Religious Miscellany. No. 4. "Say ye to the daughter of Zion, behold, thy salvation cometh " From the London Missionary Register. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Dr. Milne's Exposition in Chinese of the Epistle to the Ephesians. The late Dr. Milne transmitted to the Di rectors the following outline of this Exposition; on which “he appears," as they justly remark, "to have spared no pains, in order to render it acceptable and satisfactory, so far as relates to the explanation and illustration of the text, to the inquisitive heathen." We quote it, as an example and stimulus to other Missionaries who may be situated among in telligent heathens. 1. A SHORT PREFACE, explaining the principles on which the exposition is constructed, commences the book. 2. A COPIOUS INTRODUCTION, containing a sketch of the writer of the Epistle of the city of Ephesus-of the first establishment of a Church there the time, place, and occasion of writing the Epistle. Vol. II. cessary in future, as the Chinese become acquainted with divine truth, and as theological works on particular subjects increase. This will account for the length and copiousness of the Notes. 4. A PARAPHRASE, following generally in the order of the verses as they lie, and connecting the sense of the whole. 5. A PRACTIAL IMPROVEMENT of the chief truths contained in the paragraph explained, follows; the object of which is, to apply the doctrine of of the reader. the text to the heart and conscience 6. There are some MARGINAL REFERENCES at the top of the page, according to the Chinese custom of margins; but these are not numerous. 7. For the sake of adopting the work for use in the closet and the family, the Epistle is divided into FORTY-FOUR PARAGRAPHS; each paragraph having its explanatory notes, embracesparaphrase, and improvement, attach1. An abridged view of the cox-ed to it. A few supplementary senTENTS OF EACH CHAPTER, the contents being perfixed to their proper chap These prefatory matters being despatched, the work itself follows, which ter. tences, for the sake of connecting the present and precedin paragraphs, have peen thrown into the paraphrase, where they seemed necessary. 8 At the end of the volume is appended a SUMMARY OF THE WHOLE EPISTLE, divided into two parts, doctrinal and practical; which concludes the work. 2. The TEXT of the paragraph under consideration, in a large character, and written a line higher up the page than of the other parts. any 3. CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES, which are generally copious throughout; as there are in the Epistle The necessity of this full and minmany references to the Jewish econ-ute explanation may not be perfecly omy and the Grecian mythology, obvious to every person, at first which the readers cannot, as those in thought; but if it be considered that Christian countries, be supposed to be the heathen know nothing of Jewish previously acquainted with. Besides, antiquities, or of the sources from where the subject warranted it, a free-which Scripture language is borrowed, dom has been taken in illustrating or of the history of the countries borChristian doctrines and in combatting dering on Judea, or of the system of pagan errors; which will be less ne- Christian Theology, or of ecclesiasti cal History-if these things be duly considered, the necessity of a very full and particular explanation will be evident; especially if it be farther taken into account, that there are as yet no other books in the language, to which the heathen could be referred for information. In proportion as the other parts of the Exposition of the New Testament advance, the necessity of so very full and. particular a definition will diminish, as the reader can be referred to some preceding part of the work for the requisite information. good blocks will amount, I suppose to £50. The work contains about 86,000 characters; if to these the points and head lines be added, they will amount to 90,000. The expense of printing it with the defective font of moveable characters which we possess, would amount, I think, to much more than 4 times that sum; for there are 3 different sizes of letter, which would require as many different sizes of character: this would necessarily be very expensive. On the Chinese mode, the different sizes of character are all cut on the same block, by the same hand, with the same ease, and at nearly the same price. But indeed, in our circumstances, and with our views of the subject, we are fully satisfied that the Chinese method of printing is the most suitable to their language, and best adapted to our purposes. A USEFUL LESSON, By which the poor of America may learn contentment, and the rich see cause for humility, gratitude and liberality Extract of a letter from Mrs Goodell, at Malta, to a lady in Boston, dated March 28, 1823, pub. lished in the Boston, Recorder. With respect to the connexion, it would ill become me to say any thing. I, of course, conceive it calculated to be useful; or I would not have spent so much time and labor on it, nor would I now presume to offer it to a respectable body of Christ's ministers and disciples. But I am well aware how imperfect it is. May that God, for the promotion of whose blessed Gospel I wish humbly to dedicate it, graciously forgive its defects, and render it of some service to the interests of his Church in China! for I trust the day is coming, though it may not be near, when the "Church "There has recently been organized of Christ in China" shall be as coma Poor Society here for the