It was the day previously appointed for the examination of the Shepherd's Town Sunday School. The exercises commenced with an hymn sung by the children, and with the reading of the Litany by the Rev. Mr. Bryan. Then succeeded the examination of the pupils. Five were found entitled to a neat pocket Bible, and all the others to premiums of proportional value. As a general remark, we observe, that the exercises and behaviour of the children were such as to entitle them to great credit, and reflect much honour upon the institution.

After the examination and distribution of premiums, an interesting and appropriate address was deliver ed by the Rev. Mr. Clay. The exercises of the day were interspersed with singing by the children.

We notice with pleasure the respect paid us by the children of the Sharpsburgh Sunday School. At an early hour we were greeted with the arrival of about ninety children of that school, accompanied by their venerable president and many of their teachers. Anxious to see their youthful fellows, who were engaged in the noble pursuit of gaining that wisdom which is able to make them wise unto salvation, they had walk ed the distance of three miles. It was indeed a happy sight. What may we not expect from Sunday Schools! Who could have witnessed these children without the strongest emotions! Happy children who thus early begin to learn the way of the

We find great pleasure in recording the evidence of good sense and correct feeling on the part of those concerned in the above noticed interesting celebration, afforded in selecting the Litany for the religious services of the day. We are persuaded, that the more the Book of Common Prayer is studied with a mind capable of appreciating its character, and a heart imbued with the evangelical sentiments it breathes, the more sufficient will it appear to fur

nish devotions for all occasions. The use of its language may indeed detract a little

from credit with men for ingenuity in makwith God, for fidelity in praying. The leting a prayer; but not at all from acceptance

ter of Canons and Rubrics will indeed be

fulfilled by using the services in the Prayer Book, and nothing else, in stated acts of public worship; but surely their spirit, as far as that inculcates a love for the prayers of the Church, and a wish to let their light shine before men, supposes a preference of those prayers on all occasions. The Episcopal Clergy would find it a mean of increasing the evangelical fervour and purity of their own devotions, and promoting the credit of their Church, to render themselves so familiar with the language

of the Liturgy as to be at all times able to draw from it prayers suited to any special occasions which they may be called on to hallow by religious services.

FOR THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL.

Messrs. Editors,

FINDING that a diversity of opinion prevails with regard to the construction of the 33d Canon of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and wishing to obtain its true sense, I would beg an answer, from some of your correspondents, to the following questions. Is the 33d Canon applicable to the

Church in the Diocess of New-York?

What is meant by the terms "parish" and "parochial cure" in said Canon? Are those terms applicable to the Church in the Diocess of New-York?

What construction is to be put upon the words "local boundaries" and "common limits" in the last sentence of said Canon !

PRESBUTEROS.

The good sense, sound discretion, zeal, and piety manifested in the following letter of the Bishop of Calcutta to the Secretary of the Society in England for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, must, we think, recommend it to the serious at tention of all who feel an interest in diffusing the light of the Gospel.

culty with which we have to contend: or dinary discretion is all that is required: and every proceeding I should consider to be safe, which did not offer a direct and open affront to the prevailing superstitions. ? In any attempt to enlighten, to instruct, or to convince, experience has abundantly shown that there is not the smallest ground for alarm; and this, I believe, is now admitted by many, who once regarded such attempts with manifest apprehension. A more remarkable change of sentiment has seldom been effected within so short an interval.

practicable, so as most effectually to furThe question, however, what may be ther the Society's views, is much more comprehensive. Experience does not hold rely for their success entirely on the effect out much encouragement to efforts which to be produced by preaching: they seem rarely to have excited any interest beyond that of a transient curiosity: the minds of the people are not generally in a state to be impressed by the force of argument, and still less to be awakened to reflection by appeals to their feelings and to their fears and yet preaching must form a part, a prominent part, I apprehend, in any scheme for the conversion of these people: what is further required seems to be a preparation of the Native Mind to comprehend the importance and truth of the doctrines proposed to them: and this must be the effect of education. The Scriptures must also be translated, and other writings conducive to the end in view.

To embrace and combine these objects, therefore, I would have the honour to re

REV. SIR,

Calcutta.

Calcutta, 16th Nov. 1818.

