for the cultivation of the Malay language, being situated close to the main land of Malacca. As there is a College in Bengal for instructing the English in the languages of the continent of Hindostan, it is equally expedient that there should be an institution in Penang for the cultivation of the Malay tongue, and of the various dialects of our insular possessions. The Dutch attended to this object in the very infancy of their empire. Besides, it is probable that Penang will, in the progress of Eastern civilization, become the great emporium of Asiatic commerce. Its sudden elevation is a prognostic of its future celebrity. It is situated on what may be called "the high way," in which ships sail from either hemisphere; and is the very center of British navigation in the East. The Author resided on this island for about a month, and was greatly surprized at the variety of languages which are spoken, and at the different races of men who present themselves to view in this distaut settlement. The merchants are chiefly of the Malay and IndoChinese nations. John Shaw, Esq. was prosecuting the study of the Eastern Malay language when I visited the island, and has since published a considerable portion of a Malay Grammar. The author who chiefly claims our notice in regard to the Malay regions, is 3. C. Leyden, M. D. Professor of Hindostanee in the College of Fort-William; to him the learned world is indebted for a Dissertation on the Languages and Literature of the Indo-Chinese nations, just published in the Asiatic Researches; in which he illuminates a very dark subject, and opens a new view to Great Britain of her insular possessions in Asia. Dr. Leyden takes the lead in this most useful science in the East, being possessed of very rare talents for general philology, which he has applied almost suddenly, with admirable effect to the oriental languages. If this erudite scholar should prosecute his researches for some years to come, with equal assiduity and success, he will promote, in the most effectual manner, the general civilization of the East, by opening the way for the future exertions of Christian teachers, and preparing them for the study of languages, the names of which are not yet known in Europe. Penang, and the neighbouring settlement of Malacca, are most fayourable stations for the study of the various dialects of the Malay and Chinese languages; and for pouring forth from the press useful works for the civilization of Maritime and Austral Asia. Every week, boats of different nations are ready to carry off every thing that is printed to their respective regions. The Author found here a general spirit of inquiry, a communicative disposition, and an unusual thirst for knowledge; for the civilities of commerce have a tendency to weaken prejudice and superstition among barbarous tribes. Although the Dutch introduced Christianity on every island where they established a government, yet the greater part of the Malay islands are involved in darkness. The natives are of three general casts: Pagans, Mahomedans, and Chinese. The Mahomedans chiefly inhabit the shores, and the Pagans the interior parts of the islands. The barbarisin of the interior nations in Sumatra, Borneo, and other islands, almost exceed belief. Marsden, in his history of Sumatra, had informed us that it was usual with the natives of the interior, called the Batta tribes, to kill and eat their criminals and prisoners of war; but the researches of Dr. Leyden have led to the discovery that they sometimes sacrifice their own relations. They themselves declare,' says he, that they frequently eat their own relations when aged and infirm; and that not so much te gratify their appetite, as to perform a pious ceremony. Thus, when a man be. comes infirm and weary of the world, he is said to invite his own children to eat him in the season when salt and limes are cheapest: he then ascends a tree, round which his friends and offspring assemble, and, as they shake the tree, jain in a funeral dirge, the import of which By a Letter from Mr. Pacalt, dated Bethelsdorp, February 19, 1811, we learn, that Martha and Mary, the Hottentots who were in England in 1803, were in good health. They expressed the warmest gratitude towards their friends in England, retaining a lively sense of their kindness. Mary said, I cannot expect to see them again on earth; but I hope to meet them all in my Father's house, where no separation shall take place. Give them a thousand thanks for all their kindness to me.' Every time Mary saw him, she spake, with tears in her eyes, about the love of Christ. - Mr. Pacalt says, Mr. Kicherer is well. The Lord blesses his labours; and the people in that place (Graaf Reinet) are changed as the night to the day. I accompanied him to Uitenhaag; and preached with him several times on our journey. Mr. Pacalt visited a place about 50 miles from Bethelsdorp, where he was well received. Some of the slaves wept for joy at his arrival ; and one of them could scarcely eat or drink for three days, regarding only the word of God. Plunder of the Property of the Missionary Seidenfaden, and the Murder of One of his People. By a Letter, dated March 15, from Salt River, near Cape Town, the Directors have learnt with pain, that, on the 28th of February, when he was preparing for his journey, with his wife, up the country, he received the dreadful account, sent by the Missionary Mr. Christian Albrecht to the Field Cornet Neukirke, the landdrost of Tulbach, that a noted robber. called The African, had, in the absence of Seidenfaden, broke open his house, murdered Hans Drayer, and destroyed every thing he could not take away with him. Still he adds, I have cause for thankfulness, that God had led me and my wife out of the place, to save me from the hands of the murderer.' This man is well known in South Africa. Some years ago he entirely destroyed a family, consisting of a man, his wife, and three children, on the Bokfield, of the name of Bemar. The Colonial Secretary informed him, that some soldiers had been sent to apprehend him, who, it is hoped, will succeed in their endeavours to rid