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And oh! who will not unite in this prayer? One more stroke, such as has thrice been felt in Bombay, in the short space of sixteen months, would silence, utterly, the voice of Christian preaching among the numerous population of that city. The general curiosity, which, for twelve years, has been waking up, would again become the apathy of death. The schools would decline, and the scholars forget their knowledge, lose their impressions, and glide away in the current of superstition, until, borne beyond the possibility of recovery, they would sink to rise no more. The books, which have been translated, printed, and circulated, with so much labor, and pains, and cost of health and talent and life, for want of the living voice to call attention to them, and impress a sense of their value, would be neglected and lost and destroyed. Congregations would cease to convene for religious worship; and the native, wondering what had become of the holy influence, that met him in the streets, and bazars, and temples, and fields, and every where, would pursue his idolatry as aforetime, before the light of heaven broke in upon his darkness. Already, may we suppose, has the current begun to set backwards; and every month, and every day, it gains strength!*

The fact of principal interest, in regard to the CEYLON mission, which has been communicated the past year, is, that the mission church now contains not less than ninety native members;-many possessing fine minds; several considerably advanced in learning; some useful preachers of the Gospel to their countrymen; and all hopefully pious, and, amid temptations such as we by experience know nothing of, adorning their profession by a Christian life. We have been informed, also, that the prospect, at first dark and forbiding, has become hopeful, of raising the females of Ceylon from their deep degradation to their proper standing in society.-Happy, moreover, have we been to hear, that minds, which, only a few years since, valued caste at so high a rate, and knowledge at so low, that money would hardly induce them to forego the one for the sake of the other, now cheerfully disregard caste, and earnestly petition for the pleasures of enlightened thought.

From PALESTINE, during the early part of the year, we heard little but weeping, because Fisk, that ornament to the missionary character, had ceased to be seen on earth. Here, too, we could not but weep, when the beautifully simple letter of his surviving brethren, describing his last sorrows and pains, was received; and we heard the voice of lamentation, as that letter travelled through the churches. We trusted in God, however, who permitted Stephen, and even some of the apostles, to be cut off early in their ministry, in that very land, that the mission would not only survive, but prosper. Yet we dared not to anticipate such early and such strong impressions upon the corrupt and ignorant priesthood of Syria, as those concerning which we are now permitted to speak. It now appears, that a spirit of inquiry is waking up again in the ancient birth-place of Christianity, and is beginning to run with so strong a tide, that it is not likely, if these western churches do their duty, that the powers of earth and hell combined, will be able to stop it.

The intelligence from the mission among the CHEROKEES, has been, on the whole, of a more decisive and cheering character, than in any former years -if we except, perhaps, the one immediately preceding. We have had

It may be remarked here, that the sole reason, hitherto, why the mission at Bombay has not been more strongly reinforced, has been the want of suitable persons, who have been willing to be sent thither. Even now, notwithstanding the urgency of the case, the difficulties of this kind seem hard to be removed. And they are increased by a want of adequate funds. Oh, where is the spirit of apostolic enterprise!

* See a subsequent part of this number.

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more proof, that Indians, properly situated, can be civilized, than has ever before been exhibited, since this country was settled by our fathers. Agriculture having made considerable advances, and government having assumed a definite form, under the influence of Christian principles, the general mind of the Cherokees has felt the same cravings for knowledge, that we do ourselves; and, during the past year, we have heard of their spirited efforts to procure, for their own use, a printing establishment, and to lay the foundations of a national academy.

Passing over the other missions among the Indians, for want of room to notice them properly, we come to the SANDWICH ISLANDS, which have occupied much of our attention, during the period now under review.

We felt, in the years previous to the one just closed, that the intelligence from this mission was by no means without high interest. Nor were we in an error. The dealings of Providence towards that mission, have been wonderful from the first. But the intelligence of the past year has transcended all that the most sanguine, even when warmed with former accounts, dared to expect.