I HAVE received your letter, conveying to me a copy of the proceedings of the Society, in the month of March last, on the subject of India Missions; from which it appears, that the Society have placed at my disposal the sum of 5000l. and invite my more particular suggestions, as to the most prudent and practical methods of promoting Christianity in this country. The Society may be assured that I have been much gratified by this communication, and that I shall, with the Divine blessing, heartily co-operate with them in an enterprise so honourable to our Established Church, and commenced under auspices which give it the character of a National Effort to disseminate in these regions our Holy Faith in its purest form. In offering to the Society my opinion as to what may be prudent, with reference to the SAFETY of the measure, I can feel no embarrassment: the DANGER, generally speaking, of attempting to propagate Christianity in this country is not the diffi

of a Mission College, in the immediate vicinity of this capital, to be subservient to the several purposes :

1. Of instructing Native and other Christian Youth in the doctrines and discipline of the Church, in order to their becoming preachers, catechists, and schoolmasters.

2. For teaching the elements of useful knowledge and the English language, to Mussulmans or Hindoos, having no object in such attainments beyond secular advantage.

3. For translating the Scriptures, the Liturgy, and Moral and Religious Tracts.

4. For the reception of English Missionaries to be sent out by the Society, on their first arrival in India.

It may be expected that something should be offered in explanation of my meaning, under each of these heads.

1. One object proposed in this Establishment is the training of Native and Christian Youth to be Preachers, Schoolmasters, and Catechists. Such, I have no doubt, might be found in sufficient number, when it was understood that they

would be fostered in a respectable Estab. lishment, with the assurance of an ade quate provision upon leaving it: and I am clearly of opinion, that though Native Teachers by themselves will never effect much, our religion will make little progress in this country without their aid. The native Christian is a necessary link between the European and the Pagan: these two have little in common: they want some point of contact; the European and Native mind seem to be cast in different moulds. If the Hindoo finds it very difficult to argue as we argue, and to view things as we view them, it is scarcely more easy for us to imagine our. selves in his condition, and to enter into the misconceptions and prejudices which obstruct his reception of the truth: the task is much the same as that of a man, who in the full maturity of understanding and knowledge should endeavour to divest himself of these, and to think as a child. It may have been observed, that I have mentioned the education of Native and other Christian Youth: in which I include a class of persons, who, though born in this country, are to be distinguished from Natives usually so denominated, being the offspring of European Parents: and I had more especially in view the sons of Missionaries, who might be glad to avail themselves of this opportunity to bring up their sons to the same profession. It may not, perhaps, be improper to add, that, when I was in the South of India, specific proposals of this kind were made to me by Missionaries of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge,

2. Another of the objects proposed is, to afford to Native Children instruction in useful knowledge, and especially in the English Language, without any immediate view to their becoming Christians. It seems now to be generally believed that little effect can be produced by preaching, while superstition and extreme ignorance are the prevailing characteristics of the people. We have not here, indeed, to encounter barbarism: the impediments to conversion are probably much greater than really rude and uncivilized life ever presents: the progress of our religion is here opposed by discipline and system: and by these alone, with the Divine blessing, can it ever make its way: the tenets of superstition are inculcated in early life: the popular writings are general tales familiarizing the mind with the achievements of Hindoo Divinities; and the Brahmin possesses an almost unbounded influence over the people committed to his care. While this state of things prevails, the truths of the Gospel are heard unheeded: they are not perceived to be truths, nor is there much disposition to examine them : they appeal to no recognized principle, and they excite no interest: the Hindoo,

if he reflect at all, finds atonement in his sacrifices, and a mediator in his priest. It is conceived, therefore, that one great instrument of the success of Christianity will be the diffusion of European Know. ledge: it seems almost impossible that they, who in their childhood shall have been accustomed to use their minds, can ever afterwards be capable of adopting the absurdities and reverencing the abomi nations now proposed to them as truth, and the acceptable worship of God: it is hoped that, by enlarging the sphere of their ideas generally, we shall teach them to inquire at least, upon subjects on which we do not professedly instruct them; and that they, who have been emancipated from superstition, may in time be brought to a knowledge of Christ.

I have, however, laid particular stress upon the teaching of English: if this were generally understood through the country, it would, I doubt not, entirely alter the condition of the people: it would give them access to our literature and habits of thinking; and the familiar use of it would tend very much to dissipate the prejudices and the indifference which now stand in the way of conversion. Our language is so unlike every thing Oriental, not merely in its structure, but in the ideas to which it is made subservient, in imagery, in metaphor, and in sentiment, that a competent acquaintance with it seems unavoid. ably to lead the mind of a Native into a new train of thought, and a wider field of reflection. We, in learning the languages of the East, acquire only a knowledge of words; but the Oriental, in learning our language, extends his knowledge of things.

