84

they would continue flocking to his standard, would be necessary, that the powers to

which the Jews are subject might be in
duced to let them go free, and return to
their own land; as if the God who made

till the Jews themselves were at length brought in with the fulness of the Gentiles. I added, that after this event, the kingdom of the Messiah might be considered as hav-Cyrus let their fathers return to Palestine, ing reached the zenith of its glory in the world, and that Jesus of Nazareth would then be universally acknowledged as King in Zion."

could not do a similar work in our days. I replied, that in order to the fulfilment of the promises made to the fathers, it was not absolutely necessary that the Jews should return to the Holy Land; and offered such remarks as seemed requisite for removing their difficulty.

inte

"Could we only see the Messiah," said they," then would we believe on him." I replied, that seeing him with their bodily "Having promised to procure for them eyes was not necessary in order to their believing the truth of his Messiahship;-that a few copies of the Hebrew Gospels from the evidence of his incarnation, resurrec- the Astrachan Bible Society, I embraced tion, and ascension, was of the most unex- the opportunity offered, and presented ceptionable nature;-and that it would be them with nine copies, which, with one unreasonable in the extreme to believe formerly given, make in all ten copies of nothing upon the testimony of others, and the four Gospels, and Acts of the Apostles, to require ocular demonstration, as a sine in Hebrew. Each of them got a copy qua non, in order to their receiving Christ his hand, and their priest examined them as their Saviour. "And do you think," one by one. They seemed pleased as they said they, “that the Messiah will never eyed the book over; but I believe they come?"—"Never," said I, "in the sense would have given them all, without a sigh, in which you understand his coming. He for a Hebrew Testament. May the reading will never appear to his kinsmen as a tem- of these, through the divine blessing, be the poral deliverer at the head of their armies. dawn of Gospel light among the Jews of Jesus of Nazareth, indeed, will come again Endery! May the veil be removed from to the world, and every eye shall see him, their hearts, and many of them be made to but not in the character of an earthly prince. see that Jesus is the Messiah promised to When he comes, it will be to judge the their fathers, and that he is able to save to world, and to receive those to the glories the uttermost all that come unto God by of heaven who have been his faithful fol- him." lowers on earth, who have not seen, and yet have believed; and not to erect such a kingdom as you expect. To suppose, as the Mohammedans do, that he will come to our earth, marry a wife, have children, and reign forty years, and kill Antichrist with his own hand, is to entertain ideas of his character, which are utterly repugnant, not only to the doctrines of the Apostles of

DEATH OF SABAT.

The following brief narrative of the cir cumstances attending the latter days of the unhappy apostate Sabat, is taken from the Madras Courier.

"On renouncing the religion which he had embraced with all the zeal and fervour

Christ, but to the predictions of the prophets." They heard some other remarks which I thought proper to offer, illustrative of a man sincerely persuaded of its truth, he of my views of the character of Antichrist, was so shameless as to write and print a but declined discussing the question, by al-book, declaring that he only became a conleging their want of knowledge as the rea-vert to comprehend and expose the docson; adding, at the same time, that, in trines of Christianity, interspersing through their opinion, the appearance of Messiah the pages of his work intemperate abuse of

gaged to return with him to Acheen; but the followers or attendants of the Rajah, for some unspecified reason, turned the two Arabs on shore on a neighbouring island. When the son of Synd Hossyn heard that the Rajah was returning, and had landed two Arabs, he despatched his people to apprehend them, and, probably conceiving them to be associated with his enemy to expel him from the throne, placed them in close confinement. This is the substance of the news that had reached Penang when the merchant who communicates these particulars was there. But on his voyage back to this port, he was informed that the usurper above noticed, after having kept the wretched sufferers in prison six months, had ordered them to be tied up in a sack filled with heavy stones, and thrown into

