REVIEW. lumes, especially when we understood that the writer was a son of the venerable Author of the selfinterpreting Bible, and a gentleman who had, some years since, intended himself to have spent his life as a Missionary to China. Such a disposition of heart was a necessary qualification for writing a history of Missions; nor have the expectations we had indulged been disappointed by the perusal of these interesting Volumes. It is indeed surprizing that a compilation of the scattered materials on this subject had not been sooner made, considering how much the public mind has, for the last twenty years, been occupied by Societies formed to conduct foreign missions, and the large sums of money consecrated to the undertaking; exceeding, perhaps, all others which had ever been attempted, both in the magnitude of its design, and its probable influence in promoting the present and future happiness of millions of our fellow-immortals, Such a work had indeed long engaged the mind, and occupied the labours of the late excellent and lamented Samuel Pearce; but his premature death prevented its accomplishment. The work before us professes to be a history of Christian Missions among the Heathen since the Reformation; we were, therefore, not surprized that there was no account of the Popish Missions. We are, however, of opinion, notwithstanding the christianity they propagated was of a spurious kind, that a well-written history by a Protestant, of the College De propaganda fide, founded at Rome, 1622, by Gregory XV. and others of a similar class, would be a valuable work, especially at the present period. If protestant missionaries were not instructed by the measures dopted to convert the heathens of the Roman Catholics aSiam, Tonquin, Cochin, China, Persia, and India; they may be taught by the enemies they brought upon themselves to avoid the jealousies and envies which existed between those who were called the "priests of the foreign Missions," and the "Society of Jesuits." They may learn not to imitate the public reproaches they heaped upon each other; as also all the politieal craft, and carnal maxims which they adopted to bring proselites to their several standards: making them, it is to be feared, christians in name only, while they remained pagans at heart. May none of the Protestant Missionaries ever "meddle with affairs of State," as did the Jesuits in Abyssinia, and for which they were expelled the country. May they never be accused (as were the Jesuits by the Emperor when banished from Japan in 1587) "that under pretence they had united his subjects aof teaching the way of salvation, gainst himself, and taught them treason instead of religion." into eleven chapters; our readers Dr. Brown's history is divided will judge of its importance by the enumeration of the titles. viz. Propagation of Christianity by the Swiss-by the Swedes in Lapland by the Dutch in Ceylon, Java, Amboyna, Formosa-by the AngloAmericans in Massachuset's colony, Martha's Vineyard, New Plymouth colony, New Stockbridge, New Jersey, Onieda-by the Danes in the East Indies, and in Greenland by the United Brethren, in Greenland, in the West Indies, in North America, South America, Tartary, Persia, Egypt, Labrador, Nicobar Islands, Cape of Good Hope by the Methodists in the West Indies-by the Baptists in the East Indies-by the London Missionary Society in the South Sea Islands, South Africa, East Indies, China, Demarara-by the Edinburgh Missionary Society in the Susoo Country, and in Tartary -by the Church Missionary Society and a valuable Appendix of all the Translations of the Sacred Scriptures. This is the best list of Translations ever published. It would be gratifying to give our readers, would the limits of our work allow, copious extracts from Dr. Brown's History; especially from that part of it which relates to the United Brethren. The unexampled zeal, and upparalleled sufferings of these faithful servants of Christ, are well worthy the attention of all whose minds are directed towards Missionary labours. Their dangers and hardships in Greenland, Labrador, and among the Savages in America, have perhaps been seldom equalled. His account of the Baptist and London Missionary Societies appears to be fairly and candidly drawn from the "Periodical Accounts,' and the "Missionary Transactions." The Author is indeed severely censured by a Reviewer in the Evangelical Magazine for writing con amore towards the Baptists! The Reviewer may rest satisfied that no one will suspect him of having done so ! The Pamphlet entitled a "Review of Dr. Brown's History, &c. &c. from the Edinburgh Christian Instructor;" contains a spirited and well-written vindication of the Doctor, from the illiberal attack of the Evangelical Reviewer. We recommend this little piece to our readers on account of the interesting compendium it gives of the Moravian, Baptist, and London Missionary Societies. They will find in it a larger proportion of Missionary Narrative, and anecdotes, than in any other publication of the price. It is well calculated also to excite and regulate exertions for the spread of the gospel among the Heathen for these reasons we feel obliged to those who reprinted the Review in a separate pamphlet; which, as well as Dr. Brown's History, we hope will have an extensive circulation. Help to Zion's Travellers, being an attempt to remove various stumbling blocks out of the way, relating to doctrinal, experimental, and practical Religion, by Robert Hall, (late of Arnsby.) Button, &c. 3s. 6d. This small, but invaluable treatise was first printed in 1780. The following reason is assigned by the venerable author for complying with the request of his brethren, in its publication, "Having been greatly perplexed with most of the difficulties referred to, I am not without hope, that the communication of what has been relieving to my