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sion, more particularly the translation of the Scriptures ;' but added, God can carry that on, with or without means; so that my life is not Decessary on that account.'

On the day he died he was asked many questions; to which he could only answer, Yes, or No, or by lifting up his hand. The kind providence of God, however, preserved to him the use of his senses, so that he knew every person distinctly, and understood all that was said to him, till within an hour or two of his death.

Brother Gordon was so ill at the same time, that he was prevented from being with him after the 8th of July, the Doctor absolutely forbidding it; which deprivation greatly distressed his mind. He was not, however, on this account deserted, nor were his last expressions suffered to be entirely lost.

He particularly desired that we would take care of Anandarayer, the Christian Bramin who assisted him in translating the Scriptures, and his wife; and wished that he should continue at that work. He expressed also his desire that his brethren Gordon and Lee should continue at that station; and write immediately to the Directors to send more Missionaries. He wished that great attention might be paid to Aukapillai, à village about 30 miles distant, from which several persons had lately come to make inquiries about the Christian religion; that the bramin might often be sent to preach at that place; and that, if possible, a school might be established there. He desired also particularly, that the native school in Vizagapatam should be nourished; and that care should be taken of his wife and children, until an opportunity offered for her return to England, which he desired for the better education of the children.

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A number of persons being round his bed, he was asked whether he wished to meet them in heaven. O, Yes,' he answered; and, if I could, I would now tell them how good the Lord has been to me.' Being asked if he was happy in the prospect of death and eternity; not being able to speak, he iminediately lifted up his right hand. Indeed, he rejoiced much in the hope of being with Christ, and also of meeting in heaven his much-beloved brother Cran.

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Poor Anandarayer, the converted bramin, was much affected. He wished to be assured that the same care should be taken of him by the surviving brethren, as by Mr. Desgranges, and, being assured of this, he burst into tears, and pressing the hands of his dying father (as he called him) to his lips, he kissed them, and asked if his mind was fixed ou Christ; to which he replied in the affirmative. Will you pray to Jesus,' said he, to give us his blessing? Mr. Desgranges then closed his hands, and prayed for him. The bramin then said, I will not go from this place, but will go on, translating the Old and New Testaments, as long as God will give me power. In the place where you die, I will die, and will not leave this compound (or garden) to go anywhere else. Mr. Desgranges then put his hands on the bramin's head, and prayed some time. Many natives surrounded his bed, and wept: they were all constrained to say he was a good man!'

His remains were conveyed to the European burial-place in the town. attended by nearly all the gentlemen in the settlement, and a vast number of natives of every cast. The boarders, charity-boys, and servants followed, weeping as they went, in testimony of their affection. The corpse was carried in a palanquin, and his little son Augustus, with Mr. Lee followed in another. After the funeral service had been performed, a public and honourable testimony was given to the excellence of str. Desgranges's character by gentleman present. Indeed, he was a truly pious and devoted servant of Carist. His disposition was remarkably mild and gentle; and in ai nd act, he was modest, upright, and exact. He was an affectionat nd, and a tender father. As a friend. faithful and since 1 promote peace; as a Christian, he

followed the Lord fully: he was a man of prayer; much acquainted with his own heart; and one that abhorred sin in all its forms. As a missionary and a minister, he determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified; he insisted, and depended much, on the influences of the Holy Spirit. His soul longed for the conversion of the Heathen who surrounded him. In pursuit of this object, he attained their language under great disadvantages; reasoned with their bramins, and collected together the villagers, speaking to them of the great things of God. in the most indefatigable manner he laboured at the translation of the Scriptures; and used his utmost exertions to disperse copies of them throughout the country. During the months of May and June, 1810, he laboured very hard, with much anxiety of mind, to finish the gospel of St. Luke, in order that he might send a copy of it to Bengal, against the meeting of the Corresponding Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He just accomplished his desire in that respect; but was soon obliged for ever to abandon that good work in which his whole soul had been most actively engaged.

He had also a strong desire to see a church of Christ formed in the Mission. In this also he was gratified; for just three months before his death, he administered the Lord's Supper, in English, for the first time, and in a manner peculiarly impressive. This was, alas! the last public service in which he was permitted to engage.

The affliction of this event is much enhanced by the severe illness of brother Gordon, who labours under a liver complaint. The medical gentlemen are of opinion that he cannot endure the climate, and must remove from India. The whole burden of the mission is therefore likely to devolve upon Mr. Lee, who earnestly desires that help may as soon as possible, be sent to him. To this request the Directors immediately accecded; and their utmost endeavours will be used to strengthen the promising mission at Vizagapalam. The brethren Spratt, May, and Thompson are now intended for that work.

BURMAN EMPIRE.

We have already mentioned that Messrs. Pritchett and Brain had safely arrived at Rangoon. Letters have lately been received from them, by which it appears that they are preserved in safety and health. They continued to reside in the mission-house, with the Baptist brethren, Chater and Cary. jun. at Rangoon. A great part of that city, as before nosiced, had been burnt down, January 12, 1810. Its population, before the fire, is said to have been 60,000; the number of its inhabitants is thought to be lessened one-third.