many respectable gentlemen who had been
his benefactors. He immediately left Cal-
cutta, visited Ava and Pegu, and a short
time afterward was found to have taken up
his residence in an obscure quarter of Pe-
nang. There, if we can believe his own
declarations, he began to feel the compunc-
tions and remorse of conscience, which he
attempted to describe in his communica-
tions with several persons on that island.
He stated, that he never could be happy till
he had made atonement for his offences,
and had been received back into the Church
he had so shamefully abandoned. In a
letter which he published in the Penang
Gazette, of the 9th of March, 1816, he had
the effrontery to avow himself a true be-
liever in Christianity! notwithstanding the
book he published contained a refutation of
Christianity-a refutation of the divinity of the sea! Other accounts, which concur
Christ—a refutation of the objections of generally with the foregoing, state that
both Jews and Christians to the divine mis- Sabat joined the usurper; and having been
sion of Mohammed-proofs of his mission- discovered in carrying on a scheme to over-
and his own profession of faith! From throw the new authority in favour of him-
other sources of information, however, we self, he was punished with the horrible
understand that he testified extraordinary death here described. The story of the
devotion as a Soonee, the sect of Moham-revolution in Acheen may be erroneously
medans of which he was an original mem- stated, but all the accounts agree respect-
ber. But in all his recent wanderings in ing the fate of the unhappy apostate."
different parts of Ava, Pegu, and Sumatra,
it seems that the renown of his apostacy
soon destroyed the friendly connexions he
had formed on his first appearance, and in
every place of sojourn he became finally
despised and neglected. The following
particulars, which describe the last cir-
cumstances of his life, are derived from a
native merchant of respectability. A short
time ago, the son of Synd Hossyn, a mer-
chant, proceeded from Penang to Acheen, "I am more and more convinced that
and succeeded in wresting from a Rajah the inhabitants of India are nearly inacces-
the possession of his provinces. The de. sible to us in their present state, (I mean
throned Rajah was obliged to seek refuge with a view to their conversion,) from the
at Penang ;--but no person feeling inter-gross ignorance and want of common ru-
ested in his fate, or making any inquiry dimental instruction which prevails among
respecting his condition, he continued on them; and the great means which India
board the vessel which had conveyed him appears to be in want of at present, is a
from his native country. Sabat and Hamar-systematic plan of education, patiently and
ibni-Salim, another Arab, having opened a industriously to be acted upon throughout
communication with the exiled Rajah, en- the whole of our territories. Only let the

INDIA.

Account of a remarkable assembly of Hindoos, near Delhi, who met to read the Scriptures.-Extract of a letter from the Rev. Mr. F., dated May 6, 1817, to Rev. Mr. T., Calcutta.

population have the power to read our" The book of God." Anund, "Let me Scriptures, and we have done them a kind-look at it, if you please." Anund, on openness, the benefit of which nothing can de-ing it, perceived it to be the Gospel of our prive them of. The Bible may do its own Lord, translated into the Hindoostanee work; that it can do so has been repeatedly tongue, many copies of which seemed to be proved, in spite of the melancholy fore- in the possession of the party; some printed, bodings and sensitive jealousies of the ad- others written by themselves from the versaries to its distribution. printed ones.

Take an instance, my dear brother, which I think so well calculated to cheer our spirits. You know that Anund Mesee is now baptized. I shall send you his history by the next packet. We have every reason to believe in the sincerity of his Christian profession, and we hope for many beneficial results from his real ability and consistent life. The other day he asked my permission to leave his little school at M—, to go over for a few days, to Delhi; which was the more readily granted, as he still entertains hopes of bringing his wife over to the acceptance of the salvation of the Gospel, as well as his brothers and sisters.