relief of mon a phrase, as the "Church of the indigent, the blind, and the lame. Christ in Europe" now is. In the Monday I took an excursion with hope of this decided event, the "Ex-Mrs. Temple and two other ladies. position" has been written: and in We visited a number of hovels, dark the same hope I wish to go on, as he and dismal as the tomb. The first shall enable me, in preparing materi-object which arrested my attention als for the use of that, as yet future, Church. I am sensible that some may object to this, from a doubt of its IMMEDIATE necessity and utility; but it is difficult for a man to account for, and still more so, to go against the convictions and impressions of his own mind: and I hope, that, while was a poor blind woman, (I should think) 70 or 80 years old. She was absent when we knocked, two or three doors distant, where they are so kind as to afford her a seat and sometimes to a benevolent heart must be the give her a little of their coffee, which greatest pleasure, even if himself were looking forward to futuré ages, the in consequence shortened. We waitmore immediate duty of oral instruc-ed her return, which was only a tion is not neglected, according to the moment or two, when she entered led strength and opportunities affided. by a decent looking young man, who The expense of preparing a set of opened to us her door, and disclosed "The mission family are all in ex ABIGAIL P. GOODELL. The remarks which low, are from Bell's This is the month of the year, in the wretchedness within. She lives alone in a room not more than six feet cellent health, and desire an affecsquare; without windows and without || tionate remembrance to all Boston furniture; excepting an old straw friends. We are all engaged in stucouch, covered with rags, and a few dying Italian, Mr. Temple excepted, stone vessels upon one of which lay a who is now pursuing the Greek. bit of cabbage and some kind of vegAffectionately yours, etable. She receives from the Society a scude a month. Yet probably many a day she languishes for want of food. I wanted to inquire of her if she knew London Weekly Messenzer, for May, 1923, any thing of the compassionate Sav-and exhibit some facts truly gratifying Let iour, but could not, as I was ignorant || all who read them make their own comment. of her language. The Maltese language is a sort of corrupt Arabic.-which the Anniversaries of the great Leaving this place full of sad reflec- Public Charities in London, are genertions, we hastened to another, where ally celebrated. It will readily be adwe had to descend a number of steps mitted, that no capital can vie with our by the help of a light. The family own metropolis, in the number, the consisted of a widow with two small variety, the ample funds, and excelchildren. Their hovei was apparent-lent regulations, of its charitable inly under ground, and so dark during stitutions. The stream of London day, as to oblige them to use a lamp.benevolence flows in a channel, which, The mother was found sitting upon though deep and mighty, is no less the stairs, spinning cotten, with a cu-and unobtrustive. But though the rious little wheel. Her son goes out || patrons and directors of these estabin the morning, and perhaps earns a penny in the course of the day, and rests his head at night, not in the hovel, for there is not sufficient room; but in a church, or upon the stones of the street. Indeed it is very common here for the poorer classes to sleep in their boats, in the streets, and in the churches, at all seasons of the year. At another house was a widow with three little children. Her room adjoins a horse stable, and by taking care of a horse, she is enabled to pay for it. Here was neither bed, chair, or any kind of furniture. The state of the poor in Malta is very deplorable. Visiting their abodes, the pious heart is overwhelmed with compassion. We never think of walking the streets here, without being assailed by beggars more ragged and dirty than you can possibly conceive. But O, could they be cleansed in the blood of the Lamb, they would hereaftery surprising to consider how numer shine as stars in the firmament. lishments make no ostentatious display of their exertions in the cause of suffering humanity, their resources are always obvious and accessible to the sick, the poor, and the fatherless: and their gates are never closed upon any human calamity, however singular or peculiar it may be in its character and form. It is highly gratifying to be able to bring forward so rich a catalogue of mercy and benevolence, as the British metropolis displays. It is, indeed, so great in its extent, that when its several parts are collected together in and stretch imagination to a boundone of point of view, they fill the mind, less prospect: and cannot fail to create surprise. even amongst those who have been accustomed to make the largest estimate of the good feelings of our countrymen. It is, we say, tru ous these charities are, and how extensive and splendid are their funds, and 62 - British Munificence. how widely their friends and contri- || ous politician,or to the cold and selfish butors are spread in every part of the intriguer, that we must look for a charkingdom; that they are found in eve-itable hand and heart. True christian ry class of society from the highest to benevolence exists in the free-born the lowest; and that no differences, soul, which lives uncontaminated by civil, political, or religious, are allow-sordid habits, and sympathizes, under ed to obstruct the admission of any the