Bunting, and others.

preaching, she replied, “Me fear! Fanny no fear! Bless the Lord, heavenly Massa take care of me."

Dr. Clarke strongly urged the duty of Christians with respect to missions. It was always found to be God's time to be gracious, when we came forward promptly in his service.

Mr. Watson quoted a letter from Mr. Harvard, at Ceylon, which confirmed very strongly the statement of Mr. Clough, respecting the treatment of the sick by the heathen natives of that island. Mr. Harvard's attention was one evening roused by a loud noise. He followed the sound, till it brought him toa shed, where was the figure of a terrific demon, six or seven feet high, with a forked tongue. A torch and a bell were employed to call to him the attention of the heathen. A sick man was lying before the idol; and a lame man was chanting aloud the name of the demon, and calling on him for a cure. The Missionary stood, at first, silent and astonished; but, when the performers began to solicit money to carry on this shocking farce, he remonstrated with them on their horrible idolatry. But it was in vain. By these means they pretend to cure diseases. If the patient recover, and pay the priest, all is well; if, however, he get worse, and the priest perceive him to be incurable, he pronounces him "unclean." He is then carried by force into the jungle, frequently screaming and struggling all the way; and there left, a prey to wild beasts

or to famine!

The resolutions were formed on the principle of bringing before the meeting the great objects of the Society. The general success granted to the Missions, and the peculiar claims of those to the West-Indies, to Africa, to Ceylon, and to Madras and Bombay, were recognized in separate resolutions.

On these and other points the meetings were addressed, at some length, by Mr. Hawtrey, Dr. Clarke, Mr. Davies, from

Dr. Clarke stated, that the mission to Ceylon had been in contemplation so far back as the year 1788, when Dr. Coke had suggested it, and urged its adoption, as the key to Continental India. A memorial had been, in consequence, presented to the Directors of the East India Company; but the attempt could not be made, till our Government ("Heaven bless them!" said Dr. Clarke) had thrown open the door to missions.

The Rev. Jabez Bunting, in reference to the infant missions to Madras and Bombay, moved a resolution expressive of pleasure in these missions, but considering them as by no means adequate to the vastness of the object; and pledging the Society, therefore, to furnish the means of new and enlarged exertions for the conversion of Continental India. Mr. Bunting enforced this resolution by much powerful reasoning and illustration. Among other proofs of the degraded state of the Hindoos, he noticed particularly the treatment of the lower castes by those of the higher. The Pariars, for instance, must not only keep at such a distance as not to touch the other castes, but they must not pass them on the highway; and if they happen to meet them there, they must turn out of the road, and take a circuit in order to avoid them. “It is said," Mr. Bunting remarked, "that we have as bad characters at home as there are in India. But here is the grand distinction:-In England, men sin in the face of their Bibles, and against light and knowledge; and, in that respect, their crime is greater: but, in India, their very Scriptures (as they call their Shastres) goad them on to wickedness, and make a merit of crime!"

Among the notices of the home concerns, we observe the arrival of two Budhist priests, from Ceylon. They importuned Sir Alexander Johnston, who is just returned with Lady Johnston to this country, to allow them to accompany him to England for instruction.

Committee have, since the anniversary› come under large acceptances and engagements to different Missions.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Eighteenth Anniversary.

4

The state of the Missions was reported

On this occasion, an able sermon was under seven principal divisions--the Mepreached by Professor Farish, of Cambridge,diterranean, the Calcutta and North India, on Tuesday morning the 5th of May, at the the Madras and South India, the Ceylon, Church of St. Andrew by the Wardrobe the New Zealand, the West Africa, and and St. Anne, Blackfriars, from Luke xi. 2. the West Indies. "Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come: thy will be done; as in heaven, so in earth."

From the details which the printed report will contain of these seven Missions, some most encouraging particulars were brought before the meeting respecting the influence of true piety on many of the li

Freemasons' Hall was crowded at an early hour; and though the Committee made the best regulations in their power berated negroes in Sierra Leone, and the for the accommodation of the members of awakening among them of a missionary spithe Society, and admitted none but by tick-rit, which had a great effect on the memats, yet the number of members who sought|bers. for admission was so great, that the tickets issued were perhaps half as many more as the Hall could contain. We are happy to hear that a plan is in contemplation for the remedying of this evil, now so severely felt by this and other Societies, by the erection of a large and commodious room for the public meetings of charitable and religious institutions.

The Treasurer, John Thornton, Esq. then read the statement of the accounts for the year, and made some appropriate remarks thereon.

The Meeting was addressed by the Bishops of Gloucester and Norwich, Messrs. Stephen, Wilberforce, and Babington, and the Rev. Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Beachcroft, and Dr. Thorpe.

At the close of the meeting the whole

The President, Lord Gambier, took the chair at two o'clock, and opened the meet-assembly stood up, and joined in singing ing by an address of great simplicity and the 117th Psalm—

devotion.

"From all that dwell below the skies."

The collections made at the Sermon and

An abstract of the Report was then read by the Secretary, which occupied about an hour; many of the details being reserved for the press, in order to shorten the dura-each, amounted to about 3801. One of these tion of the meeting.

Meeting, including several donations of 50%.

donations was sent by a young gentleman for the West African Mission, in consequence of what he had heard at the meeting of the state of some of the liberated negroes.

Under the head of Funds, it was reported that an increase had taken place in the income of the eighteenth year, equal to the increase of the seventeenth; having advanced in the seventeenth from 17,000l. to 20,000l., and in the eighteenth from 20,000l. to 23,000. While the income of the two years thus amounted to 43,000l. the expenditure reached 41,000l.; that of the seventeenth year being 22,0001., and that of the eighteenth 19,000l. The average i inTHE first Anniversary Sermon was come of the two years was thus 21,5007, and preached at the Church of St. Andrew by the average expenditure 20,500. The the Wardrobe and St. Anne, Blackfriars,

JEWS' SOCIETY.

Tenth Anniversary.