Anund pointed to the name of Jesus, and asked, "Who is that?" "That is God; he gave us this book." Anund, "Where did you obtain it?" "An angel from heaven gave it me at Hurdwar-Fair." Anund, "An angel!" "Yes; to us he was God's angel; but he was a man, a learned Pundit." (Doubtless these translated Gospels must have been the books distributed five or six years ago at Hurdwar by the Missionary.) "The written copies we wrote ourselves, having no other means of obtaining the Blessed Word." "These books," said Anund, "teach the religion of the European Sabibs. It is their book; and they printed it in our language for our use." "Ah, no;" replied the stranger, "that cannot be, for they eat flesh.” "Jesus Christ," said Anund, "teaches that it does not signify what a man eats or drinks. Eating is nothing before God; and not that which entereth into a man's mouth defileth him, but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a

During his stay at Delhi, a report was in circulation that a number of strangers had assembled together (nobody knew why) in a grove near the imperial city, and were busily employed, apparently in friendly conversation, and in reading some book in their possession, which induced them to renounce their caste, to bind themselves to love and associate with one another, to in-man; for vile things come forth from the termarry only among their own sect, and heart; and out of the heart proceedeth evil to lead a strict and holy life.

thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, This account filled Anund with great thefts, &c.; these are the things that deanxiety to ascertain who and what they file." "That is true; but how can it be were; and he instantly set off for the grove the European book, when we believe that it which had been pointed out as the place of was God's gift to us at Hurdwar-Fair?" rendezvous. He found about 500 people, Anund, "God gave it long ago to the men, women, and children, seated under Sabibs, and they sent it to us." I find, the shade of the trees, and employed, as from Anund, that these Testaments were had been related to him, in reading and circulated at Hurdwar, (I believe, by Mr. conversation. He went up to an elderly-Chamberlain,) and falling into the hands of looking man, and accosted him; and the different people, resident in different but following conversation passed :neighbouring villages, they were found to be interesting records, and well worth the attention of the people.

"Friend, pray who are all these people, and whence come they?" "We are poor and lowly, and we read and love this A public reader appears to have been book." Anund, "What is that book" selected by themselves in each of the vil

87

lages, for the express purpose of reading | advisable to send Anund to make all possithe miraculous Book; and their evenings ble inquiry respecting these promising bloshave been habitually spent in this blessed soms of hope, and trust to be enabled ere employment; crowds gathering together long to give you still more gratifying into hear God's Book. The ignorance and formation. simplicity of many was very striking. Never having heard of a printed book before, its very appearance was to them miraculous.

MISSIONARY STATIONS, &c.

A great stir was created by the gradually From a list which has been lately pubincreasing information hourly obtained; lished, the following appears to be the numand all united to acknowledge the supe- ber of Protestant Missionary Stations, and riority of the doctrine of the Holy Book to Missionaries, Catechists, &c. throughout the every thing they had hitherto heard or world. The various societies are arranged known. An indifference to the distinction in chronological order.

.

Stat.

1

Miss.

3 6

33

4

87

29 .63

26

59*

36

82

3

8

29

51

7

of caste soon manifested itself; and the interference and tyrannical authority of their Royal Danish Mission College Brahmins became more offensive and con- Christian Knowledge Society. temptible. At last it was determined to Society for propagating the Gospel 2 separate themselves from the rest of their United Brethren. Hindoo brethren, and establish a party of Wesleyan Methodists their own, choosing out, four or five who Baptist Missionary Society could read the best, to be public teachers from this newly-acquired Book. The num-Edinburgh Missionary Society (London) Missionary Society bers daily and rapidly increased, especially Church Missionary Society amongst the poor; which at last suggested American Congregational Board the idea of convoking a public meeting of all their congenial associates, to ascertain how many accepted their new doctrine. The large grove near Delhi seemed a convenient spot, and this interesting group had now all met for this very purpose when Anund's visit took place.

of Missions American Baptists.

165 374

Lon. Bop. Mag.

They seemed to have no particular form SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION SOCIETY. of congregational worship; but each individual made daily and diligent use of the Lord's prayer. Anund asked them, why they were all dressed in white. "The people of God should wear white ments," was the reply," as a sign that they are clean, and rid of their sins." Anund

gar

observed, “You ought to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Come to M.; there is a Christian Padree there, and he will show you what you ought to do." They answered, "Now we must go home to the harvest; but as we mean to meet once a year, perhaps the next year we may come to M."