Within this space of time, we have been told of nine chiefs, embodying a great portion of the civil influence of the islands, publicly professing their faith in Christ, and heartily entering upon the discharge of their duties towards God and their fellow-men. We have been told of half a score of churches, and more, erected by the natives themselves, for the worship of Jehovah, and crowded with attentive hearers. We have been told, by one who witnessed the sight, of more than 2,000 islanders, moving along in one interesting procession, bearing on their shoulders, from distant mountains, the materials for one of these churches, which, when completed, could contain 4,000 people, and was thronged to overflowing. We have been told of near 20,000 people under instruction, taught by competent natives, whom the missionaries had qualified for the service-of more than 12,000, able to read the word of God, were that blessed volume ready to be put into their hands-and of a most longing desire, every where expressed, to come into speedy possession of that richest treasure. We have been told of the effusions of the Holy Spirit at Honoruru, at Lahaina, and in different parts of Hawaii; and that, as the results of these heavenly visitations, more than 2,000 islanders, lately shrouded in the deep glooms of a barbarous paganism, have erected the family altar, for the morning and evening worship of the true God. We have been told of regular meetings for prayer among the females and among the males of those islands, just as there are among ourselves when religion flourishes; and of the high satisfaction, with which the once haughty and cruel chiefs mingle with those, whom they once despised and oppressed, in the solemn acts of devotion.

We have heard of changes in the characters of individuals, which, though great and surprising, cannot now be fully described. We remember the intemperate Karaimoku, regent of the islands, transformed into a sober, humble follower of Jesus-the conceited, haughty, jealous, cruel queen Kaahamanu, whose forbearance and lenity the affrighted natives, wherever she went, used to propitiate by peace offerings, as if she were a demon; now as actively benevolent, as she was once actively cruel; and as devoted to God, as she was once to Satan-and Kapiolani, also a chief woman, once intemperate, and the slave of every moral debasement that a vicious barbarism has attained to; now, reformed, intelligent, pious, actively benevolent, and with manners so improved, that civilized society would not blush to own her for its own.

Nor have we heard, the past year, of changes less wonderful in the manners and habits of villages, than of individuals. At Lahaina, not long since, scarcely any thing could be kept from the rapacity of thieves, who were as numerous as the inhabitants themselves. Locks, guards, the utmost vigilance, every precaution, were ineffectual. But, as we have been told the past year; so great has been the moral change in that place, that, for successive months, although every thing was exposed, and nothing was guarded, and hundreds of natives were entering the missionary's habitation every day; nothing, absolutely nothing, was lost. At Kaavaroa, on Hawaii, a little more than two years ago, the people were opposed to Chistianity, given to inebriation, quarrelsome, often engaged in domestic broils, and grovelling in the lowest ignorance and debasement. But within a few months we have been informed, on authority not to be questioned, that intoxication is no longer witnessed in that place; that there are no more family quarrels; that family prayers are uniformly attended; that kind offices are every where rendered; and that, from remote villages, individuals come to inquire respecting the new way, and with tears beseech that some one may be sent to instruct them. And so far had the people of this village advanced, that we were not surprised to hear of their forming a society to support their missionary, and that, from their "deep poverty," they had contributed for this purpose a greater value, than is ordinarily contributed for missions in our own

towns.

Without dwelling longer on the intelligence communicated respecting this mission, we pass to a department of missionary effort, which has scarcely been alluded to in this retrospective view, and yet has not been overlooked in the statements of the year. We refer to the PRINTING ESTABLISHMENTS. Saying nothing of former years, we have heard, within a little more than the space of time now under review, of three millions and a half of pages, made living and efficacious by the religious truth impressed upon them at Malta, and Bombay, and the Sandwich Islands:—which is nearly half as many as have been printed in all the preceding years. We have heard, too, of the travels of these little eloquent messengers of truth-through the Sandwich Islandsover the populous Mahratta country-into Greece, and Asia Minor, and Syria, and Palestine-and into countries farther towards the rising sun: all calculated to produce the very best kind of intelligence known on earth, and adapted to act powerfully on the mind, elevating, enlarging, and strengthening it, and fitting it to live and move and act to some purpose on the stage of human life, and in the boundless spheres of eternity.-Oh who can tell how many fatal errors have been removed; and how many new, all-important, glorious views have been imparted!

