The British and Foreign Bible Society have acquired a sacred right to the everlasting gratitude of the Society of St. Petersburg; which cannot at the same time but give a solemn testimony to the indefatigable co-operation of their Member, the Rev. John Paterson, in their splendid

successes.

Accept, my Lord, of the assurance of my esteem and most unfeigned respect for your person.

I have the honour to be,

Your Lordship's most humble

And most obedient Servant, PRINCE ALEXANDER GALITZIN.

FINLAND.

Extract of an Address from the Abo Bible Society, to the British and Foreign Bible Society.

The Subscriptions and Collections toward the Bible cause in this poor country, which, but a few years ago, had been desolated by war and famine, have greatly exceeded the highest expectations of this Society. For this, no doubt you will join us in blessing God; inasmuch as it affords a decisive proof that the prevalence of infidelity, of indifference to divine things, and of a practical levity, not less destructive than either, has not extinguished, in the breast of this generally poor but manly and industrious nation, an ardent love for the Word of God; and a pleasing hope that He will lift upon them the light of his reconciled countenance in Christ, and, with temporal peace and quiet, grant them that peace of God which passeth all understanding, and which shall end in everlasting rest in a better world.

March 29,

(Signed)

1814.

On behalf of the Bible Society,
STEINHEIL,

Governor General of Finland.

INDIA-AGRA.
-AGRA.

Journal of Abdocl Messee, one of the Readers supported in India by the Church Missionary Society: written by one of the Chaplains of the Honourable East-India Company.

(Continued from p. 157.)

WE introduce this Journal to our readers with great pleasure. It exhibits various indications that the time of God's mercy toward India is fast approaching; and that it may soon be said of India, while looking on the abominations of the multitude, or the "altars to the unknown God" of the more refined, "the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men every where to repent, because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom hé hath ordained." It is evident from this Journal, and from other communications respecting India, that a spirit of inquiry is rapidly diffusing itself, especially among the Musselmen; and the most happy consequences may be confidently anticipated, through the Divine Blessing on the judicious and conciliating measures pursued by the real friends of India to enlighten and benefit her immense population.

We refer our readers for some account of Abdool Messee to our First Volume, pp. 261–266. The Fourteenth Report of the Church Missionary Society, delivered at the Anniversary on the 3d of May, contains other interesting particulars respecting him. The Rev. T. T. Thomason, of Calcutta, writes to the Secretary, under date of Oct. 9, 1813;

If you have safely received a packet which I forwarded for you last June, containing a Diary of Abdool's Journey from Calcutta to Agra, you will be pre

pared to hear more of that useful labourer. I have now the pleasure to send you a continuation of the Journal, giving an account of his labours in Agra, up to the latter end of August. His progress in every Missionary Gift is equal to our fondest expectation: his success in Missionary Labour greatly exceeds our hope. For we could not have ventured to hope for such rapid and extraordinary effects as have attended his ministrations at Agra in this short period. A bright day seems to be rising on those parts. What may we not expect from beginnings so prosperously breaking out among us? If it should please God to continue Corrie and Abdool together, we may hope for extensive fruits. The Address to us from. Mr. Corrie, a copy of which is enclosed, has given rise to an Association among the friends of Christianity in this place, for the support of Corrie's Institution *.. Though we feel ourselves acting under and for your Society, we have not yet published our proceedings, or designated our Society as auxiliary to yours. The title assumed by the subscription paper in circulation, is "A Fund for the establishment and support of Native. Schools, under the superintendance of the Rev.D. Corrie, at Agra, or elsewhere." The subscription amounts to nearly 4001. per annum, which will go far in supporting the establishment; and I have some hope that it may even exceed that sum.

But all the particulars of this institution, with the proceedings arising out of it, shall be regularly transmitted to you, for the information of your Society.

