for private devotion; and also, there is too much pains taken to work up the affections and frame to a height, without taking equal care of a suitable growth and improvement in the judgident and conversation,--which makes fanciful rather than solid Christians. We are frequently more earnest to have the consolations and smiles of Christ, than careful to take on the whole yoke of Christ, or to walk in a steady course of obedience, mortifying and subduing our own wills and tempers." These remarks equally apply to many professors of the present day; and as such, we subint them to their serious and practical observation. The Transactions of the Missionary Society, No. XVI. Price Is. THIS Number, which concludes the second volume of his entertaining and interesting work, is wholly composed of papers relating to the four inissions of the Society in the Last, viz, that of Mess. Vos, Palm, and Errhardt, in Ceylon; that of Messrs. Cran and Desgranges at Vizigapatnam; - of Dr. Tayler to Surat; -- and of Ringeltanbe, now at Tinevelly, as is supposed. The Letters and Journals of the latter Missionary contain some curious particulars of the customs of the Hindoos, and of the natural history of the country. Of the former, some which relate to their superstitions, are very affecting to a serious mind. At Elunga Mangalam he was witness to a religious ceremony, where, in a grove of olive trees, enveloped in a cloud of smoke, the people presented offerings to a little copper idol, placed high on a shewy triumphal car, with purple curtains and flying colours. The car contained also a smoking altar, brahmins, musicians, and dancing girls; and was drawn with ropes by 200 people. At a neighbouring town, a much heavier car is drawn by two long cables, by some thousands of people. On another occasion he beheld the ceremony of burning the dead body of a married woman, who had died on the morning of that day: the funeral pile being fired by her husband and sons. Mr. Ringeltaube says (page 428) "The government in this country seems to have adopted this principle, namely, "That it is but fair to let honest Missionaries try what they can do:" and in many instances they have come forward to assist them. Government deserves our best wishes, warmest thanks, and incessant prayers. Among the gentlemen living in this country, there are a few that will exert themselves a little for Missionary purposes. Hopes are entertained by them and us, that Missionaries will come out in a direct If way, and in greater numbers. Britons know their own interest, they will certainly encourage all attempts to evangelize their subjects and dependNothing would secure their possessions so completely as the conversion of their Indian subjects. ants. 66 Lately a man from Travancore came to me, to beg I would come down and help them: there are 800 people there that wish to be baptized. It struck me as a call from God, in answer to my incessant prayers for direction. In short, in his name I will try-all our friends wish the same." In a subsequent part of his Journal Mr. Ringeltaube copies a letter from a gentleman in the Tinevelly district, to a friend at Tranquebar, relating the vexations which the Christians there met with, from the blind zeal of the Heathens and Mahometans. It appears, that by the black underlings of the collectors, many Christians were driven from their homes, put in the stocks, and exposed for a fortnight together to the heat of the raging sun, and the chilling dews of the night, all because there is no European Missionary to bring their complaints to the ear of government, who, have never been deficient in their duty to afford redress in these cases. Mr. Ringeltaube adds, "There are so many calls from different quarters to take the state of the Christians in Tinevelly to heart, that all opposition and imaginary obstacles dwindled away; and I came to a final resolution to go to Palamcotta. I intend to go immediately after the rainy season.” Mr. Ringeltaube has the prospect of obtaining an able assistant, a Mr. Wheatly, a native of India, in the great labours which he has in prospect. Mr. Ringeltaube expresses his hope that the Directors are still of opinion, "That the money of the Society should be employed where the greatest number of immortal souls, liable to be saved, or to perish for ever, present themselves to our view. I hope you will find that what you may spend in the south of this peninsula, is money by no means thrown away. I confess I am often troubled, when I consider the smallness of your means in hand, and the disproportionate demands that will come upon you. However, let us not reason, but steadily go on in the path of duty, casting all our cares on the Lord. The devil has a thousand ways REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. to