the country of such a monster, whom neither Religion nor Government can re strain or subdue. Designation and Departure of Ten Missionaries FOR AFRICA AND AMERICA. April 22. The Rev. W. Smart was ordained at Dr. Nicol's (the Scots Church) Swallow Street, in order to his being sent out as a Missionary to Elizabeth Town, Upper Canada. Mr. Townsend prayed, and read suilable portions of Scripture; Mr. Bennett, of Romsey, delivered an appropriate Address, and asked the usual questions; Dr. Nicol offered up the ordination-prayer; Mr. Lothian, of Edinburgh, gave the charge; and Mr. Waugh commended the young man, who had been a member of church, to the Great Head of the Church; Mr. Burder gave an interesting account of Elizabeth Town, and the affecting petition to the Missionary Society, which was signed by many of the most respectable persons of the place, who had applied to other quarters in vain. They were chiefly from Scotland; and the good effect of their religious education displayed itself in this instance, by inducing them earnestly to desire the ordinances of the gospel, lest the rising generation should be carried away by a flood of impiety and profaneness. We earnestly pray that Mr. Smart may prove a blessing to multitudes, not only of nominal Christians, but of the neighbouring Indians in this unenlightened region. He sailed from Portsmouth in the Manique, for America, the 19th of June; and we trast he will ere long reach his destination in safety, and commence his Missionary labours with success. July 4. The Rev. John Cox was ordained at Holywell Mount Chapel, as a Missionary for St. Mary's Falls, Upper Canada. Mr. Brooksbank began the service with prayer, &c.; Mr. Lewis asked the questions; Mr. Platt prayed, and presented the Missionary with a Bible; when Mr. Collison gave him a charge, from the appropriate words in Joshua i. 8,' This book shall not depart out of thy mouth,' &c.; Mr. Tracy concluded. As the last ship this season was expected to leave the river the following day, Mr. Cox was equipped, and took his departure in her. It was at the earnest entreaty of a Mr. Johuston, a respectable gentleman, who resides at St. Mary, and who was some time since in England, that the Missionary Society were induced to send Mr. Cox; and as Mr. Johnston's children speak the Indian tongue as fluently as their own, it is hoped that Mr. Cox will soon acquire the language. June 20. Five German Missionaries, who had been previously ordained in the Lutheran Church, sailed from Portsmouth, in the Lady Barlow, for the Cape of Good Hope; where they are intended to strengthen the Missions already established in South Africa, and commence a New Mission among the Corannas, or the Bricqua nation. One of them, Mr. Sass, previous to his departure from London, was united in marriage with Miss Gordon, sister of Mr. Gordon, Missionary at Vizagapatam, a young woman possessed of a truly Missionary spirit. Mr. Heim has married a member of Mr. Evans's church, Mile End. The names of the single brethren are Schnelen, Ebner, and Messer. They are accompanied by a brother of colour, of the name of Corner, a native of Demerara, whom it was judged expedient to place under the direction of our venerable Missionary Dr. Vanderkemp, at Bethelsdorp. For a free passage for these eight persons, the Society is indebted to Government. The readiness of Gentlemen in office, in affording the requisite facilities for the departure of our foreign brethren, entitle them to the gratitude of the Society. While our civil and religious privileges are protected, and countenance given to the propagation of the gospel, we have great cause for rejoicing; but this great work of converting millions of our fellowbeings, requires far greater exertions than the churches in Britain nave yet made. The Missionary Society have need to be furnished with double their present means to make exertions commensurate to the ob ject. The Great Head of the Churca appears to be raising up a number of well-educated Missionaries in America. Mr. Judson is now on nis way to Boston, hoping to accompany some of his fellow-collegians to the cast this year. AMERICA. Our last letters from Philadelphia inform us of the departure of five of our Missionaries, together with five of our Baptist friends, in the Daphne, procured for them by our generous friend Mr. Kalston, under whose roof they had been all entertained with truly Christian hospitanty. Il is delightful in these troublesome times, to see Europe and America send ន ខ ing forth the Heralds of Peace to Asia and Africa. It is worthy of remark, that at the present moment, not a single Missionary can be sent out from any part of the corrupt church of Rome on the continent, though our readers may remember the empty boast of our enemy, which we copied into our Magazine from some of the French Journals a few years ago, That he would revive the College de Propaganda Fide; and send 100 Missionaries to the East, 100 to Canada and South America, and a similar number to Africa. Although he insinuated that our Missionaries were only political or commercial agents, to extend the dominion of England, the world must be convinced, that with these matters they have no concern whatever. Every true friend to his country and to mankind, must, we should think, be a Friend to Protestant Missions to those Heathen nations, which are yet enveloped in Pagan darkness or Mohammedan imposture. While we congratulate the Friends of Missions on our success in Africa and in the hast and West Indies, we entreat their fervent prayers on behalf of our newly-departed Missionaries. No less than 16 from this Society are now on the face of the deep. May he who holds the stars in his right hand preserve them as the lights of the world, and give the winds and waves charge concerning them, to wait them to their desired havens in peace, and open to them a wide and effectual door among the leathen, which none of the powers of Earth or Hell shall be able to shut! By a Letter from Philadelphia, dated June 5, we learn, that the Missionaries Spratt, May, &c. together with the baptist Missionaries, who sailed