time; and then, between the crossing, by way of interlude, they touch their forehead to the earth.

The people of Moscow celebrate the Jaque (Laster) with a degree of pomp and festivity unknown to the rest of Europe. The most splendid pageants of Rome do not equal the costliness and splendor of the Russian Church. Neither could Venice, in the midst of her Carnival, ever rival, in debauchery superstition, licentiousness and parade, what passes during this season in Moscow. It should first be observed, that there are no people who observe Lent with more scrupulous and excessive rigour than the Russians. Travelling the road from Petersburg to Moscow, if at any time, in poor cottages where the peasants appeared starving, I offered them a part of our dinner, they would shudder at the sight of it, and cast it to the dogs; dashing out of their children's hands, as an abomination, any food given them; and removing every particle that might be left, entirely from their sight. In drinking tea with a Cossack, he not only refused to have milk in his cup, but would not use a spoon that had been in the tea, offered him with milk, although wiped carefully in a napkin, til it had passed through scalding water; but in proportion as this rigour has been observed, so much the more excessive is the degree of gluttony and relaxation, when the important intelligence that Christ is risen, has issued from the mouth of the archbishop. During Easter, they run into every kind of excess, rolling about drunk the whole week; as if rioting, debauchery, extravagance, gambling, drinking, and fornication, were as much a religious observance as starving had been before; aad that the same superstition which kept them fasting during Lent, had afterwards instigated them to the most beastly excess.

To be concluded in our Next. Curious Sects in the East Indies. [From Mr. Ringellaube's Journal]

DECEMBER 1809. AT Covilviley I made particular inquiry con

cerning The Religion of Eight Letters,' or, Ellelutlu Vedam. This religion is so called, from a prayer consisting of Eight Letters, which I do not fully understand. This prayer is their Shibboleth, by which they recognize each other. They recited to me other prayers, more intelligible, for blessing and protection. Their High Priest, a Gentoo-man, comes annually from Kalluvialey, near Kitaur, in Tinnevelly, where a famous temple of theirs stands. In these excursions he initiates the new brethren and sisters, who take the oath of secresy by Perumarel (Vishtnoo) and pay four chuckram. Whoever breaks this oath, is fined or punished. Women assist at their sacrifices as priestesses. They believe in one only spiritual God, Ramasaumi (Vishtnoo) and hold that all Castes are alike. Accordingly, they keep Love-Feasts, either at home or in their temples, in the night, whither all Castes, even Bramins, repair; eating together, and concluding their festival with a draught of the strongest spirits they can get. Afterwards, they sleep promiscuously on the ground, and slink away before day-light, carefully burying all the offals, feathers, and remnants of their meal.

This sect is considered somewhat in the light of Free Masonry in Eyrope, and spreads very fast; for, in secret, the Indian is glad to lay aside the irksome regulations of Caste. This sect abhor idols. They have temples at Kalluvumaley, Odengoody, near Mannapar, Tongamboor, Auticanda, and many other places. I inspected the temple at Anticanda. It is a little snug square building, in a solitary place, with an altar, but no idol. Ch this altar flowers were scattered; and before the gate there were two curious pillars, which put me in mind of Jachin and Boaz before Solomon's temple. The origin or source of this sect will perhaps be discovered at Jaugernaut, in the Orissa country, where all Castes eat publicly together, out of the same vessel, as an eye witness informed me.

There is another sect called, the Religion of Five Leiters,' (dnje

Jutta Vedam) the members of which worship Shudeley-Mauden, a Boodhoisteck demor. They seem to deal much in astrology. I did not think it worth my while to inquire into particulars. There is an infinitely greater number of religions in India than we know of.

[See the Missionary Transactions, No. XXII, p. 342, jusi published.]

Ilibernian Society.

FOR the information of the friends of religion, and particularly of those who feel interested for the spiritual welfare of Ireland, we subjoin a few extracts from letters recently received from a valuable correspondent, who resides in one of the darkest parts of that benighted country:

Mr. C is to spend some time next Christmas with the masters in T, to perfect such of them in reading the Irish as are yet deficient. He is going on well, and has made many good Irish scholars in his school, who, I hope, may be useful in a future day. He looks forward with eagerness for the arrival of the Irish Testaments.

• Before I conclude, I wish, for the satisfaction of the Society, to state my growing conviction, that the Lord intends good for the benighted inhabitants of this country. The way, I trust, is opening fast for a harvest of souls among them; and I look upon the facuity with which conviction has been brought to the minds of some Cathone schoolmasters, as a signal token for good.'

In a subsequent letter, the same correspondent thus expresses him

self:

The likeral distribution of the Scriptures from the Society, and the elecfs of its schools in this neighbourhood, and to a great extent about it, having already had no little effect in a salutary way, I anticipate with pleasure the happy result of the continuance of its exertions.

