177. sterling, being collected on this day towards the liquidation of the debt incurred in building the The sum of 71. 16s. was also collected on the preceding Monday, making the total amount contributed, within a period of eight days, 247. 16s. The friends here expect that they shall be able to meet all the future payments that remain due on the place of worship. Last Lord's-day (July 1,) our chapel was opened for publick worship. The services commenced at six o'clock, A. M., with read-chapel. ing the Scriptures and prayer; when the friends present designated this house of God by the name "Union Chapel," at the same time intimating their cordial wishes for the prosperity of this hill of Zion, and their sincere hopes that many of the Aborigines will, ere long, unite in church-fellowship with them. At nine o'clock, the Rev. C. Fraser, the Dutch clergyman of Beaufort district, preached in Dutch, from 2 Chron. vi. 20. A crowded congregation of Dutch farmers, English, Hottentots, Caffers, and Mantatees, had assembled, and were seated promiscuously, all uniting in solemn worship; so that the chapel might be said, on this occasion, to have answered to its name. This spectacle produced on my mind the most pleasing sensations, and at last so overcame me, that I was unable to lead the singing; and my dear brother Barker was in a similar predicament. The whole seemed as a glimpse of heaven upon earth. At eleven o'clock, brother Robson The chapel being now finished, I propose opening a school for the Hottentot children (many of them, at present, wandering about the streets idle,) which will be a means, I trust, of preventing them from being led astray by designing people, who are always on the watch to lead them into evil. I have made some preparations, and hope, in the course of a few days, to have a group of interesting native children around me: a situation this, which I would not exchange for any other whatsoever. [Lon. Evan. Mag. SOUTHERN AFRICA. preached from 1 Chron. xxix. 9, FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR. KAY, to the English, or rather in English; for in this town there are many Hottentots who are able to read and speak English very well, and a third part of his congregation consisted of Hottentots. Brother Barker preached at two o'clock, P. M., in Dutch, from Isaiah xxx. 20, 21, to a very great concourse of people; and in the evening, brother Foster preached in English, from Psal. xlviii. 8, when numbers were obliged to return disappointed, there being no place left unoccupied, and many standing outside. Perhaps, however, the greatest proof of the deep interest taken in the cause in which I labour, may be deduced from the liberal manner in which the people contributed on this occasion: METHODIST MISSIONARY. I have this day witnessed a striking proof of the great change which christian principles have effected in a Caffre, who was baptized some time ago by the Rev. Mr. Ross, of the Glasgow Missionary Society. He had recently detected one of his countrymen in stealing three head of cattle from him. It is customary in such cases, when the theft is clearly ascertained, to lay the whole before the chief; who, without any ceremony, often deprives the offender of his whole herd at once; and the offended is stimulated to injure him, to the very utmost of his power, by a hope of obtaining a share in his property proportioned to the spoils. But how marked the difference in this case! Although urged by his friends, as well as by the flagrancy of the crime, and the obstinacy of the criminal, to prosecute him to the utmost rigour of the law, he observed to me, in a truly christian spirit, "I have felt the great Word, and therefore do not wish to see my enemy punished; he is a poor man, with a few cattle, and a large family; and if I bring him before his chief, it will ruin him; I only wish him to give me my own, but he refuses to do this!" dens; whilst many other parts of the country have been exceedingly parched. [Par. Bap. Mag. EAST INDIES. CALCUTTA. Letter from the Rev. Messrs. Tra- 22, 1827. Honoured Fathers and Brethren, As some events of an interesting nature have occurred since we last had the pleasure of address On the 21st of July, we visited Rammakalchoke, and were happy to find that Geredhor, a person of the village, who is a regular attendant on the means of grace, had destroyed his family idol. As the circumstances connected with this event may be gratifying, we shall here notice them. Mr. Brownlee informs us, that a considerable assemblage of the natives took place not far from his house, a few weeks ago, with a rain-maker in the midst of them, and for the professed purpose of making rain. Upon perceiving it, Mr. B. and his assistant immediately repaired to the spot, and re-ing you, we shall state them in this monstrated with the people respect- epistle in the order of time in which ing the folly of such a mode of they took place. proceeding; insomuch that their leader became exceedingly angry, and declared before them all, that there would now be no more rain, seeing that the missionaries had driven it away. Nevertheless, the latter continued to exhort them not to suffer themselves to be deluded any longer by their old system; but to make their wants known in prayer to God, from whom alone cometh both the early and the latter rains. On