the reign of the Chinese Emperor Chuwilay Zäzen Chan of the Mongol dynasty, with a view to propagate the Shakdshamunish superstitions, (or the religion of the Lamas,) for which purpose, the writings of the Indian and Tibetan authors, treating of these doctrines, were translated into the Mongol language, and written with Mongol cha death, and strengthen us anew; that we TRAUGOTT MARTIN, As the above-mentioned Governor, on distributing the translated Gospel, had required an opinion of the princes of these people respecting it, they took all possible pains to understand its contents, which proved a very difficult task, as the CalThe return of the missionaries to Labra-mucks have a new, improved, and much dor in this year, (1817,) has been attended more distinct manner of writing, invented with the greatest danger, but likewise with by Arran Dschimba Chutuktu, but formed new proofs of the mercy of God in preserv-after the pattern of the Mongol letters; ing the ship and the lives of the company on whereas the other Mongol tribes have board from destruction. ACCOUNT Of the manner in which the study of the retained the ancient characters, which have also been the original of the Mandshurish letters. It happened providentially, that a wellknown book on Religion in the Calmuck language, was found in the Mongol horde, which had belonged to a Saisang, (nobleman,) who had accompanied the Torgot horde, and died on the road, when they emigrated from the River Wolga to China. The commission to decipher the Gospel, was now given to two Saisangs of the Chorinian Buräts, who so diligently applied themselves to the work, that they were soon enabled generally to explain its contents MARCH 7, 1818, to their superiors. This excited so much HAVING finished printing the first Edi-curiosity, that the Head Lama of the Montion of the Gospel according to St. Matthew gols, Bandida Chambo Dansang Gowang Tuki Dschamzu, and the prince of the Chorinian Buräts, Galsang Marday, each among his own people, of their own accord, made a collection, amounting to upwards of 11,000 roables, (5501.) which they placed at the disposal of our Bible Society, on condition that the Gospel of St. Matthew, and, if possible, other books of the New Testament, might be translated into their language, and printed in their cha in the Calmuck Language, copies of it were This gave occasion to several conferen-¡ now understood it. They visited me twice ces, to consider how their wish might or thrice aweek, always bringing their work be complied with, and at length the matter with them, and at each visit, I perceived being referred to a Sub-committee, of which I was appointed a member, I proposed to send for one or two learned Mongols or Buräts, to undertake the work, which, being unanimously approved, Prince Gallitzin sent a requisition to this effect to the civil Governor at Irkutsk. The choice of the chiefs of the horde fell upon the two Saisangs, who had been already employed. The elder is called Saisang Nomtu, chief of the tribe of Chuwahsay, of about 3000 males; and the younger, Saisang Badma, chief of the Charnagay tribe, having above 3000 males. their progress, not only in the knowledge, but also in the personal application of the Gospel. The work of the Spirit of God in the hearts of these men having originated altogether with Himself, I left the whole entirely to Him, without intermeddling in the least. I noticed with delight their growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, contenting myself with explaining such passages of Scripture as they could not understand, and giving my advice only when it was asked for. They were more especially pleased with those passages, in which our Saviour declares His readiness to receive sinners, inviting the weary and heavy-laden to come unto Him, and promising to give them rest. They were also forcibly struck by His The two Saisangs soon set out from the Chinese frontiers for St. Petersburg, and arrived here in the beginning of December 1817. Passing through Moscow, they had the honour to be presented to the Emperor, parables; among others, by that of the who encouraged them in the most conde-householder, who hired labourers into his scending terms to proceed in the work. vineyard, giving to those, who came in Here, the Bible Society furnished them the evening, the same wages as those rewith a suitable lodging, and the care of ceived, whom he had hired in the mornthem was committed to me. They likewise ing; which they regarded as having a spe brought recommendatory letters from the cial reference to themselves and their naupper chiefs to me, expressing the great tion. The promise of Jesus, that before and anxious concern they felt for the welfare the end of the world, the Gospel shall be of the two Saisangs, declaring, that they preached, for a testimony unto all nations, were the best and most sensible men among made a deep impression upon them. Some their people. time ago, they related, without any sug Having regulated their affairs in their gestion on my part, that whenever they new situation, they commenced their prayed to their gods, as they have been ac labours with unbounded zeal. Before they customed to do, they felt very great uneasibegan their translation, they formed ex-ness, as if they were committing sin. Anotracts of such parts of different chapters, ther tine, they spoke as follows: "We the meaning and Spirit of which they could have been zealous followers of the doctrines not understand. These they brought to of Shakdshamuni, and have studied the me, and begged for an interpretation, which books containing them attentively; but the I gave them in the best possible manner I more we studied, the more obscure they was able to do. appeared to us, and our hearts remained Here appeared the work of the Spirit empty. But in perusing the doctrines of of God by the power of the Gospel. They Jesus, we observe the reverse: for the listened with