Do not the events of the past year declare, with an impressive voice, that this cause is of God? And call they not loudly upon all to be co-workers with God, by contributing their aid to its advancement?

See we not, too, that money and labor, bestowed upon American missions to the heathen, have not been expended in vain? and that not in vain has prayer gone up to heaven?

And may we not perceive, that the cause is advancing with accelerated rapidity? The last year's intelligence was more interesting, than that of any previous year, and the last three years embrace more proofs of successful operation, than did the twelve that preceded. What if the progress for three, or six, or twelve years to come, should be like that of the three years past? Say you, it is more than we have reason to expect? So, twelve months ago, would what has since saluted our ears have appeared to us; and if the

good and animating intelligence, the past year, has exceeded what we had reason to anticipate, so may it be in time to come.

At any rate, the cause is of God. And though clouds may rise, and storms burst, yet let the churches but keep pace, in their efforts, with the plain indications of Providence, and ere long, the world will be filled with wonder at the extent and glory of the results.

REVIEW OF THE OTHER INTELLIGENCE OF THE YEAR.

THE facts, which will now pass in rapid review, are such as have been noticed in the past volume of the Missionary Herald. They are selected from the intelligence of the year, on account of their special interest.

From INDIA, the intelligence has been less abundant, than in some former years; but never, perhaps, more decisive in its bearing on the missionary question, as it respects that populous country. The current of improvement has become rapid enough to be seen, and strong enough to be resistless.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, England had but one newspaper, and was content with that. India has now six, in the languages of the country, designed solely for native readers, the product of native intelligence, and of native enterprise. And though the readers are comparatively few, and most of the papers of no great value, their existence is a fact, which the intelligent will regard as not unimportant.

North of Calcutta, far into the interior, in the populous city of Dinagepore, we have heard a missionary rejoicing over unequivocal proofs of the divine favor attendant on his labors: while a little to the south, at the preaching of some fishermen of that country, the inhabitants of a village have waked from their long sleep, torn their idol god from his temple, and presented him to a missionary of the cross; and were about to demolish the temple itself, and, from the materials, to erect a Christian chapel.

Farther to the south-west, at the well known Vizagapatam, we have heard, that the car of Juggernaut had so fallen in the general estimation, as, for a year, not to have made its customary appearance; and that its idols, regarded as no longer of value to the natives of the country, had been offered for sale to Christian. missionaries.

Still farther south, but on the same side of the peninsula, we have heard of results of missionary labor, which are still more animating. At Palamcottah, long the seat of missionary labors, the powerful effects of Christian influence had begun to be witnessed. In the course of the past year, we have been told of eleven hundred families, dispersed through more than 120 villages, which have forsaken idolatry, and renounced the distinctions of caste. In some villages, we were informed the idol temples had been converted into Christian churches; in others, they had been demolished. One village was particularly mentioned, where all the inhabitants, at their especial request, had been assembled for Christian instruction; while three other villages, incited by this example, had sought to be instructed in the same manner.

We have heard, also, from the Syrians, on the western side of the peninsula;those native Christians, for whom Buchanan waked up the sympathies of England and America; and we have seen, with pleasure, how, under the fostering patronage of the Church Missionary Society, they are gradually improving in doctrine, in discipline, and in practice.

At the commencement of the year, the most painful uncertainty hung over the fate of the missionaries in Burmah. Whether they were living; or, by disease, or starvation, or the hand of violence, had been removed from the world; no one presumed to conjecture, for there were no data, upon which to ground an opinion. Late in the year, however, through the wonderful providence of God, they emerged to light, and tidings from them has diffused universal joy.