The second anniversary of this Society was held in the spacious room at the Washington Hall, in the city of New-York, on Tuesday, the 12th of May, at half past o'clock in the afternoon.

4

This was a most interesting meeting. About 2500 children, principally males, were collected together. Their appearance was remarkably devout, and notwithstanding the crowd assembled, they maintained the greatest order. Appropriate hymns were sung by the children, and an address delivered to them by the Rev. Mr.

There are some native preachers not inIn consequence of this, I have deemed it'cluded in this enumeration.

Maclay. Tracts were distributed to each for his absence, which, we regret to add, scholar, when they retired. was occasioned by severe indisposition.

The chair was then taken by RICHARD VARICK, Esq. the President, and the report read by Mr. James Eastburn. On the several motions made, very excellent speeches were delivered by the Rev. James Milnor, the Rev. Paschal N. Strong, and John Bristed, Esq. The meeting was opened by the Rev. James M. Mathews, and closed by the Rev. Nathan Bangs.

In consequence of the absence of Dr. Romeyn, the annual report was read by the Rev. Dr. Blatchford, of Lansingburgh. The following resolutions were then unanimously adopted :

1. On motion of John Murray, Jun. Esq. of this city, seconded by the Rev. Dr. Miller, of Princeton, New-Jersey:

Resolved, That the report of the Board

The Report exhibited both improvement of Managers, now read, be accepted, as and increase in the Schools, but as it is or-highly satisfactory and encouraging; and dered to be printed, we shall defer giving that it be published under the direction of an abstract until our next number. the Board.

AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

2. On motion of the Rev. James Milnor, Rector of St. George's Chapel, in this city, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Mathews, of the Dutch Church, in Garden-Street, in this city:

The second anniversary of this Society Resolved, That the thanks of the Society was celebrated on the 14th of May last. be presented to the President, for his conThe Board of Managers and Directors met tinued and watchful attention to its inat 10 o'clock, at their room in the New-terests, and for his munificent liberality toYork Institution, and having finished their wards its funds. preparatory arrangements, moved to the City Hotel in procession. At 11 o'clock the Hon. ELIAS BOUDINOT, LL.D. President of the Society, took the chair.

By request of the President, the Rev. Dr. Mason opened the meeting, by reading the 49th chapter of the Prophecies of Isaiah. A very affectionate, interesting, and impressive address was then delivered by the venerable President.

3. On motion of the Rev. John Chester, of Albany, seconded by Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer:

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be rendered to the several Vice-Presidents, for the distinguished patronage which they have afforded to the Institution.

4. On motion of Samual Bayard, Esq. of New-Jersey, seconded by the Rev. Mr. Maclay, of the Baptist Church, in this city:

Resolved, That the thanks of the Society be presented to the Treasurer, the Secre taries, and the Board of Managers, for their services during the present year.

5. On motion of Joshua M. Wallace, Esq. of New-Jersey:

After the President's address, letters of apology were read from the following VicePresidents, who were unavoidably prevented from being present on the occasion: The Hon. John Quincey Adams, Secretary of State of the United States, the Hon. Smith Thompson, Chief Justice of the State Resolved, That the thanks of the Society of New-York, the Hon. William Tilghman, be given to the several Congregations, AuxChief Justice of Pennsylvania, the Hon.iliary Societies, and individuals, who in any Andrew Kirkpatrick, Chief Justice of New-way may have contributed to its resources Jersey, Joseph Nourse, Esq. of the City of and usefulness. Washington, and Francis F. Key, Esq. of By the annual report, it appears that the Georgetown, Dis. Col. A letter was also Managers have issued, during the past year, read from the Rev. Dr. Romeyn, Secretary nearly 18,000 Bibles: that they now numfor Domestic Correspondence, apologizing 'ber one hundred and fifty auxiliary insti