Just before they wrote, they had received information of the destruction by fire of Uminoorapoora, another large city. Many lives were lost. An insurrection also had taken place, and other public calamities were endured by the people.

The laws of this country appear to be very sanguinary. A man bad been executed, in a terrible manner, only for using a gilt chattra (a kind of parasol) which is considered as a treasonable action in the common people. Two other men were executed with him, for having accepted a bribe to screen him from punishment. Mr. Pritchett and Mr. Brain tended soon to proceed to the city of Ava.

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Mr. Pritchett, in a letter to a friend says, The country about Rangoon is very pleasant, abounding with groves and woods; but the whole is in a wild state. The only effects to be perceived of human industry, are the numberless edifices (praas) and images of Gaudina, which meet the eye in every direction, and cast a gloom over the mind which the beauty of the country cannot remove. This is indeed one of the dark places of the earth, and full of the habitations of cruelty. O that the Sun of Righte

ensness may speedily arise, scatter this dreadful darkness, and shine into the hearts of the poor Burmans, that they may be turned from their dumb idols to serve the living God!

The Lord is pleased to favour me with a continuance of the most perfect health. This is about the hottest time of the year (March 31) it being near the conclusion of the dry season; but I feel little inconvenience, except what arises from the musquitoes, who are very formidable adversaries. I am told they will be less troublesome when we have been longer in the country; but hitherto we have been much annoyed by them.' The following extract of a letter from a gentleman at Ava to a friend, giving an account of the conflagration at Ummerapoora, is very interesting:

April 7. We left what was Ummerapoora on the 29th ult. (March); for on the 28th the entire town and fort, including the palace, the dwellings of all the princes, all the beautiful kyorims, and 20,000 houses, were reduced to ashes. When we came away, the number of deaths then known was 264; but probably many more have perished, as the governor of the fort ordered the gates to be shut, and reduced the inhabitants to the dreadful alternative of being burnt, or leaping down the wall. The river at Ummerapoora forms a bay; and it is difficult to imagine a more awful sight than a space comprizing four miles along the banks, and at least an equal distance in depth, in flames at the same moment. From the rapidity of the fire, and the various opposite directions in which it broke out at the same time, there can be little doubt of its having been applied in many places for the purpose of plunder.'

Burman Empire. - Postscript. Since the foregoing information from the Missionaries Pritchett and Brain was transcribed, the Directors have received a letter from Mr. Loveless, at Madras, dated in September last, communicating the further distressing intelligence of the death of Mr. Brain. He was removed by a violent disorder (the dysentery) which seized him on the 2d of July; and which terminated his valuable life on the 10th of the same month. Particulars are not yet received, only that he bore his painful affliction with truly Christian fortitude, and expired with a hope full of immortality.

These afflicting losses will, we trust, excite the ministers of the gospel, and other numerous friends of the Society, to the most fervent supplications to the God of all grace, for the more abundant effusion of his Holy Spirit on the Missionaries who survive; and that others may be raised up, who shall also be burning and shining lights in the dark world of Paganism. The exertions of Christians, in behalf of the Society, were never more loudly called for since it commenced. May a remarkable degree of holy zeal and liberality distinguish the next Anniversary!

DEMARARA.

LETTERS from Demarara, dated December 26, 1811, are of an encouraging nature. The gospel continues to spread in that country; and there is much reason to hope that it will yet take a wider course, and be glorified. An extraordinary circumstance lately occurred:

A party of native Indians, of the Caribeean nation, consisting of their chief, and several of their principal men, paid a visit to the town, from a distance of about six weeks journey in the interior. Having attended divine service, of which they could not understand a single word (but during which they behaved with great reverence) they expressed a wish to be informed of what the minister had been speaking. They were conVersed with fully on the subject, by means of an interpreter. After which the chief (who presides over eight nations, besides the Caribeean) expressed an earnest desire that some person should be sent into his county to instruct him and his people, whom he promised to collect together for that purpose.

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A young man of education and piety, who, it is said, is well quafi fied for the undertaking, and who is recommended by Mr. Wray, feels a strong desire to become a Missionary to these Indians; and has applied to the Missionary Society to afford him assistance in the great undertak ing. Thus the nations of the Heathen appear, as was promised concerning the Ethiopians, to be stretching out their hands unto God.' — Psalm lxviii. 31.

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[Further Intelligence from Demarara may be expected in our next.]

Superstition of the Greek Church.

[Concluded from p. 1:3.]

The most magnificent ceremony of this festival, (The Pasque) is celebrated two hours after midnight, in the morning of Easter Sunday. It is called the Ceremony of the Hesurrection.

At midnight, the great bell of the cathedral tolled. Its vibrations seemed the rolling of distant thunder; and they were instantly accompanied by the noise of all the bells in Moscow. Every inhabitant was stirring; and the rattling of carriages in the streets was greater than at noon day. The whole city was in a blaze; for lights were seen in all the windows, and innumerable torches in the streets. The tower of the cathedral was illuminated, from its foundation to its cross. The same ceremony takes place in all the churches; which, it is said, are all equally crowded.