The introduction of our language, however, into this country, to any great extent, is, in the present state of things, to be wished for rather than to be expected. To the acquisition of it there has not been much inducement. For almost every purpose of intercourse with the Natives, we have learnt their languages, instead of inviting them to learn ours: the effect of which has been, that they have hitherto known little more of our religion, our science, and our institutions, than may have transpired in an intercourse which had other objects in view. Still, however, parents are found, who are anxious that their children should acquire our language, especially in the neighbourhood of the Presidencies; and this disposition is increasing: a knowledge of English is found to facilitate the intercourse of the Natives with the commercial part of the community, especially since the opening of the trade; and it is useful in some of the public offices:-of this disposition we should avail ourselves as far as we can. Neither is there a backwardness to attend Schools for instruction in general knowledge; the only restriction is, that we do

not introduce the Scriptures, or books directly inculcating our religion and even that is by no means rigidly enforced. 3. In the third place, I would make the Mission College subservient to the purpose of Translations. Much has, indeed, been done or attempted in this way; but by no means, as I have reason to believe, so much and so well, as to make this department of Missionary Labour superfluous or unimportant. We still want Versions, which, instead of being the work of one or two individuals, should be the joint production of several, taking their allotted portions of Scripture, submitting their tasks to approved examiners, and sending the whole into the world under the sanction of authority. Rapidity of execution, and the carrying on of many Versions at the same time, should not be among the objects aimed at it is not to be expected that standard works can be thus produced. To the same department would be committed translations of our Liturgy, that thus copies of the Prayer Book might accompany the Scriptures: hence also might emanate translations of useful Tracts; or original ones better adapted perhaps than any which yet exist, to the use of the Natives: and it would be proper to include under this head what probably has not yet been attempted; I mean something which might convey to converts an idea of the nature of Christian Society and the constitution of the Church. Success, however, in this department, evidently supposes the College to be well established, and great progress to have been made in the languages by the persons connected with it; and at no period perhaps could it supply the number of labourers required: but it would doubtless receive assistance from without, from persons abundantly competent to afford it; and be a point of union for the exertions of all, who would wish the Native Christianity of India to be that of the Established Church.

4. In the last place, I consider the College as affording great advantages to Missionaries coming from England upon their first arrival: they would here live in the society of persons whose minds were directed to the same pursuits; they would have in the Moonshees attached to the Institution every facility for acquiring the languages; they would have the use of books; and they would acquire a knowledge of the manners and opinions of the Natives, before they proceeded to their destined scene of duty. Every Missionary must, in fact, have been a year or more in the country, before he can be at all efficient; and no where could he pass this interval so profitably as in such an Establishment.

It is obvious, however, that this plan will require considerable funds. The 50002. already voted will probably be suf

ficient to defray the expense of all requisite buildings, including the purchase of land. The annual expense of the Establishment is a subject of separate consideration; in the beginning we should require at least two persons, and afterwards three, to be permanently attached to the Seminary, as Professors or Teachers; and these should be Clergymen of the Church of England. The salary of the senior could not be well less than 400 sicca rupees per month, or 600l. per annum ; and that of his colleague or colleagues 300 sicca rupees per month, or 450l. per annum ; and I should hope, that men well qualified for the work, and really actuated by zeal in such a cause (without which all other qualifications would be useless) might be induced to accept the appointments; in addition to the salary, a residence capable of accommodating a family would be assign. ed to each. Two Moonshees or Native Teachers would cost together about 100%. per annum. Ten Students, as above de scribed, might be fed and clothed for about 500l. per annum; and a small establishment of servants would require about 100% per annum. These different heads of expenditure make up an annual sum of 2100 supposing three Professors; or 1650l. with two. Besides this, a Printing Establishment would in a few years re quire to be supported: and Native Schools would also be attended with some expense; about 361. per annum for every School of one hundred children, besides about 20%. for building a room or shed: but for this I have little doubt that the liberality of the Indian Public would in great measure provide, as has lately been done with respect to the Schools of the Calcutta Diocesan Committee. I do not know of any contingent expenses, except repairs, which in the case of new and substantial buildings could not amount to any thing considerable for the first twenty years.

