RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. EAST INDIES. GENTOO MISSION. A LETTER, of a very pleasing and satisfactory nature, has been lately received by the Directors of the Missionary Society, from the Brethren, George Cran and Augustus Desgranges, dated Vizagpatnam, Oct. 16, 1805, together with their Journal, from March the 4th to September the 8th. Their first residence in India was at Tranquebar, where they had an opportunity to consult with the worthy Brethren of the Danish Mission, and to commence the study of the languageof the country. In the beginning of March 1805, Mr. Cran and Mr. Desgranges judged it best to remove to Madras; where they arrived on the 6th of that month, and had a pleasant meeting with the Baptist Missionaries, who have since (April 27), left that place for Serampore. At Madras they met with very kind friends; some of whom occupy the most respectable stations, and who were of eminent service to them in forwarding their Missionary views. After consulting with gentlemen of the best information, earnestly seeking direction from above, and maturely weighing all the circumstances of the case, they determined to leave Madras, and to proceed northward to the Gentoos. One inducement to this decision was, that they might not seem to interfere with any missions already established in that neighbourhood. The good providence of God eminently favoured their views, and sanctioned their decision; for they procured such excellent recommendations from persons high in office, that they were very cordially received by the principal Europeans at Vizagpatnam, where they arrived July the 18th. A worthy Eng. lish gentleman (a magistrate) had becu in the habit of performing divine service himself in the Court-House, before the gentlemen of the settlement, the soldiers of the garrison, and a num ber of half-cast people: the Mission aries were immediately requested to undertake this office in his stead, which they willingly assented to; and have since been remunerated by a small salary. The town of Vizagpatnam contains about 20,000 inhabitants, chiefly idolaters; and the neighbourhood is also very populous. Here then, under the most favourable circumstances imaginable, our dear Missionary Brethren have sat down, and will commence their labours in a country full of inhabitants, aud with every recommendation that can be desired, as soon as they have made themselves masters of the Telinga, or Gentoo language, spoken in those parts. While at Madras, they had diligently studied the Taumlian language; which they had soon the mortification to find differed considerably from that spoken among the Gentoos, where they now are. There can be no doubt, however, that their pious industry will soon surmount every difficulty of this kind; and that they will very soon be able to preach among these poor, superstitious, idolatrous Heathens, "the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ." Their study of the Gentoo language will be happily facilitated by a manuscript dictionary, providentially put into their hands by a gentleman who was about to return to England. In the mean time, they have the privilege of preaching every Lord's Day to the white people in the fort, who amount to about sixty persons. The conclusion of the Journal from the Missionaries is so animated and encouraging, that we are persuaded it will be highly gratifying to our readers. "We cannot close this Journal, dear Fathers and Brethren, without laying before you the importance of the situa tion in which we are placed, earnestly intreating you to send out more Mis RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. sionaries to assist us. In the town where we now reside, there are above 20,000 inhabitants, perishing for lack of knowledge. Within a few miles of us, on all sides, there are numbers of large villages, where thousands of the Heathen live in the grossest idolatry, and who claim our pity and compas. sion. This place is nearly central, which makes it most favourable for branching out into any part of the Circars. We have hundreds of miles to the right and left of us, where we may labour with freedom, and where we shall have no brethren to complain that we interfere with their mission. Its being on the coast, and continually cooled by the sea breezes, makes it advantageous for the health of the Missionaries on their first entrance into the Country. An European going into the interior of India, immediately after his arrival, is likely to have his constitution impaired for life. By having the Missionary station on the coast, they will necessarily be detained there a year or inore, while learning the language, which will tend to inure them to the climate, without endangering their health. While they are attaining the language, they may be very useful by preaching in English, teaching schools, and other Missionary employments, which will relieve those Missionaries who have attained the language, and enable them to itinerate through the whole of the Circars; also to Hydrabad, Golconda, and Bangalore, where the Telinga language is spoken. This spot is not less favourable for entering the Cattack and Mahratta countries. We understand that there is but little difference