instructions of our holy faith, and member into these large and compre-by the impulses of its natural warmth, hensive societies. In the language with all the common interests of huof the sacred writer, all are equally manity. addressed, "Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters." With such as are high in official rank,|| charitable subscriptions consume a very large portion of their regular income. Those also who are looked up to by the people as holding the largest stake in the possessions of the country, whether as landed proprietors, or as professional, or commercial men; all these persons, (we know that we speak with few exceptions,) enter their names cheerfully and eagerly on every call that is made, and rush forward with a liberality of mind which truly corresponds with the greatness of their means. Many might be mentioned, both private individuals, and official persons, who make a constant provision in their expenditure, for laying out from one to two thousand pounds per annum in charitable subscriptions. It is gratifying to be able to exhibit, in its true colors, the conduct of those persons who constitute the wealthiest clsses of society, and to be able to bear testimony to the generous warmth which actuates their piety and real patriotism. Those whom the inevitable condition of humanity has destined to a harder lot in this world, ought to know and see how great an interest is taken in their welfare by their more prosperous breathren; they ought to become acquainted and made familiar with names, which deserve to be enrolled in the annals of benevolence, not for their own satisfaction, but for the pride & example of prosperity. It is not the bustling and facti In the first class of charities, are those which are designed to instruct lower classes, and to disseminate the principles of Christianity, the basis of all moral truth, and all political establishments. In the support of these charities it may truly be said, that the "poor and rich meet together," and that there is no distinction of persons. It is, therefore, with pride, gratitude, and pleasure, that we are enabled to present to our readers, the following statement of the receipts during the last year, of some of these most valuable, most virtuous, and sacred institutions: Society for Promoting Christian knowledge, £53,729 9 S 1,600 0 0 32,975 97 26,883 5 6 29,437 13 4 7,192 18 5 2,040 4 2 10,689 13 8 5,372 5 6 9,261 3 0 514 11 10 Naval & Military B. S. supposes There are no more modern instances of carrying this, or the other severe laws against them into practice. We subjoin a further notice of this race, from a late English publication. "At a late meeting of the Calcutta Asiatic Society, Major Harriot pre sey tribe, the supposed migration of which he traces through various countries. In the province of Khorasaun the Gypsies are said to be numerous, Four and are called Karashmar. The origin of this tribe of vaga-sented a memoir respecting the Gypbonds, is matter of much dispute. The more prevalent opinion has been, that they were from Egypt; and the name they now bear derived from this fact. A German writer them to have come from Hindoostan, thousand of the Kaultee or Loolee and a learned Italian author, Mura-class were brought into Persia fourtorio, thinks they drew their origin teen hundred years ago, by Bairam from Walachia, or the neighboring Ghor, as musicians, from Kaubul, and countries. They seem to have been thence were subsequently scattered first noticed in Europe, about the be- over Iran, Syria and Egypt. The ginning of the 15th century-but ac- Nuth in India, the Kaulee in Persia, counts are contradictory. Their num- and the Gypsey in Europe, lead the ber has been estimated at from 700,000 same wandering life; and practise the to 800,000. They are described as same feats of dexterity, music, and lively, loquacious, fickle and incon- palmistry. Major Harriot remarks, stant in their pursuits, faithless, void that whether in England, Russia, of gratitude, revengeful, slavish when Sweden, Spain, Bohemia, Turkey, intimidated, cruel when unapprehen- Persia, Syria, or Egypt, we sive of danger, fond of finery and through language alone, still trace, dress, and much addicted to intoxi- with general accuracy, the oriental cating liquors. They are too lazy to feature and descent of this singular labor for food, and live on the vilest fraternity, although every vestige of substances, or whatever they can ac- tradition respecting their history is quire by theft. They are said, also, lost." to possess other traits of character, much more attrocious than those which have been mentioned. Laws have at various times been passed for their banishment, from most of the States of Europe; they still, however, retain, their places among the people, and continue their trade of petty pillage and deception. England has formerly, by a parliamentary act, declared their stay in the kingdom for 1 month, "felony without benefit of clergy;" & Sir M. Hale tells us that 13 were executed at one may N. Y. Rel. Chron. REVIVAL IN CHARLESTON. As we mentioned some weeks since, that the special operations of the Spirit of God were manifest in an unusual degree in this city, our readers are probably looking for further information upon this interesting subject. We are happy in being able to state that the evidence is accumulating, and abundantly satisfactory, that it is a genuine work of God. Its progress has been so silent as to exclude the possibility of its being a mere excitement of sympathy, and in many in |