silent attention; their coun- more we meditate on His words, the more tenances became serious; they gave no par-intelligible they become; and at length, ticular signs of approbation, but said in a it appears as if Jesus Himself were talking solemn tone, full of gentle emotion, that they with us." Many speeches of this kind, all bearing testimony to that life among the and honours, but rather reproach among dead, of which our Saviour speaks, John men; and that He calls those blessed, who, v. 25. occurred during my conversations for his sake, willingly and gladly submit with these men. It would be taking up to unremitted reproach. I reminded them, too much time to enumerate them all. further, that this step would cause great I had frequently remarked, that there sensation among their friends, and perhaps seemed to be something upon their minds, give much offence; I begged them, therewhich they were on the point of disclos-fore, to examine themselves, as in the preing; but that they always suddenly check-sence of Jesus, whether they were free ed themselves, and entered upon other sub-from every thing that might prevent their jects. A short time ago, they brought me becoming His entire property; for that He, their translation of the 21st, 22d, and 23d who, in order to redeem fallen man, in chapters of St. Matthew. After we had mercy, offered Himself as a sacrifice once completed the revision and correction of for ever, and who thereby purchased us these chapters, they were, contrary to cus- unto Himself by his His bitter sufferings, tom, quite silent; for in general, they had blood-shedding, and death, could not accept various questions to propose, and required a heart devoted half to Him, and half to many explanations. At length I broke si- sin and the world. The worst of all would lence by saying: “Well, my friends, what be, if, after having become members of have you to say to me to-day?" Upon this, Christ's family by baptism, they should the elder of the two, after an evident con-again choose to return to the old way, either flict with himself, expressed himself thus: "We have lived in ignorance, and have been led by blind guides; we followed the They replied, that they had well conprecepts of Shakdshamuni (the Fo of the sidered these things, and that the words Chinese) without finding rest. By God's of Jesus Himself on this subject, had mercy, we have been chosen to translate caused them no small anxiety and struggle. the Gospel of His Son into our language, They mentioned particularly, the parable and for this eud have been brought into of the sower, and the different kinds of connexion with you. You have illustrated ground upon which the seed fell; also the the things unintelligible to our darkened words of Jesus, Matt. x. 37, 38; likewise minds, in a direct and satisfactory man-our Saviour's address to the youth, who ner. We acknowledge Christ Jesus to be would first go and bury his father-“Let our God and Saviour, and are determined the dead bury their dead." Further, what to know none other: we have therefore He says of Himself "The foxes have made a resolution, to leave our former su-holes, the birds of the air have nests, &c." perstitions, and to adopt the Christian faith. What advice would you give us?" on account of persecution and affliction, or out of levity and indifference. But they declared, that it was their firm determination, to be followers of Jesus, The younger Saisang confirmed all the and to share in His reproach, if that were elder had said, as expressing his own sen- their lot; though they, at the same time, timents. This address was quite unexpect- did not deny their wish, that such trials ed to me. I answered: That I certainly might not befall them too soon, on account approved their determination, considering of their weakness in the faith. They said, it as wrought in them by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, and as demonstrating the power of that Gospel; but I asked them, if they had duly reflected, what was required of a disciple of Jesus? That Christ does not promise His followers earthly happiness the esteem in which they were held by their friends, and their influence, were considerable; and that it was their sincere desire, that many of their nation, being convinced, like themselves, of the truth of the Gospel, might turn to Jesus. That they 427 did not intend, as yet, to inform their heaven.' All of us, without exception, have friends of the change that had taken place frequent occasion to become as little childwith them; in order to prevent, as much as ren again: if we neglect doing this, we possible, all mistakes and prejudices du-may indeed become learned divines, but ring their absence, for that their nation ima- we lose the spirit of the Bible, which regined, that as soon as they become Chris-veals unto us our insufficiency and defects, tians, they must become Russians, (of which and directs us to Jesus. You would thus both they and the Calmucks have great be in danger of becoming such men as you horror.) That this idea was dreadful even have found the Pharisees and Scribes of old to them, personally, for they did not wish to have been, and now know a great numto forfeit their nationality. They therefore ber of your own Lamas to be, in your own hoped, that the Emperor would grant to country." them, and to all who might be converted, liberty as to their manner of life, as far as their Prince. is consistent with the precepts of the Gos- Letter from the two Mongolian Nobles to pel; and more especially, that faithful teachers might be sent to their nation, to point out to them the truth, and to guide them in the way of salvation. WE have given the above account of these two Mongolian Nobles, and of their present employment in the translation of the New Testament into their own tongue. They have addressed a Letter to their Prince, from St. Petersburg, dated in April last, of which the following is an extract.