the following Sab-mestic idol to heal her, making a bath-day the house was crowded during the hours of prayer; and to the utter astonishment of the people, and confusion of the pretender, it pleased divine Providence to to send them copious showers that very evening. When it is remembered that continued drought, at this season of the year, is considered-death carried off this relative one of the greatest curses that can be inflicted on the land, and fertilizing showers the greatest blessings, we cannot but admire the goodness of God, who hath this year also made our Mission villages like unto well watered gar About a week prior to our visit to the village, this man's aunt was taken ill, and he prayed to his do vow that he would offer a buffalo in sacrifice should his aunt recover. The prayers and the vow were both unavailable, for the woman died. A few days after, his first cousin was seized with affliction: he again applied to his domestic oracle for relief, but help was sought in vain likewise. The man enraged at the stupid idol, who had refused to hear his cries in such a season of calamity, declared that Punchanund, the family god, was destitute of power. He therefore forthwith took it down from its seat, bound it up with the corpse, and proceeded to the place In returning from Rammakal- || choke, the sights on the banks of the Milla were horrible beyond description; dead bodies, some whole, and others partly consumed, were lying quite exposed, presenting the most ghastly appearances imaginable. Oh, when will the happy period arrive, when these appalling effects of idolatry shall entirely disappear? We passed through a field also which was quite a Golgotha; skulls and human bones were lying about in all directions. Awful proofs these, that sin reigns unto death! Opening of the Chapel at Ramma kalchoke. This building was opened for divine service on the 7th of Nov. The deputation, Messrs. Tyerman and Bennet, and several other friends from Calcutta, were present on the occasion. After travelling to Thakerpoker, a village about six miles from Kidderpore, we were conveyed in our little canoes about three miles over the rice fields (those fields being more than six months in the year under water.) Arriving at the village, we took breakfast in the school-room. The sight of so many foreigners was, indeed, a great novelty to the inhabitants of the place. After singing an English hymn, and soliciting the Divine blessing on the engagements of the day, we proceeded to the chapel. The services were conducted by Messrs. Pearson, Pif fard, Ray, Gogerly, Trawin, and two native preachers, Ramhurree, and Lurup. At the morning service there was an attentive congregation. In the afternoon the chapel and the doors were all crowded to excess; and we cannot but hope that many salutary impressions were made both upon the Christian and heathen auditors. In looking back upon the interesting occasion which brought us together, we are constrained to exclaim, "God hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad." We have been permitted to see the first chapel in this benighted land, that has been raised out of the ruins of an idolatrous temple. Oh! may the victorious Saviour go forth conquering and to conquer; until of all the idol temples in India, there shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. The erection of the chapel, besides the materials of the old temple, has cost 1270 sicca rupees, which the friends of the cause here, with their usual liberality, have enabled us to defray. [Lon. Evan. Mag. SERMON, FROM JOHN X. 16. under the influence, it is supposed, || EXTRACT FROM REV. T. RAFFLES' of the Maronites, and other Roman Catholics. Not only are calumnies circulated against the Missionaries, but the Patriarch curses and excommunicates those who maintain any intercourse with them, even the poor who receive their alms! The same Roman Patriarch has also seized a young convert; and has kept him in prison in the con vent, now for more than a year; he often causes his victim to be beaten, and compels him to undress and to pass the night in the cold; limiting his sustenance to the smallest portion of bread and water which will prevent him from dying he assembles the Monks daily round the prisoner to insult him, and allows him neither to read nor write. : Delivered to the Juvenile Societies in aid of the London Missionary Society, May 7, 1827. Speaking of the present condition of the Gentile world, he observes : "We are too apt to confine our views to the enlightened country in which we live, and the polished circles in which it is our happiness to move. Fixed by the good Providence of God on this bright spot, where the light of the Gospel shines so gloriously, we think not of the millions that sit in the region of the shadow of death, and the immeasurable realms of darkness that lie out stretched beyond. Yet there are lands where altars rise stained' with human gore-lands where the The Mussulmans are tolerable Crescent of the false prophet gleams quiet; but they avail themselves of in moral pestilence and spiritual. all opportunities to fill their purses. || death-lands where Anti-christ sits This is the manner of effecting their enthroned, and superstition holds purpose: when any one begins to the human mind in bondage-lands read the Scriptures, or to visit the where