open peoples' purses: the Lord has one way which never fails him: he first opens their hearts, and immediately the pocket sympathizes with it. "I am in hopes that a proper system to enlighten the millions of India, will soon become a national concern with the inhabitants of the motherIf there is such a thing as country. true policy left to Englishmen, they will not much longer overlook this im portant point. If they do, they will, within thirty years, find the Roman (Catholic) religion overspread a great part of the peninsula; and the French will no doubt build their nest in the boughs of that tree: but late events, in favour of the Indian missions, give a fairer prospect." The Directors, aware of the importance of that field of Missionary Labours which the Tinevelly country affords, have authorized him to engage Mr. Wheatly; and also a few Catechists, such as he may find most use. ful and devoted to the work. [To be concluded in the Supplement.] The Travels of Seektruth: an Allegory. IT has been justly observed, that proved, and some names altered for St. Ann's, THE institution of Missionary So. chanan (of the East Indies) lately published, stating some of the superstitious and cruel practices of the Hindoos, which certainly afford an additional argument for the most vigorous exertions of Missionary Societies. The Report, annexed to this sermon, relates to the proceedings of Mr. Renner and Mr. Hartwig, their Missionaries near Sierra Leone; both of whom had been visited with frequent attacks of fever. In August 1805, Messrs. Nylander, Butscher, and Prasse were received as Missionaries; and sailed, Feb. 12, 1806, in a vessel for Africa, from Liverpool. On the 23d, the vessel was stranded on the coast of Ireland, near Wexford; but the passengers got safely on shore. The Missionaries proceeded to Bristol, where they embarked for Sierra Leone, April 22. - We are sorry to hear that, in consequence of the master of the vessel not being adequate to conduct it to Africa, the Missionaries were landed at Madeira; and obliged to stay there for another conveyance to the place of their destination. The Society has taken under its protection three more students in the seminary at Berlin; and have it in contemplation to send them to such part of the East as shall present the greatest prospect of usefulness. The Appendix to the Report contains Extracts from the Journal of Mr. Hartwig, in the Rio Pongas; Instructions to Messrs. Nylander, Butscher, and Prasse; and an excellent Address or Charge to the above-named Missionaries, previous to their departure to the Susoo nation. The subscriptions, dividends, collections, &c. within the year, amounted to 42811. 9 d. Their actual expenditure appears to have been 18041. 115. gd. A faithful Account of an important J. Jamieson, D. D. F. R. & A. S. S. AMONG the various modes of communicating religious instruction, the allegorical may prefer a strong claim to eminence and usefulness. The example of the inspired penman renders it lawful, and the success by which it has been followed, has induced many writers to adopt it. Of the vast number of these productions, there are, however, few which have not been so strained and fanciful as to expose at the same time the author's good intentions and his weakness. Nor do we conceive it possible for any one to exe 2 cute a piece of this kind well, who has not considerable strength of judgment to controul the movements of his imagination. This little work, which now passes under our review, contains a figurative representation of the human conscience, as it is darkened and defiled by sin,- of the remains of natural light which are found in it, — of its various operations, while the sinner is in an unregenerate state, of the struggles in which it is engaged, when he is brought under conviction, - and of its subsequent peace, when the lowly penitent receives a free absolution thro' the merits of Jesus. We have little room for quotations; but the following short passage will give an idea of the author's manner: Speaking of the hall in which the trial was to be conducted, he thus describes it: "This hall had been originally ornamented with certain laws, inscribed in letters of gold on the walls themselves, so as to form part of the finishing. Some of the larger letters were still discernible; but the smaller were quite indistinct. In some places, I could observe what must have been originally meant as a prohi bition; but the introductory words, "Thou shall not," were all that could be read. In other places, the prohibition seemed entire. I distinctly remarked these precepts: "Thou shalt not kill,- thou shalt not commit adultery." I was much surprized to find that one, which I supposed should have run in the same negative language, was thus expressed: "Thou