We hastened to the cathedral, which was filled with a prodigious assembly, bearing lighted wax tapers. In the moment of our arrival the doors were shut; and on the outside appeared Plato, the archbishop, preceded by banners and torches, and followed by all his train of priests, with crucifixes and censers, who were making three times, in procession, the tour of the cathedral; chanting with loud voices, and glittering in sumptuous vestments, covered by gold, silver, and precious stones. After completing the third circuit, they all passed opposite the great doors, which were shut; and the archbishop, with a censer, scattered incense against the doors, and over the priests. Suddenly those doors were opened, and the effect was, beyond description, great. The immeuse throng of spectators within,

bearing innumerable tapers, formed two lines, through which the archbishop entered, advancing with his train to a throne near the centre. The profusion of lights in all parts of the cathedral, and, among others, of the enormous chandelier which hung from the centre, the richness of the dresses, and the vastness of the assembly, filled us with astonishment. The loud chorus, which burst forth at the entrance to the church, continued as the procession moved towards the throne, and after the archbishop had taken his seat; when my attention was for a moment called off, by seeing one of the Russians earnestly crossing himself with his right hand, while his left was employed in picking my companion's pocket of his handkerchief.

I had now leisure to examine the dresses and figures of the priests, which were certainly the most striking I ever saw. Their long dark hair, without powder, fell down in ringlets, or straight and thick, far over their rich robes and shoulders. Their dark thick beards also, entirely covered their breasts. On the heads of the archbishop and bishops, were high caps, covered with gems, and adorned by miniature paintings, set in jewels, of the Crucifixion, the Virgin, and the Saints. Their robes of various coloured satin were of the most costly embroidery; and even on these were miniature pictures set with precious stones.

After two hours had been spent in various ceremonies, the archbishop advanced, holding forth a cross, which all the people crowded to embrace, squeezing each other nearly to suffocation. As soon, however, as their eagerness had. been somewhat satisfied, he retired to the sacristy; when, putting on

a plain purple robe, he again advanced, exclaiming three times, in a very loud voice, Christ is risen.' The most remarkable part of the solemnity now followed. The archbishop, descending into the body of the church, concluded the whole ceremony by crawling round the pavement on his hands and knees, kissing the consecrated pictures, whether on the pillars, the walls, the altars, or the tombs; the priests and all the people imitating his example. Sepulchres were opened, and the mummied bodies of incorruptible saints exhibited, all of which underwent the same general kissing.

Thus was Easter proclaimed: and riot and debauchery instantly broke loose. The inn in which we lodged became a Pandemonium. Drinking, dancing, and singing, continued through the night and day. No meetings take place of any kind, without repeating the expressions of peace and joy, Christes Voscress! Christ is risen!' which the answer always is the same, Vo Istiny Voscress! • He is risen indeed!'

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On Easter Monday begins the presentation of the Paschal eggs: lovers to their mistresses, relatives to each other, servants to their masters, all bring ornamented eggs. Every offering at this season is called a Paschal egg. The meanest pauper in the street, presenting an egg, and repeating the words Christes Voscress, may demand a salute even of the empress. All business is laid aside; the upper ranks are engaged in visiting, balls, dinners, suppers, and masquerades; while lovers fill the air with their songs, or roll drunk about the streets. Servants appear in new and tawdry liveries, and carriages in the most sumptuous parade.

Entering by the gate of the Resurrection, which forms the eastern extremity of the Tverschia, one of the principal streets in Moscow, there is a small chapel, open to the street; before which, at all hours of the day, a mob is seen assembled, crossing and prostrating themselves. I had the curiosity to enter this sanctuary. There I found an old

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man with a long beard, busy in selling candles to the numerous visitants, who, immediately after buying them, placed them before a picture of the Virgin. The little chapel was filled with pictures of saints and martyrs: but there were two of the Virgin with the Infant, larger than the rest; one of which is said to have been brought hither by an angel, which causes the extraordinary devotion paid to it. It has great celebrity, from the numberless miracles it has wrought, in healing the sick, and restoring sight to the blind.'

A shock of an earthquake was felt at Verona, on the 24th of Dec. last, which lasted ten seconds.

A violent shock was also experienced at Genoa, on the 26th of December, which continued about the same time. The bells were set a ringing by the concussion, and some old houses fell. A few persons were hurt; but it does not appear that, in either case, any lives were lost.

New Colony-A small colony has sailed from Boston, North America, to the islands of Trestan de Cunha (South America) to be called in future The Islands of Refreshment, with a view to raise supplies for vessels bound to the Cape of Good Hope and the East Indies. hope that, if it be practicable, oue

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of the societies in America will make it a missionary station.

Rangoon. The King of Ava, being at war with the Siamese, had ordered an enrolment of all men capable of bearing arms. In consequence of which an insurrection took place at Rangoon, when almost all the houses in the town were burnt; and, it is said, a general scene of devastation and plunder ensued. The loss sustained by the merchants, especially the Armenians, is supposed to be very great.

Letters from Smyrna mention that one of the western caravans, in passing through the desart of Syria, in September last, was overtaken near the Kateron Mountains by a dreadful whirlwind; which, putting in motion the sandy soil;

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