The situation of the generality of the Catholics, spiritually consi

dered, calls aloud on all who know the value of souls, to exert themselves on their behalf. Grosser darkness, or more consummate ignorance, cannot be found in Otaheite. Could it be supposed that, in this country, and at this period, any should be found who could believe that the devil had a mother!" and yet, among other things equally absurd, this is actually believed by thousands here; nay, a few Sabbaths since, he who is the spiritual guide of that communion in this parish, actually made a discourse to his flock from the altar, about the memorable combat between St. Patrick and the devil's mother (for whom they have a proper name in Irish) which commenced at Crock Patrick, in the extremity of the county of Mayo, and ended at the famous Lough Derry, in a remote part of the county of Donegal.

Mr. C is anxious for the arrival of the Irish Testaments. — Many of his pupils are fully prepared for them; and some, who have been with him learning the classics, he has detained longer than they wished, giving them tuition without charge, on purpose to have them instructed in the Irish Testament. The young man, I formerly mentioned, who was intended for a priest, and who, from reading the Scriptures with Mr. C, gave up the idea, was lately discarded by his father, for persisting in his refusal. This young man had a Bible (which circumstance gave much of fence to his family) and they wished him to part with it. An acquaintance borrowed it for a day; and on the day of its absence, his father's house, and most of his substance, were consumed by fire, though armed against the possibility of such an event by many crosses of St. Bridget. Their superstition then caused them to conclude, that had the bible remained, the house would have been safe.

While writing, I have been agreeably interrupted by the arrival of a young man from 'r—. Mr. M, on bis last return from this place, stopped for a night at this young man's grandfather's house,

That whole country is in the utmost darkness. Protestant and Catholic equally ignorant; but with this difference, that the activity of the priests, and their confident pretensions to the power of absolution, generally insures the conversion of the Protestants to this false refuge of lies in their last hours. Mr. M-'s host, an old man, by profession a Protestant, was fast verging to this delusion; however, he had a large Family Bible, and, from the account the young man has given, Mr. Mspent the night, to a late hour, in expounding so success fully, that the old man, and others I trust that what has already of his neighbours, were convinced been effected here by the instru of their ignorance and delusions, and mentality of the Society, will be were heartily anxious to be instruct-matter for endless gratitude and ed in the truth. The old man now praise; and I look for greater makes the Bible his constant study, things in future, through the divine and says, That he reads it with new goodness.'

eyes. The young man called ou me, by the recommendation of Mr. M and, indeed, seemed anxious for further instruction. He expressed deep regret for the ignorance of the entire country between this and C—; and seemed to think that wonderful effects might be expected if Mr. M would frequently visit them. This I heard with pleasure, as a sure indication that himself was benefitted; and though I could not promise them the labours of Mr. M, I intimated that they might expect one capable of instructing them.

MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

ORDINATION OF THREE MISSIONARIES.

The

JANUARY 2. Messrs. Thompson, Spratt, and May were ordained at Mr. Burder's, Fetter Lane, to the service of the Heathen in the east. services of the day were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. Lewis and Campbell, John and George Townsend, and Waugh; the latter of whom addressed to them a solemn and suitable charge. They made a good confession before many witnesses; and gave a satisfactory account of their conversion and call to the Missionary work. Two of them acknowledged that they received their first saving impressions of divine truth at Sunday-schools; affording an additional testimony (if any be needed) to the utility of these institutions. One of them, who had long felt an ardent desire to devote himself to the service of the Heathen, was constrained to do so by witnessing the solemn designation of Mr. Morrison for China; and hearing that his determination had been formed by those remarkable words: Curse ye, Meroz, curse them bitterly, said the angel of the Lord; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.' We shall rejoice if, by the divine blessing on this day's services, similar happy effects should follow, in constraining others to offer themselves as candidates for the Missionary work. Five German brethren, who had been previously ordained in the Lutheran church, and who are destined for Africa, were present. Who could have calculated, 20 years ago, on living to see Eight Missionaries go forth to the Heathen? What disciple of the Saviour but must rejoice in the institution of the Missionary and the Bible Societies! These must go hand in hand together, by the translation and diffusion of the Scriptures; and sending Missionaries, if not to precede, to accompany and interpret them. The answer of the Ethiopian treasurer to Philip's question is still true: Understandest thou what thou readest?'-"How can I, except some inan guide me ?' For how shall men believe on him of whom they have not heard? how shall they hear without a preacher ?-and how can they preach, except they be sent. While we entreat the prayers of the churches on behalf of the Missionaries, that He who holds the winds and the waves would carry them in safety over the mighty deep, and give them an open door among the Heathen, we would just remind them of the vast expence of

We have heard that the drafts already come to hand from India, Africa, &c. exceed the receipts of the year; but the Society cheerfully relies on the zeal and liberality of their friends to furnish them with the means of carrying on the work of God to a much greater extent in the Heathen world.

the equipment of Missionaries and their wives.

MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS, &c.

A Widow's Mite: an unknown Person, in the lower walks of life, in the Black Isle of Ross-shire, North Britain, to assist in propagating the Gospel among the Jews

the questions, and prayed the ordination-prayer; Mr. Haining delivered the charge, from 1 Tim. iv. 16; Mr. Jones preached to the people, from Phil. i. 27, first clause; Mr. Haining concluded by prayer. The congregation was large, remarkably attentive, and apparently much affected. For five years Mr. Haining occasionally preached in Ramsey; Mr. Taylor has laboured there for more than a year, with considerable acceptance; a church is formed; and the prospect encouraging. This is the second Independent church lately planted in the Isle of Man.

Oct. 9. The West Kent Union met at Mr. Gooding's, Lenham. Mr. Sabine preached in the afternoon, from 1 Tim. i. 11; and Mr. Ralph in the evening, from Rom. xv. 19. There was a good auditory each time, and the interview was blessed and comfortable. - The next meeting to be held at Mr. Rogers's, Aynsford, April 2, 1811. Messrs. Sabine and Ralph to preach. In case of failure, Messrs. Beaufoy and Gooding.

Oct. 9. Mr. Joseph Morison, formerly of Homerton Academy, was ordained to the pastoral office at Stebbing, Essex. Mr. Frost, of Great Dunmow, began the service with prayer and reading: Dr.Smith, of Homerton, delivered an introductory discourse; Mr. Jennings, of Thaxted, offered the ordination prayer; Mr. Morison, of Barnet, addressed a charge to his son; Mr. Chaplin, of Bishop's Stortford, preached to the people; and Mr. Parry, of Wymondly, concluded with prayer. A sermon on the preceding evening, by Mr. Craig, of Bocking.

began the service as usual; Mr. Griffiths, of Long Buckby, preached from Isa. liii. 11; Mr. Edwards, of Northampton, offered the general prayer; Mr.Whitehead, of Creaton, preached from Ps. lxxxvii. 2; Mr. Renals, of Wellingborough, concluded. In the evening, Mr.Knight, of Yelvertoft, began with prayer; Mr. Horsey, of Northampton, preached from 1 Thess. ii. 2; and Mr. Watson, of Daventry, concluded.

The Annual Meeting of the Herts Union, for promoting the Gospel, will be held at St. Alban's, on Wednesday, April 3; when Dr. Collyer and Mr. F. A. Cox are expected to preach.

Jan. 1, 1811. The Rev. Mr. Emblem (late of the Countess of Huntingdon's connection) was set apart over the Congregational church at West Ham, late under the care of the Rev. Mr. Gold. Mr. C. Hyatt began the service with reading and prayer; Mr. Evans, of Mile End, delivered the introductory discourse and asked the questions; Mr. Parker, of Barking, offered up the general prayer; Mr. Williams, of Stepney, gave the charge, from 1 Tim. iv. 6; Mr. Buck, of Wilson Street, preached to the people, from 2 Sam. xviii. 27, last clause; and Mr. Harper, of St. George's Fields, concluded in prayer.

Same day, the Rev. M. Docker was ordained to the pastoral office over the Independent church, meeting in Garden Street, Sheffield. Mr. Hobson, of Driffield, engaged in prayer, and read suitable portions of Scripture: Mr. Boden, of Sheffield, delivered an introductory discourse and asked the usual questions; Mr. Dixon, of Sheffield, offered up the ordination-prayer, with imposition of hands; Dr. Williams, of Rotherham, gave the charge, from Rev. ii. 10; Mr. Crockford, of Penistone, addressed the church and congregation, from P's. cxviii. 25; and Mr. Dawson, of Sheffield, concluded with prayer. The con

Oct. 17. The East Kent Association held their last Half-yearly Meeting at Canterbury. Mr.Cramp preached in the morning, from Ps. li. 8; Mr. Townsend in the evening, from Rom. xii. 12; Mr. Hawthorn on the preceding evening, from Heb. xi. 17.- The next Meeting is to be held at Dover: preach-gregation was large and attentive. ers, Messrs. Brackston and Broady; preceding evening, Mr. Trego.

Nov. 13. A New Meeting-house was opened at Floore, Northamptonshire. Mr. Robinson, of Shipton,

The circumstances of this congregation were very discouraging at Mr. Docker's coming; but, by the divine blessing, it has considerably increased.