— "When we beheld the contents of your letter, in which you convey to us kind exhortations and words of affection, expressing a wish that we might use all diligence in translating the sacred Gospel, we were greatly rejoiced. brought near to the sacred feet of our highlyBy your kind endeavours, we have been exalted monarch, (the Emperor,) and I approved their plan, but begged them to be quite passive, and to take no steps on their part; but merely to state their ideas candidly to me, knowing that I loved them, and would therefore willingly do all in my power to serve them. As to the teachers, whom they wished to have employed among their nation, measures would be taken to procure them; but that they should not forget to apply in all their concerns to Him, who loved them far more than men could love them; who had begun the good work in them, and would complete it, if they only obeyed his voice in all things; and who would find means to remove all external difficulties, if it were His will. After this, I had two or three conver-reached the city of St. Petersburgh, where sations with them, in which we spoke on shines the brightness of the holy doctrine; several of the principal points of the Chris- for here we have seen and heard the most tian faith. These conversations gave them sacred words of the Most High and Saving great pleasure; but they inquired, why I God. had not told them all this sooner. I answered: "You are as yet but babes in Christ, and with such the pure milk of the Of the words and doctrine of the Most Gospel agrees best: as you grow in grace, High and Saving God, Jesus Christ, we you will be able to bear strong meat, and have transcribed, into the Mongolian lanwill also receive it; but always recollect guage and character, the first book, called our Saviour's significant words; Except the Gospel of St. Matthew, and completed ye be converted and become as little child-it. Another book, called the Gospel of St. zen, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of John, will soon be finished. That we ever should see and hear such things, we never before had an idea. The Word of God being so very clear and intelligible, we cannot sufficiently admire it; and we feel, that it is truth which may be relied upon. This vehicle of a reasonable faith, this pearl of a devout heart, although existing eighteen hundred and eighteen years upon earth, has hitherto not yet come to our Mongols and Buräts. According to our humble opinion, our highly-exalted and gracious Sovereign is a hand of God; and the Society of the Holy Book of Religion, called the Bible, a true apostle of Jesus Christ. When, by the grace of God, our people, as well as every creature who speaks the Mongolian language, shall forsake their own faith, and receive the doctrine of Christ, when they shall walk in the strict and saving way,--they will, under his light and easy yoke, adopt a good conversation and good manners: that faith is the work of God alone. We are fully and firmly resolved to receive the doctrine of the saving God, Jesus Christ. Although we are not yet acquainted with the manners and usages of his religion; and, when we return home, should find no teacher, upon whose breast we could lean our head, neither any house of God; yet, after the conviction that we have obtained, of the truth of the word of God, we can no longer endure the want of it: we must abide by this doctrine. We hope that our highly-exalted and most gracious Sovereign, when he shall hear that his subjects on the outermost borders of his kingdom have adopted Christianity, will favour as with wise and worthy teachers." THE EXTRAORDINARY CONVERSION OF A CATHOLIC IN IRELAND. THE subject of this narration had considerable expectations in early life, and had received a suitable education; but, by some untoward circumstances, she had been kept out of the property to which she was entitled, and was reduced to great distress. Her husband and all her friends were bigoted Catholics. Urged by poverty, domestic strife, and above all by superstition, she resolved on leaving her family, and devoting the rest of her days to religious services, in what is called performing stations, at different places in this kingdom, famed for imparting peculiar merit to observances performed at them. She accordingly left her husband and two young children, nor had he any intimation of her resolution, or the motives which contributed to the steps she had taken, until he received a letter from her a considerable time after her departure. It would be tedious to enter on the history of her pilgrimages, stations, and mortifications. People devoted to this kind of life need no money to procure sustenance. They are received as angels into the cabins of the poor, who conceive they participate in the merit of all their labours of superstition, by contributing to their necessities; nor are the better informed and more wealthy Catholics free from this delusion; though many of the most respectable and better educated among them, affect to laugh at these fooleries. While the pilgrims are thus provided with sustenance for the day, they are, nevertheless, under the necessity to beg, in order to procure raiment. She, however, had recourse to a way more congenial with her feelings to supply her wants in this respect. When necessary, she opened a female school at different places, during the vacations which occurred between the Saints' days, on which the stations at differ. ent wells, groves, and high places, were to be performed. In choosing the site of her school, she had an eye to the contiguity of some holy place, or a situation so circumstanced, as to connect her residence there with the necessity of a meritorious mortification. Thus she once fixed on the centre of a large bog over Baal, where in a hut she kept school; and though her light-footed pupils could wade through the quagmires, which seemed to bar the entrance, with lit |