The Hindoostanee New Testament, by the lamented Martyn, assisted by the learned native Mirza Fitrut, is printing. The Gospel of St. Matthew, as soon as it was struck off, was distributed liberally by Abdool, as will be seen by his Journal. He doubt less feels especial pleasure in enlightening his countrymen by means of the blessed labours of that man to whom, under the grace of the Holy Spirit, he himself owes all his knowledge of the Gospel of Christ.

*This Address will be found in the Fourteenth Report of the Church Missionary Society. We do not print it here, as it consists chiefly of an Abstract of Abdool's Proceedings, which are here given at large. EDITORS.

The Committee of the Church Missionary Society, on the view of the prospects opening before it in India, have doubled the graut which they had before made to the Corresponding Committee at Calcutta, and now appropriate, beside the salaries allotted to its Missionaries, the sum of 500l. per annum to the support of Schools in India, and 5007. per annum to the establishment of Readers and Catechists and the furtherance there of the Society's general designs and there is every reasonable expectation of a far larger sum being soon called for, and of liberal support to the funds from the European residents in India.

1

March 13, 1813.-Arrived at Agra. Abdool had come on some days before, and related several conversations with persons on the way about religion. Many copies of St. Matthew given away. On one occasion the number and names of the travellers were to be reported at the police. It was late when the requisition come from the head-man of the village. Abdool was unwell, and desired the eldest Christian Boy to go along with the police officer to make the report, On writing the names, the head-man of the village, a Hindoo, said, some of these names he had never heard before, and asked who Abdool Messee might be, and what caste the boy himself was. The boy answered, he was an Isace (i.e. Christian.) The man asked what religion that might be. The boy replied, that of the English: and that he had a book, by reading which, they might learn what kind of religion it was; and, if they would listen, he would read in it to them. They consented. About midnight Abdool awoke; and, on inquiring for the boy, whom he missed, was told he had come and taken his book, and was gone again. Abdool, anxious for his safety, rose and went to seek him. After going to two or three places, he found him in the midst of a large company, reading St. Matthew's Gospel. On inquiring in Agra for a house for Abdool, one was found every way desirable; the rent agreed on, and possession in part given; but Abdool's character being in the mean time made known, the owner, a Maho

metan, drew back, and would not accept him for a

tenant.

On account of a late scarcity in the Mahratta Country, many hundreds of poor creatures have flocked to this neighbourhood in quest of food. Abdool went to the skirts of the town, where they resort, and gave pice (halfpence) away; inviting them, at the same time, to hear the Gospel, and send their children to him to learn to read. At first they received him as an Angel of Light: but a report was spread among them, that he was an Arabian, and sought to carry off their children: so that for several days the poor creatures refused to receive the charity which he offered them, or to hear any thing from him.

Sunday, March 21, 1813.-About three P.M. six native Christians, beside the children, &c. attended Hindoostanee Worship in the Fort, with whom Abdool read prayers, and expounded Luke v., it being the chapter in order of reading. His talent for expounding greatly improves, and discovers more and more of the influence of Divine Grace on his mind. In the evening many hundreds of the poor assembled near the Fort, to whom Abdool read and explained briefly the Ten Commandments. Many cried out, "These are true words; and the curse of God will be upon us if we obey them not !"

March 22.- Set our Native School in order, by appointing six of the head boys to learn English on the New British Plan, that some or all of them might, through the Divine Blessing, become translators. They all continue to learn the Catechism in the mornings, with Persian during the day; and attend Morning and Evening Worship, in which, Abdool officiates, by reading a chapter and making remarks upon it, using some prayers from the Liturgy afterward.

Sunday, March 28.-At Three o'clock, the congregation of Native Christians consisted of about forty persons. Abdool explained the Gospel of St. Luke in order; and read and commented on the fourteenth chapter. Some of the people staid to inquire who he was, and said they felt their hearts much affected whilst he was addressing them. In the evening he went into the town. A great crowd collected to receive charity. Before he distributed the pice, he explained the original state and the fall of man. Many sat quietly; evidently more taken up with the discourse, than with their own necessities. Some of