infidelity triumphs, and Missionaries, those of his sect go where a false and spurious Christo the Mussulman Judge, doubtless tianity deludes its votaries with a with a present in their hands, and name to live while they are dead. beg him to cause such an one to We know, says John, that the whole be punished: the poor man has no world lieth in wickedness. Ah! what apprehension of the mischief, till an affecting picture is this of the cona Turk meets him in the street and dition of mankind! Lieth in wickedtells him that he is condemned to buy ness, like a man fallen, and wounded, for example 100lb. of soap of the and weltering in his blood. The manufacture of the Pacha, at three world is a vast hospital, full of moral livres per lb., whereas the just infection and disease-an immense price is but one livre: if he re- mausoleum-an extended charnelfuses, they put him into prison, and house-a valley of dry bones;—all there beat him till he consents to around is the stillness and the desolation of spiritual death; not a limb pay. en the This Roman Patriarch has giv-moves-not a pulse beats-not a Missionaries and other breast heaves-not a voice is utterChristians, the name of "Bibli-ed-not a sigh escapes, to indicate cals;" a new word, which denotes a follower of the Bible. At Tripoli, there is a Greek Bishop who favours the Missionaries and their schools, and does all in his power to engage all men to read the Scriptures. [Lit. & Evan. Mag. the presence of spiritual life, or warrant the hope of resuscitation. Merciful God! and can these dry bones live? Is it not madness to prophesy on them, and to preach to them the Gospel? Who but a maniac or a fanatic would go on a Mission to the slumbering dust on the plains of Waterloo, or the bones piled up in the catacombs of Paris? But there standeth one at the mouth of this vast sepulchre, at the head of this dreary vale, who stood at the grave of Lazarus; and while at his command we prophesy upon these dry bones, and say, O dry bones! hear ye the word of the Lord, His Spirit breathes upon the slain that they may live. Already there seems to be a shaking amongst the bones; bone seems cleaving to its kindred bone, and limb to its fellow limb; and, ere long, this vale of death shall become the theatre of life; and an exceeding great army start up to celebrate the praises of the living God!" The concluding paragraphs are most animating and impressive. "And shall I be taking upon myself too much, if I venture to suggest to my honoured brethren, who may have but recently entered on the Christian ministry, or may be engaged in studies preparatory to it, the importance of identifying themselves with the Missionary cause from the commencement of their publick labours, and of binding themselves to its interests with their ordination vows?-for cold, and heartless, and insipid, must that ministry be, which is animated by no spark of Missionary fervour; and Icabod, thrice written, may be inscribed on the doors of that sepulchre of a sanctuary, from which the Missionary cause is banished. For myself-so completely do I feel it entwined and associated with all that is efficient and refreshing in my work, that I should deprecate the least decline in my feeling of attachment to it, as one of the greatest calamities that could befal me. To outlive this feeling would be to outlive usefulness; my and rather than this should happen, I would beg of God to hide me in the grave. Of this cause I must ever say-If I forget thee, let my right hand forget its cunning! "But remember that the cause is God's, and he only can command success. He will despise and reject our efforts and our contributions, if we engage in them without a humble dependence on his aid— not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord. Hence the necessity of fervent and perpetual prayer, and in proportion as the spirit of prayer is poured out upon the people of God for this great cause, are they authorised to be sanguine in their expectation of its speedy and universal triumph. The cause is of God, and it must prevail. Despair-defeat !-these are things not to be contemplated for a moment in connexion with it. The spiritual temple which he is raising from the ruins of the fall, is established on the rock of ages, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Amid the fluctuations of empires, the conflicts of nations, the intrigues of cabinets, the shock of arms, the sneers of infidelity, and the vauntings of Antichrist-amid the vicissitude and the instability of all human things— while the Babylons, the Tyres, and the Ninevahs, of every age, vanish from the face of the earth, that once resounded with their fame, this edifice shall rise, developing to succeeding ages its fair proportions, and still increasing in loveliness and beauty, till the top-stone is brought forth with shoutingsGrace, grace unto it. MISSIONARY QUALIFICATIONS. The following thoughts, addressed by the American Board of Commissioners, "to those who may become candidates for Missionary employment, and to their friends who may be called upon for advice and testimonials," we consider as entitled to consideration, and fully justified by experience; we therefore with pleasure transfer them to our pages. 1. Let those, who think of personally going forth to the heathen as heralds of divine mercy, sit down |