ciety had formed; and the spread of the gospel, as may be seen in the Missionary Transactions published by that Society, has now, in the course of a few years, reached to the extreme bounds of the colony, and beyond it. The zeal of the English Society excited a similar spirit among the Dutch at home and at the Cape; and Missionary Societies were formed for the same noble purposes, in concurrence with the London Missionary body. The effects already produced have been very considerable; and promise a more abundant harvest of souls gathered in these heathen lands, where the light of Truth had not before penetrated. At present, several flourishing congregations have been collected in very distant parts, by the labours of these faithful men of God; and as continual assistants are sent to their help, the circle of their labours happily enlarges from year to year.

Dr.Vanderkemp, with Read, Ulbricht, Smit, and others, his assistants and fellow-labourers at Bethelsdorp, have formed a church of faithful members, chiefly Hottentots. Their settlement is increased to upwards of 900 souls, who prosper under these indefatigable pastors. They have repeatedly been among the Caffres; and been received with great attention and reverence; and more than one horde of these express a great desire to have Missionaries dwell among them, to teach them the knowledge of the Saviour.

At Graaf Reinet, Mr. Kicherer, who removed thither with some of his people from the Reit Fountain, is put in possession of the Dutch church at that extremity of the colony; and preaches the gospel with a blessing on his labours.

Messrs. Anderson, Janz, and Kramer, with their families, have fixed their settlement at Klaar Water, in the north, among the Namaquas and Hottentots. A flourishing congre gation of about 800 souls witness the success of their ministry. They have begun with diligence to cultivate the soil, and teach the natives habits of industry, while they, with indefatigable diligence, attend to their mental improvement, and the care of their immortal souls.

Mr. Sydenfaden occupies a distant station among the lesser Namaquas, with his family, at the Kamisberg. Around him are collected about 500 natives; many of whom have learned to read, and diligently attend his teaching and ministryn which he is assisted by three Hottentot helpers.

Mr. Vanderlingen, with his family, at the Wyneborg, about seven miles from the Cape, has the care of about 1400 Hottentots, and their families, who are regimented, and there encamped, under English officers. The Colonel and Adjutant greatly countenance him in his work; and engage the men to attend regularly the preaching and catechizing. Many of them have, through mercy, obtained grace to be faithful, and reward his diligence.

The two brethren Albrechts, have their station at the Warm Bath, among a horde of the Namaquas; more than 1200 of whom are collected together, and statedly or occasionally attend their ministrations. They report, that many of these are happily converted to the Lord. They can read and write, and are able to give a reason of the hope which is in them, adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour.

[To be continued.]

Evangelicana.

The High Reputation of CALVIN at the Time of the Reformation, and particularly in the Church of England.

It seems to be the fashion of the day (and there are fashions in religion as well as in dress) to depreciate as much as possible the character of Calvin. With some writers, Calvinism is become a term of reproach as great as that of Arminianism was in purer days, and for a long time after the Reformation.

For the sake of those who are not conversant with the history of the English Church, it may be proper and seasonable to collect a few of those testimonies of honour which were paid to that great man, by persons full as capable of appreciating his talents and character as any of our modern divines.

The

When this nation was emerging from the gulph of Popery, the leaders of the Reformation, justly considering Calvin as an eminently judicious servant of God, applied to him for his advice. A correspondence was carried on between the Protector, Somerset, King Edward's uncle, who was a great promoter of the Reformation, and Calvin, who, with Bucer and Martyr, objected to some things in the first edition of the English Liturgy; and on account of which it was revised and corrected. Church of England, therefore, is certainly indebted, in some degree, to Calvin, for the purity and simplicity of her public services. Whiston (in his Memoirs) affirms, That King Edward's first Liturgy was altered, out of compliance with Calvin and other foreigners; and Dr. Robertson (in his History of Scotland) speaking of the discreet and friendly offices of that Reformer, says, His decisions were received among the Protestants of that age with incredible submission *. Heylin also, though not friendly to Calvin, admits that Cranmer, Ridley, and the rest of the English bishops, concerned in the Reformation, resolved, That they would give Calvin no offence +.'