The southern parts of Ceylon, as well as the northern, have also furnished the most pleasing intelligence. We have heard of whole parishes, in which are heathen temples, but no worshippers; and we have been told, by a missionary from that island, that a temple of Budhu had been offered by the natives for Christian worship, and that in proportion as the Bible had been circulated, the influence of caste had been destroyed. Twenty thousand people could read that blessed volume; and before the present year expires, it is expected, that one in fifty, speaking the Cingalese language, will, by the British and Foreign Bible Society, be supplied with the blessed volume.

MADAGASCAR has been noticed in our work only incidentally; but some of the missions in SOUTHERN AFRICA have passed under review. Among the Hottentots and the Caffres, the word of God, as we have learned, steadily gains influence. Respecting the former, their punctual attendance on the daily public exercises of devotion, their seriousness of demeanor while there, their readiness and liberality in contributing toward the temporal necessities and religious improvement of their brethren, and their orderly deportment and moral conduct at all the stations, evince, that the Gospel has come to them "not in word only, but in power." How flourishing the older stations among the Caffres must be, may be inferred from an account, received during the year, of one recently established, and named after the founder of Methodism. Before this station was formed, the people there assembled were naked, rambling on the mountains, murdering strangers, living on plunder, destitute of the word of life, unacquainted with the Sabbath. But fifteen months afterwards, as we learned from a respectable visitant of the station, this same people were collected into something like a civil society; most of them wore some clothing, and several were very decently clad; and all were taught to worship the true God, and to reverence his Sabbath. From their habitations, or from among the bushes of that wild region, the voice of prayer and of praise was every morning heard to ascend.

From MALTA, we have heard of near a million of pages, filled with pious matter, and issued from the English missionary press; in addition to the publications of our own similar establishment on that island.

From CONSTANTINOPLE, a report reached us, in the latter part of the year, founded on the declaration of the indefatigable Wolff, that 500 Jews in that city professed to believe in Christ as the Messiah. Intelligence from other sources, constrain to the opinion, that, at least, an active spirit of inquiry has been excited among the Jews of the Capital of the East;-an event as strange, as it is worthy of grateful observation.

The intelligence from RUSSIA, casts a shade over this picture of light and life; but it is neither deep, nor very portentous. For, the circumstances, under which the Russian Bible Society was suppressed, show, conclusively, that it had acted strongly on the public opinion of the nation, and had increased the amount of general intelligence, and had called forth an expression of it, in regard to the rights of the people, civil and religious. The seed, thus sown, will not be lost. Doubtless many streams have been made to break forth in the Siberian desert, which will never dry up; and the flow of opinion and feeling, thus begun, may continue and increase, till a flood of blessedness shall cover that vast empire.

A stronger and more painful sensation of alarm filled our minds, when we heard of the controversy in that greatest wonder and glory of the age, the BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY: and great was the satisfaction, with which we announced the suspension of the controversy, in a decision which must commend itself to all the lovers of revealed truth. The sturdy spirit of Scotland, which had been roused in the contest, seems not to have been wholly allayed; but we wait in calm expectation of a striking display, in the result, of providential wisdom.

From the dreary coasts of GREENLAND, where it would seem nothing short of Moravian benevolence and zeal could live and labor, we have heard of the triumphs of the Gospel. Delightful sight! to behold human nature so wrought upon by grace, that it can empty itself, in humble imitation of the Lord Jesus, and fly from the lights of science, and from the comforts and consolations of civilized and Christian life, to polar snows, and frost, and barbarism, that it may bring to the knowledge of the truth, and to the bliss of heaven, a race of men overlooked by all the world beside! And these benevolent men have not labored in vain. They have founded a Christian church in Greenland; and with sweet transport they now listen to the high praises of God, as they ascend from those icy cliffs to heaven.

From the young, but growing republics of SPANISH AMERICA, a messenger of the churches has, during the past year, returned with good tidings:-not, indeed, that a wide door and effectual, is opened to the ministers of a pure religion; not that numerous souls in those extended regions are rejoicing beneath the effusions of the Holy Spirit;-but that a vast amount of mind has broken from the shackles of ages; that intelligence is springing into life and activity; and that public opinion, all over that land, has felt the pulsations of liberty, has heard the com મ

VOL. XXIII.

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