on the 11th arrived at Malacca, where he employed himself in the same manner till the 18th, and on the 5th of September rejoined his family in China.

During the time Mr. Milne remained in China, he composed a Treatise on the Life of Christ, in Chinese, which was printed in Canton in February, 1815. It was divided into twenty sections and a preface, and not being accurately written, was corrected by Mr. Morrison. The book was generally understood by the lower classes of the Chinese, and was often read with interest. Many copies of it have been printed, and widely dispersed.

On the 17th of April following, Mr. Milne and his family embarked for Malacca, he and Mr. Morrison having fixed upon that spot on many accounts, the best adapted for the Ultra Ganges Mission. While at sea, Mrs. M. was delivered of twin boys, and after 35 days' passage, they safely reached their destination, where they were most kindly received by Major Farquhar the resident.

The Dutch Protestant Christians in Malacca, having lost their pastor by death, Mr. Milne was requested to take his place, but not being disposed to relinquish the Heathen, he declined the offer. He, however, preached a short discourse in Eng. lish, among them, once every week, and having received an allowance, he for two years, wholly relieved the Missionary Society from the burden of his mission. His labours were occasionally continued, but indifferent health obliged him to draw upon the directors.

On the 5th of August, 1815, Mr. Milne opened a free school at Malacca, for the children of Chinese, for which purpose he employed a Chinese master. He soon had fifteen scholars, and they

were permitted by their parents to learn Mr. Morrison's catechism, and they also attended divine worship with the master. On the same day, Mr. Milne commenced a periodical publication in the Chinese language. Of this small work, about 500 were printed monthly, and circulated through a number of the Chinese settlements. In a few years, the edition was increased to a thousand. For more than two years all the concerns of the Chinese Mission devolved entirely upon our Missionary. He had a translation of part of the Old Testament in hand; the papers for the magazine to prepare monthly; the schools to oversee; and his knowledge of the language, being imperfect, a good deal of time was necessarily taken up daily in study. Besides these engagements, in the first year of the Mission regular services were begun on the week days, and on the Sabbaths. Every morning, the Chinese domestics, workmen, and scholars, met for Christian worship. A portion of the New Testament, or of such other books as had then been printed, was read, and short practical remarks were made on it; after which prayers were offered up. On the Sabbaths Mr. M.'s engagement at the Dutch church obliged him to postpone the morning exercise till mid-day. At one o'clock the Chinese scriptures were read, and something in the form of an exhortation, and longer than that usual on week days, was delivered.

At half-past three, the scholars were examined, and heard repeat their catechism. About five Mr. M. distributed tracts in the town, or conversed with the heathen. At eight o'clock the scriptures were again read, remarks were made on them, and a short prayer concluded the service. Seldom more than twenty adults attended, from three to eight was the ordinary number. Many

copies of the scriptures and tracts were also dispersed through various mediums and went to distant parts, and Mr. M. visited different ships as they arrived from China.

In the close of the year 1815, the Ultra-Ganges Mission Library was formed, one object of its formation being to assist Missionaries who in travelling could not carry many books with them, and another to aid the students of an intended public seminary. This library, which begun with ten small volumes of European books, and a very few of Chinese, has now much increased.

On a memorial being presented by Mr. Milne to the honourable the Governor in Council, at Penang, a grant was made of ground for the erection of missionary buildings, subject to the future approbation of the Dutch government when the place should be given up; permission was allowed for a free press at Malacca; and the privilege was granted of free passages in cruising vessels, for the members of the Ultra-Ganges Missions, to such parts of the Archipelago, as the cruisers should be visiting, and where the Missionaries might have need to go.

By this time the Chinese scholars had increased to nearly sixty, and Mr. M. finding no catechism exactly adapted to the children of heathens, composed for them 'The Youths' Catechism'-which was finished in the summer of 1816. A considerable part of this work was written in affliction, and under an impression that it might probably be the last service the author should be permitted to attempt for the instruction of the Chinese. The same year Mr. M. wrote and printed two new tracts called The Strait Gate,' and The Sin of Lying. A translation of the book of Deuteronomy, by Mr. Milne, was also printed, being first

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revised by Mr. Morrison. The Chinese printer to the mission, was this year baptized, and made a good confession of faith.

In the spring of this year a printing-press was set up, and owing to some mistake, six printers were forwarded from Bengal, instead of two. Mr. M. not being able to dismiss them, yet having nothing ready to occupy their time, resolved on printing some English copies of Bogue on the New Testament, and Doddridge's Rise and Progress, for the purpose of distributing them among the thousands of English that visit those parts; some of these were subscribed for, some were purchased for distribution, some sent for sale to India; and the rest given to various Missionaries.

On the 2d of May was born David Milne, who died two days after his birth.

In January, 1817, a row of buildings was completed, which are so constructed that they may be used for printing or residences, as occasion may require. In the spring of the same year the New Testament was reprinted, and shortly after the Chinese Gleaner was begun. This work is designed for English readers, and throws much light on the state of China, and the nature of the Mission. The first number appeared in the month of May. The work has been published quarterly. We fear the recent death of Dr. Milne, and the absence of Dr. Morrison, who is returning to visit his native country, will, for a while, cause the suspension of this interesting publication. It is, however, to be regretted that it has not paid its expenses. It is intended that the profits, if there may be any, shall be devoted to the fund for widows and orphans of Missionaries belonging to the Ultra-Ganges Missions, and to charities among the heathens, that is, to feed, clothe, and educate

their children, and assist very indigent persons who have been converts to Christianity.

On the 7th of April this year Mrs. Milne bore a daughter, named Sarah, who died in a few days. Mrs. M. herself was very ill, but so far recovered as to be able to take a voyage in July, and arrived with her children at Macao on the 29th. Mr. Milne having no coadjutor in his labours, was with pain obliged to separate from her for a while, and leave her in her weak state to pursue her voyage alone. Such are the sacrifices Missionaries are obliged to make.

In the course of the summer, two evening services, in Chinese, were begun in the town and continued for two months, but Mr. M.'s distant engagements then suspended them till the summer of 1819.

Mr. M. was now borne down by a load of labours and cares, when the Rev. Walter Henry Medhurst arrived as his colleague, June 12th. This gentleman was well qualified for his work. He had received his education at St. Paul's School, and from habits of study commenced the Chinese language with diligence, and pursued it with great

success.

From the 3d of September, till the February following, Mr. Milne was in China with his family, Mr. Medhurst having remained to superintend the affairs at Malacca.

Previously to his departure for China, Mr. M. had finished a translation of the Book of Joshua, and while there, he translated the Book of Judges. An Exposition of the Lord's Prayer, begun by weekly lectures, in a small temple, at Malacca, was filled up and finished there; and a tract on the folly of idolatry written, both of which were afterwards printed.