But we are to recollect that our institution has for its leading object the education of persons who are afterwards to be maintained as Missionaries, Catechists, and Schoolmasters, and to act under and in concert with Missionaries to be sent out from England. I suppose every Missionary Station to be the residence of an EnglishMissionary (a Clergyman,) and one or two Missionaries educated in the College, and who might perhaps be ordained; or a Mis, sionary and a Catechist, and a Schoolmas ter, all from the College. This would be the state of things, when the system was in full action, and any considerable progress had been made. The English Missionary would be indispensable, to direct the course of proceedings, and to give respectability and energy to the Mission: while the Native Missionaries would be necessary, not only for the tasks assigned them, but to give the English Missionary

easier access to the Natives, and to assist him in encountering opinions and habits with which an European must be less conversant. It is difficult to determine, or rather to conjecture, how many Stations thus constituted, the College, with the proposed number of Students, might in any given period supply: much, of course, would depend upon the age of admission and the time required for their studies, according to which the succession would be quicker or slower: but the admission might be so regulated as to supply any demand not beyond its actual power, which demand would be limited by the funds applicable to the support of Missionaries, &c. brought up in the College. Upon any reasonable supposition, however, a College of ten students would very soon supply all that could be required for three Missionary Stations constituted as already described; after which, if necessary, the admissions might be reduced. With respect to the English Missionary, who should be a Clergyman, he would require a salary of 250%. per annum, and his assistants from the College from 150l. to 80%. each, according to the class of persons to which they belonged; or among them 350%. per annum ;-and small dwellings, or bungalows, as we call them in this country, should be provided; of which, however, the original cost is little, and it could not Frequently recur. Independently of this charge, and of a small Chapel at each station, to be built in due time, which might cost perhaps 500l. we should have three Missionary Stations well provided, at the expense of 6007. each, or 18007. for the three: and if these should have the blessing of God, and means were found to extend the system, it might be done almost indefinitely with a moderate addition of expense within the College; without any, in fact, till it should be found necessary to increase the number of Students.

But in this detail of annual expenditure, which I should hope does not exceed what may be expected from the public benevolence at home, when appealed to by the highest authorities, and assisted perhaps in India, I should observe, that some time must elapse, even in the most prosperous commencement of the work, before the funds required can be nearly so considerable as I have here supposed. The expense, which is to accrue without the walls of the College, could not arise for some time: and even the whole of the charge for Students would not be immediate, inasmuch as the Professors or Teachers must devote some time after their arrival to the acquisition of the languages, before they could instruct pupils unacquainted with English. The Establishment would at first consist of the two English Professors, perhaps a very few pupils acquainted with our language, two Moonshees, and a few servants. In

process of time, indeed, such an Institution might, if blessed by the Almighty, multiply its labours and extend its operations through so wide a field as to baffle all present calculation of its future wants: but the Society, I apprehend, will not consider this remote contingency as an objection to such appropriation of any resources which Providence may place at their disposal.

No funds, however, can ensure a reasonable prospect of success in such an undertaking, unless the persons selected to execute it have the requisite qualifications. The Clergymen, sent out to conduct the labours of the College, must possess considerable endowments; he, of course, especially, who is to be at the head of it. They should be, if not distinguished for general scholarship, at least respectable divines, acquainted with the Scriptures in the originals; of frugal and laborious habits; and possessing a talent for languages: and without a certain ardour of character, a deep feeling of the importance of the du ties committed to them, and a disposition to value success in such an enterprize more than that in any other human pursuit, they would not, I fear, answer the end proposed. The senior should not, I imagine, be more than thirty years of age, and his colleagues might be somewhat younger. With respect both to the Professors and the Missionaries, I would observe, that temper and manner are here of the utmost importance: the Natives require in their teachers great patience and mildness: they do not feel strongly themselves, and they are easily disgusted by any thing like asperity or irritation. I hardly need add, that they should be men of sedate habits and of serious piety: the Natives look for these qualities in all, who seem to them to set up for teachers; though they do not find it, or perhaps expect it in their hereditary priesthood. Vacancies in the Professorships should, I conceive, be filled up from among the Missionaries; not with reference merely to seniority, but to merit and qualifications.

You will observe, that I have supposed the College to be in the immediate vici. nity of Calcutta: several considerations make this expedient. The time appears to have arrived, when it is desirable that some Missionary Endeavours at least should have a visible connexion with the Church Establishment: the Natives have a preference, all other things being equal, for that which is countenanced by authority: and this seems to point out the propriety of placing this Establishment within the Bishop's reach (I speak for myself and my successors), that they may in some measure superintend its proceedings, and make it apparent that the propagation of our religion is not a matter of so little interest with us, as to be left entirely to per