own mind, may be of use to others in similar exercises, through the blessing of God, which it is earnestly desired may attend every reader." The first edition was very incorrectly printed, but the second in 1807, was much improved, and has an excellent preface by Dr. Ryland, who thus happily expresses the nature and design of the work. "This little volume contains an able vindication of the genuine doctrines of grace, from the objections of Socinians, Sabellians, Arminians, and Antinomians. At its first publication, it was much approved by many pious, judicious, and learned men, of different denominations; and here, that excellent man, who is now labouring in India, with such indefatigable zeal, for the salvation of the heathen, first found his own system of divinity.Perplexed between the statements of the Arminians, and the crudest representations of Calvinism, by persons bordering closely on Antinomianism, Mr. CAREY searched the scriptures for himself, endeavouring to find out the narrow way between extremes, which seemed irreconcileable to the honour of the divine government, and the glory of divine grace; and this was the first summary of evangelical truth, which appeared to him fully to accord with the sacred standard." The present edition is enriched by an additional preface from the pen of Mr. Hall, of Leicester; which concludes with a sentiment not less honourable to his filial feelings, than to the memory of his pious father. "Gratitude and veneration compel me to add, that I shall ever esteem it one of the greatest favours an indulgent Providence has conferred upon me, to have possessed such a father, whom, in all the essential features of character, it will be my humble ambition to imitate, though conscious it must ever be ...... haud passibus æquis!! Information of works in hand from Theological Writers will be inserted under this article. The second edition of Scripture Illustrated, in reference to Natural Hisfory, Geography, Manners, and Customs, &c., by the editor of Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible, which has Mr. Bellamy, the author of The History of all Religions; the Ophion, in refutation of the opinion of Dr. A. Clarke, and Biblical Criticisms; has undertaken to edit a quarterly periodical, entitled, The Biblical Journal, wherein all the objections advanced by the ancient and modern deists, will be refuted, strictly abiding by the literal translation of the sacred original, To be published March 31st, 1815. We also understand that his new translation of the Scriptures from the original Hebrew, will be sent to press, as soon as the subscription is filled up. THE NATIVE IRISH.-A Memorial on behalf of the Native Irish, with a view to their improvement in moral and religious knowledge, through the medium of their own language, will be published in the course of the present month, by Christopher Anderson, Edinburgh. Mr. James Wyld has nearly ready for publication, a new Map of the World, exhibiting at one view the Extent, Population, Civilization, and To be Religion, of each country. printed on one large sheet of Columbier. T. Kidd's second volume of Family and Village Sermons, already announced as in the press, is expected to appear this month; together with a new and improved edition of the former volume. A large importation of foreign Divinity has recently been received from the continent by Ogles, Duncan, and Cochran, 295, Holborn. Catalogues will be ready in a few days. MISSIONARY RETROSPECT, AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE BAPTIST MISSION. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Chater to Dr. Ryland. Columbo, April 12, 1814. The four last Lord's day mornings I have been to the house of a respec table native, who appears like another Cornelius. He is not only much concerned about religion himself, but has used his best endeavours to bring his family and neighbours to the same state of mind also. In natural dispo sition he appears one of the most sincere, open-hearted, ingenuous persons, for an Eastern, that I ever met with. He knows nothing of English, hut I converse with him a little both in Portuguese and Cingalese. In conveying instruction to him, and 14 or 15 more, that he collects at his house, I have the help of an interpreter, a young man, who is his nephew; and one of the best qualified persons for this work that I have ever met with. They receive me with every expression of gladness and gratitude they know how to discover; and are already talking of preparing a suitable place for public worship in their neighbourhood; which is nearly 2 miles from the fort where we live. Extracts of a Letter from a Native of Banbury to his Parents there. Fort William, March, 4, 1814. Dear Parents, I have, since I wrote last, altered my course of life. I was brought to a deep sense of my guilt and wickedness about twelve months ago; I hope the Lord hath begun a good work in me, and do you pray to the Lord to continue it to the end. I have felt the weight of my sins, and the Lord says, Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. How happy ought you to be to think you are in a gospel country, there cannot be any excuse that you cannot hear the word of God explained. In this country we are surrounded by the poor benighted heathens, who are falling upon their knees to worship images made with their own hands. Pray for them that they may be brought to the light of the gospel. It does flourish greatly in this country. It would be a great grief to me to hear that any of you die in your natural state, for the word of God says, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye cannot enter the kingdom of God. What joyful news it would be to me to hear that my friends had received the grace of God, for without it you can have no hope of happiness in this world, nor that which is to come. For behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. I hope yon have fled to the Lord Jesus for refuge: I hardly ever go to a throne of grace, but I pray for the conversion of my friends. Send me word if my brothers follow the ways of the Lord. Wishing you more than this world can give or take away, I remain, with love to you all, your affectionate son, J. POTTENGER. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Lawson to Mr. Ivimey. Serampore, Aug. 12, 1814. Krishno is a good old man: intelligent and venerable in his appearance. He has lately had a paralytic stroke, which has taken a great deal of vivacity from his countenance. He is a lively preacher, and as far as I know, he adorns his profession. His family. are a trial to him, and have, I believe, all gone back again to the world. Sebukram is a good man, extremely useful in Calcutta, a very good singer. The native preachers, and all the native converts, are greatly exposed to temptation. They particularly need the prayers of the churches, and I wish you would commend them to the the consideration of our dear praying friends in England. The converts are in very peculiar circumstances. They have a thousand times more to draw them away than you in England can conceive; and we cannot expect in them that strength of resistance, and that energy of piety to overcome temptation, which we see manifested where much light is given, and the principles of christianity well understood, as amongst you at home. Our friends should earnestly pray for those of the heathens who have put on Christ. I think the work of the Redeemer goes on prosperously in these parts. Never was India more elated with joy than now; we have heard of the peace: we wonder and adore. We all constantly read the Newspapers at Serampore. This I never did when in England: but now we love to hear of our native place. We feel a deep interest in every thing going on in that favoured spot, the sweetest spot in all the world-the land of my birth. Yours, &c. J. LAWSON. AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. The Association of Christians for the purpose of raising funds by small weekly contributions, is, we trust, becoming general in our churches. Considerable sums have, in this way, been already collected, and the spirit excited and kept alive among the younger persons in our congregations, is likely to be productive of the most beneficial results, in forming them for active service in the Redeemer's cause. It has been well observed that 66 few persons consider how vast would be the product of subscriptions, even of a penny a weck, if carried to a large extent. Twenty persons, exerting themselves to procure among their respective friends, twelve subscriptions of one penny each, would raise fifty-two pounds in a year." It may serve to stimulate to such exertions, if it be considered that such a sum will be sufficient to support four native preachers in India! How small the benevolence of exertion and of contribution required! How vast the benefits communicated to the heathen by it! The following scale is submitted to shew the great productiveness of penny subscriptions: Persons collecting. per week. per year. £. s. d. 2 12 0 540 716 0 10 8 13 0 0 26 0 0 52 0 0 We recommend it especially to our female friends to exert themselves in this way. May each and all of them who engage in this labour of christian love, have the approbation of conscience now, and at last of the Saviour's saying," she hath done what she could." · CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Several missionaries have been recently sent by this Society to Western Africa: who, we trust, ere now have reached the place of their destination. They were in all seven persons, viz. The Rev. J. C. Sperrhacken, Mrs. Hartwig; Mr. and Mrs, Hughes; Je lorum Harrison, a young African; and Thomas Morgan, a native boy, com mitted to the care of the Society by governor Maxwell. Mr. Sperrhacken, having been appointed to assist Mr. Nylander in the Bullom Mission, both he and his wife applied themselves, on the passage, to the study of the elementary books published in the Bullom language, and availed themselves of the assistance of one of the crew, a native of Bullom. The outfit of the above persons, with the stores requisite for the support of the settlements, and the maintenance of the African children, amount to upwards of 30001. The African Missions must for many years be attended with considerable expense. On the night of the 6th of February, died at Broxbourne, Herts. the Rev. Claudius Buchanan, D. D. where he was superintending an edition of the Syrian New Testament, for the use of the Syrian Christians in the East. The Christian Researches in Asia," and other works of this zealous minister, relative to India, have contributed greatly to the general interest now expressed by the British public to ameliorate the condition of our fellow subjects on that continent, by sending them the word of life, given for the healing of the nations. THE [LONDON] MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Designation of Missionaries. On Wednesday, the 28th Dec. 1814, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Barker, Mr. Wil liams, and Mr. Hamilton, were set apart to the work of missionaries, at Silver Street Chapel. The first of these is intended for Malacea; the three latter, together with Mr. Evans, lately ordained at Carmarthen, are intended for Latakoo, and other places in Africa. RUSSIA. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Paterson to the Edinburgh Bible Society, dated the 26th of October, 1814. "The Petersburgh Bible Society has received great acquisition of strength at our last Committee Meeting, on the 21st current,-a Russian, a Georgian, and an Armenian Archbishop were present. We are busily employed in printing the Persian New Testament, translated by Mr. Martyn, |