·

Archbishop Cranmer corresponded with Calvin; and knowing how high he stood in the estimation of King Edward, assured him, That he could not do any thing more profitable than to write often to the king.

Bishop Hooper so much valued Calvin, that he wrote to him when in prison, saluting him with the compellation of 4 ir Præstantissime, — earnestly begging his church's prayers; and subscribing himself Tuc pietatis studiosiss mus, Johannes Hooperus '

Bishop Andrews said, That Calvin was an illustrious person; and never to be mentioned without a preface of the highest honour.'

Bishop Bilson tells us, That Calvin was so well known to those that

* Vol. i, p. 249.

Heylin's Hist. of the Presbyt. p. 204.

Hickman's Animadv. on Heylen, p. 149.

are learned and wise, for his great pains and good labours in the church of God, that a few snarling friars could not impeach his good name." Bishop Stilling fleet calls him That excellent Servant of God.'

.

Mr. Hooker says,' He was incomparably the wisest man that ever the French church enjoyed.'

Dr. John Edwards says, That Calvin w. s reputed a great man, not only at Geneva, but also in England.'

Scaliger allows, That he was the happiest of all the commentators, in apprehending the sense of the prophets.

De Thou gives Calvin this character:-A person endued with a quick and lively genius, and of admirable eloquence; — a Divine highly accounted of among Protestants +.'

Whenever he was quoted, it was done with epithets of honour; as the learned, the judicious, the pious Calvin; and I am more than confident there cannot be produced one writer of credit in the Established Church of England that ever fell foul of Calvin, till about 60 or 70 years after his death; when the tares of Arminius began to be sown and cherished among us +'

Turretine says, John Calvin was a man whose memory will be blessed in every succeeding age: - he instructed and enlightened not only the, church of Geneva, but also the whole reformed world, by his immense labours. Insomuch, that all the reformed churches are, in the gross, frequently called by his name §.'

Even the sceptical philosopher Bayle, says of our Reformer, He was a man on whom God had conferred the most eminent talents: a great wit, a sound judgment, and a happy memory. He was a judicious, eloquent, and indefatigable writer; and had very extensive learning, and great zeal for truth.'

Such was the opinion entertained of Calvin by men of rank, learning, and piety, at the time of the Reformation, and for many years afterwards; and fet it be opposed to the sentiment respecting him now propagated so industriously by modern bishops, deans, and doctors. As far as human opinion goes, that of Reformers and Maryrs will probably have the greatest weight . A MODERATE CALVINIST.

* Veritas Redux, p. 529; from which some of these testimonies are taken. + See Leigh's Religious and Learned Men, p. 149.

History of Popery, vol. ii, p. 349.

Turrentini Histor. Eccles. p. 352.

See also Toplady's Historic Proof of the Doctrinal Calvinism of the Church of England, vol. ii, sec. 15.

ANECDOTE.

AYGOLAND, a king of the Moors, having waged war for a considerable time with Charles the Great, was induced, as was the fashion of the day, to receive the Christian faith, in order to obtain peace on more advantageous terms. For this purpose he repaired to the French court with prodigious pomp; and observing there a great number of poor men, who were fed and clothed by the Emperor's bounty, enquired who they were. The reply was, They are the servants of God." "What!" said the heathen prince," Are the servants of the Emperor so rich and fine, and the servants of God so poor and wretched? I did intend to be baptized, and become a Christian; but now I am resolved never to serve that God who keeps his servants no better!"

Caryl, who relates this Anecdote, observes, That what this ignorant prince spoke out freely, many speak secretly in their hearts: they will not serve Christ upon self-denying and suffering terms.

Caryl on Job xvii. S.