in the languages. The Mahratta country appears to us an important field for Missionary exertions. On this account we rejoice that a Mission is about to he established at Surat. Our opposite situation will afford an opportunity of Missionaries being sent from both these stations into the Mahratta country. These may neet each other in the centre, and bid “God speel." It is many days journey from hence. "Glorious things are spoken of the City of God." Zion shall break forth on the right hand and the left! When we read the animating prospects presented to us in the sacred Scriptures, of the whole world becoming subjects of Christ's kingdom, we are sure that we are not straitened in God; an!, therefore, think it would be sinful to be straitened in our own souls. We 135 are aware that the conversion of the inhabitants of those extensive countries which we hope to traverse, will not be the work of a day, but of years. It was a work of years which the Missionary Society was founded to accomplish; and we doubt not, if present advantages be embraced with sufficient energy, that many of its Members will live to see the blessed day, when the Sun of Righteousness shall shine with such resplendent glory on the millions of India, as wholly to dispel the dark clouds of Idolatry which at present overshadow them, and diffuse among them an unspeakable measure of the light of the glorious gospel! "But more Missionaries are wanted. Our number is small. While we are laying the foundation, we trust that our friends in England will not delay to send out numbers to raise the superstructure of a work, in the accomplishment of which God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all who bear the divine image, are so deeply interested. "Would to God that all the Ministers in our native country, the Students at the different Seminaries, and the Religious Public, could see what we see, and hear what we hear! Every man bowing to a stock of wood, or to a stone, would prove a new argument to "Come over and help us." The horrid noise of thousands of idolaters, at the celebration of their festivals, would sound like thunder in their ears. "Haste! haste to the help of the Lord against the mighty!" And those who could not themselves come, would have the number and ardour of their addresses to the throne of grace increased an hundred fold, "Not doubting that your zeal for the glory of Gol will actuate you to tike our situation into consideration, and to send out more labourers into this promising field, we, with the greatest pleasure, dear Fathers and Brethren, your very sincere, very affectionate AUGUSTUS DESGRANGES." P. S. Mr. Ringeltaube, who went out with Messrs. Cran and Desgranges, judged it best to contine at Tranquebar; where he has made a considerable progress in the Tamulean language, and will probably labour in the Tamul country. We are happy to hear that the Missionaries have distributed many of the Persian Tracts which were printed in London, and sent out to them. Some Religious Tracts have also been printed in English at Madras, by an English clergyman. SURAT MISSION. On the 25th of June, 1805, when the Brethren Cran and Desgranges were preparing to leave Madras, they had the great but unexpected pleasure of meeting with Dr. Taylor and Mr. Loveless (appointed to the Surat Mission) who arrived safety and in health at Madras; and were introduced to them at the house of a friend, where they were invited to dine. These Missionaries were also kindly received. Dr.Taylor intended to proceed to Bengal, to confer with the Baptist Missionaries. In the mean time Mr. Loveless will stay at Madras; and proceed with Dr. Taylor, on his return, to Surat. GREEK CHURCH. Extract of a Letter from Mr.Jung, Piør fessor and Counsellor of the Elector of Baden. Heidelberg, May 12, 18050x "It is singularly remarkable, that the Lord is at present didusing his awakening influences in flie Russian Empire. The Greek church has hitherto resembled a large field of dry bones, without spirit or life. But now extensive awakenings are taking place, which are promoted by some very respectable characters in the Senate." FRANCE AND ITALY. The same Gentleman adds, concerning these Countries, "The falling away, however, predicted in 2 Thess. ii. spreads surpriz ingly in several parts of the Continent. On the other hand, Popery begins to raise its head. The Emperor Napoleon has hitherto favoured Toleration; otherwise a spirit of persecution would already have appeared. I have lately heard of some awful instances of Popish bigotry. The late journey of the Pope to Paris has acted like an electric shock throughout France: and in In consequence of a serious attention to religion in the town of Granville, in the northern part of the State of New York, a General Meeting of the Clergy and People was invited to be holden there on the 18th of June last. On this occasion a large concourse of people assembled, in a convenient grove, where a stage was erected for the clergy; and from which they addressed thousands of their fellowmortals, on the great concerns of eter nity. The exercises commenced with an introductory address, stating the object of the meeting, impressing the minds of the listening multitude with the