from thence in the brig Daphne, May 15, met with a very severe gale of wind on the 19th (long. 65 deg. 45 min.; lat. 34 deg. 45 min.) when the topmasts, royals, &c. were all carried away; and, on examination, it was found, that the head of the maiumast was sprung. They were, therefore, obliged to return to port, in order to refit. The vessel will soon resume her voyage; but as the Missionaries were too numerous to be comfortably accommodated, the season far advanced, and the passage likely to be tedious, the Missionaries thought fit to decline this conveyance. We hope, however, they will be profitably employed until a fit oppor tunity shall arrive for their proceeding. It is a great mercy that no lives were lost, that they were no further from land when the accident happened, and that they all returned to Philadelphia in good health. The passage-money, &c. will be returned. BELLARY. THE following interesting particulars are extracted from a Letter from Mr. Hands, dated January 15, 1811, which is just received :- Thro' the good hand of my God, I am enabled to go forward; and though it is not with the rapidity I conld wish, yet I hope I am daily making some progress in the languages; for as so large a portion of Canaada is derived from the Sanscrit, i daily spend some portion of my time at that. I have sometimes much hope of my moonshee: he is a shrewd, sensible, and learned man, and less prejudiced than any bramin I have yet met with. He and his whole family profess the greatest attachment to me. At present, I preach thrice every Lord's Day to my countrymen, and the Por tugueze half cast. In the morning, in the Kutcheree to the soldiers and inhabitants; in the afternoon at the hospital; in the evening at home. Last Sabbath evening I had my house full. A considerable stir begins to appear among the soldiers. Eight or ten of the young Portugueze appear very serious and promising. Our singing is conducted greatly fo my satisfaction. Much good is done by distributing tracts and lending books. I have seldom less than 40 in circulation; and they are read with avidity. A religious book was rarely to be seen before. The poor soldiers were quite destitute; and the respectable inhabitants little better. I have given a Bible and Baxter's Call for the use of the convalescents in the hospital; and their appearance shews that they are in constant use. O send us Bibles, tracts, and useful books, for sale or lending, for our poor countryinen are almost in as perishing a state as the Heathen! A man who keeps a warehouse, I am told, asks 10 pagodas, or £ 4. for a common Bible. Blessed be God for the Bible Society's generosity and vigour ! May their generous efforts be crowned with most abundant success! God has been pleased to give me favour in the eyes of the principal people here. One officer, high in the civil department, condescends to visit ime and attend divine service; and has invited me to take a short journey to the great feast held by the natives, near Birmeggur, the ancient capital =of the Hindoo empire. Another gentleman has lately made me a present of a pretty little useful horse; which was a very welcome present in this hot country, which will uot admit of much walking. Hard as I am obliged to labour every day, I would not exchange my situation for the richest bishopric. The residence of your Missionary was origiually a a pagoda: a part of it will be devoted to the public worship of the everblessed God. O that many of the Devil's temples may be thus consecrated! Several of their huge gods of stone are lying about the prenisses, like Dagon before the ark. I purpose digging large holes near them, and roli them in, as they are too unweildy to be dragged away; and so give them Christian burial. Several of the natives, on certain great festival days, have sent me presents of fruits sufficient for a fruiterer's shop. Here is a garden of near seven acres, containing most of the produce of England and india, well stocked with vines, oranges, plantains, pomegranates, papia, cocoa-nuts, and various other fruit trees. The soil is good and weil watered. I hope it will not be long before another Missionary is sent out to help me. What a wide field is here! In every direction around me millions perishing, and crying Come over and help us. O God, fill mens' hearts with compassion, and if they will not come willingly, Lord, thrust them out! A number of pious friends, on the 1st of January last, commenced an Auxiliary Society at Bethnal Green, London, in Aid of the Missionary Society; from which, by the subscription of One Shilling, or more, per Quarter, or One Penny per Week, a respectable sum will probably be procured. The Society meet every Fourth Tuesday Evening, at No. 5, Bethnal Green Road: Mr. J. Mead, Treasurer; Mr. W. Collett, Secretary. Extract from Number xx of the MR. WARD, in a letter to Mr. Burls, dated March 27, 1809, says, We have not those rapid and numerous conversions as we might wish for; and those who set out as missionaries with such expectations, will commonly be disappointed. If we would acquit ourselves as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we must sit down and besiege the city, resolving to take it. If it do not fall during our life, we must accommend the work to survivors with our dying breath. Missionary societies too, I think, should lay their accounts to go on with the work from generation to generation, and aries as much a part of their regumake the sending out of missionlar and necessary work, as a church does the sending out of ministers at home; and the collecting for missions as much a piece of regular work, as the collecting for places of worship at home. In short, it is a work which belongs to us and to our children, and to our children's children; as much a matter of course as that after your minister, some one should be chosen to succeed him; and after the death of his successor, some one else to succeed him. Such appears to me to be a right view of the subject. The alteration produced in Bengal by sixty years English Government is very great: sixty years more, accelerated by the progress already |