solemnity of the occasion, and by invoking the divine presence and blessing. They were continued by preachifig, exhortation, and prayer, interspersed with songs of praise, with proper intermissions for two days successively. The great and important truths of the gospel which were unfolded, the zeal and ardor of the ministers of religion for the salvation of immortal souls, and the serious attention of the crowded multitude, exhibited a scene highly solemn and interesting. No person could be a triller there, unless he was peculiarly hardened and lost to all the solemnities of eternity. The utmost decorum prevailed throughout the whole of the exercises; and the great assembly, collected under the canopy of Licaven, appeared to consider themselves in the awful presence of Him who fills immensity. At the conclusion, nearly twenty persons were baptized, between forty and fifty entered publicly into covenant with God, and were added to the church; and the holy communion was celebrated. It was computed, that about 1000 persous, from different churches, sat down together and commemorated the. death of their exalted Lord. The whole assembly was estimated at 4000; and notwithstand * It is understood, that in this part of the country, there are no places for public worship. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. ing this large and promiscuous multitude, no noise disturbed the general devotion. Thus the Sovereign of the Universe is remarkably accomplishing his promises, in causing "the wilderness to blossom as the rose, and the desart to rejoice and be glad!" The General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, at their Meeting in Philadelphia, in May last, having taken into serious consideration the unhappy prevalence of the practice of Duelling in the United States, and being anxiously desirous of contributing what may be in their power, consistently with their character and situation, to discountenance and abolish this practice, Resolved unanimously, That they do, in the most unequivocal manner, declare their utter abhorrence of the practice of Duelling, and of all measures tending thereto, as originating from the malevolent dispositions of the liuman heart, and a false sense of honbur; as a remnant of Gothic barbarianism; as implying a presumptuous and highly criminal appeal to God, as the Sovereign Judge: as utterly inconsistent with every just principle of moral conduct; as a direct violation of the Sixth Commandment, and destructive of the peace and happiness of families; and the Assembly do hereby recommend it to the ministers in their connexion, to discountenance, by all proper means in their power, this scandalous practice.. "Resolved also, That it be recommended to all ministers under the care of the Assembly, that they scrupul Mously refuse to attend the funeral of any person who shall have fallen in a' duel; and that they admit no person, who shall have fought a duel, given or accepted a challenge, or been accessary thereto, unto the distinguishing privileges of the church, until he manifest a just sense of his guilt, and XIV. 137 give satisfactory evidence of repent ance." COPENHAGEN. Extract of a Letter from Messrs given to understand that the Danes MISSIONARY COLLECTIONS. " Rev. T. Edwards and Friends, Three Crosses, Glamorgansh. Stirling Missionary Society 5 8 10 A few Friends to the Establishment, Donington, Lincolnshire 13 A Case of Goods, marked M. S. left at the Treasurer's, No. 9, T 90077 32 4 6 SPANISH AND FRENCH A number of Tracts, printed in the Spanish language, have been distributed among the Spanish Prisoners on board the prison ships at Portsmouth. The men receive them gladly. The New Testament in Spanish is now printing, with a view of being distributed among them; and it is hoped will be carried by them into Spain, where, the prisoners say, many of their countrymen would be glad to read it, if permitted so to do. A number of Dutch Tracts have also been printed and dispersed among the Dutch prisoners. We rejoice to hear that an evangelical minister, who is well acquainted with the French tongue, is permitted to preach on the Lord's Day to the French prisoners on board the prison ships at Portsmouth. Thus we hope that some of those whom war has rendered the prisoners of man, will, by the power of the Holy Spirit accompanying gospel truth, be made the Lord's free-men. Such, we know, was a few years ago the happy event as to one, who is now a Protestant minister in France. Ir may be somewhat satisfactory to know how the very liberal supply of Tracts furnished by the Tract Society the latter end of last year, have been disposed of. Those addressed to the aged have all been given to the hoaryheaded seamen in Greenwich Hospital. The rest of the tracts, in English, to the new raised seamen and landmen for the fleet; excepting some, distributed in his Majesty's dock-yard at Deptford while the vessel was refitting there, very recently, and some few to the recovered sick from one of the hospitalships.-Most of the tracts in the French language I have also dispersed to the French prisoners of war. I can testify, that these excellent little books have been the means of preventing much vice and immorality; and I am not |