shalt, — or mayest, -covet; for it did not distinctly appear which of these terins was meant. But the negative was entirely erased. "Other parts of the walls I saw covered with tablets, or rolls of parch ment, containing similar inscriptions, but far more distinct. These had been Al hung up after some of the original inscriptions had become illegible. though the laws contained in these tablets were not erased, they were mach disfigured by interlineations, coniaiping certain comments, which, in later times, had been presumptuously inserted under pretence of explaining the text, although many of these were directly contrary to its meaning. They were also in general covered with dust and cobwebs ; and even when I wiped these away from some parts, so faint was the light which entered the apart ment, that I could not read without frequently hesitating as to the sense." Although the allegory is well sap REVIEW OF RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS. ported to its close, yet we observed, An Essay on the Character, Immoral On the baneful effects of the stage, A year or two ago, some worthy ministers in the metropolis, urged by a particular occasion, produced pamphlets written with judgment and with zeal against the stage. But the subject is one on which the people of England have need of" line upon line, and precept upon precept." The wide spread of playhouses, almost to the villages of our native land, is exceedingly to be deplored; and it proves a fruitful source of dissipation and vice, down to the very beggar on the dunghill. The present publication, therefore, is by no means either superfluous or unseasonable. Besides, these gentlemen consider the subject chiefly on reference to persons who make a profession of religion; Mr. Styles proceeds on more general principles, and addresses all. His general plan is as follows: A 563 the writers for the stage, on the actors, clusion. -con The book appears to be the work of Scarcely any piece which we have The Pilgrim's Progress, by J. Bunyan : day Schools in particular, we recom mend this book, as one of the most suitable, next to the inspired volume. LITERARY NOTICES. MR. Davies, of Lymington, is about to publish by subscription, a Selection of Dr. Grosvenor's Sermons, in one volume, with a Preface, by Mr. Bogue. A second volume of "Oriental Customs," by Mr Burder, of St. Albans, will be published immediately; and in a few weeks, a new edition of the first volume. A few copies on royal paper. 4 C 2 RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. SOUTH AFRICAN MISSION. THE Directors have lately received a letter from Mr. Wm. Anderson, dated Cape of Good Hope, August 1, 1806; the contents of which are very pleasing. It appears that, on the 23d of September, 1805, Mr. Kramer arrived at Klaar Water, the place of Mr. Anderson's residence, with a letter, signifying that the late Governor (Jansens) desired to see him. He therefore set out April 29th, and arrived at Rodesand, June 29th; and after about a week there, he proceeded to Cape Town, from whence he dispatched a letter, briefly stating the circumstances of his station; but referring for particulars to his Journal, which the Directors have also received: the most interesting parts of which will probably appear in the next Number (xv11) of the Missionary Transactions. "Our Missionary station," says Mr. Anderson, "was, when I left it, in a very flourishing state. Our numbers are 784, men, women, and children: eighty can read. There is still a great desire to hear the word of life: numbers are brought to a saving knowledge of divine things. While Brother Kramer was at the Cape, between October 1804 and September 1805, I began to form our people into a state of order, and to introduce the arts of agriculture; in which I was graciously supported by a covenant God, in the midst of very discouraging circumstances, and succeeded to a degree beyond all expectation; so that I may say, I have obtained the object of my mission; for, believe me, I do not write as one who has viewed his work but a single day. O no! I have laboured now for six years, various difficulties endured, seen many changes, have often been ready to say, "All things are against me:" but God hath supported me; and I am now enabled to say, looking back on all the way which he hath been pleased to lead me, "All things work together for good." BUENOS AYRES. The Directors of the Missionary Society, desirous of embracing the opportunity which the providence of God has recently afforded, of sending the gospel to South America, in consequence of the capture of Buenos Ayres by the British forces, have dispatched to that settlement the Rev. David Hill Creighton, one of the students under the care of the Rev. Mr. Bogue. He was ordained at the Rev. Mr. Griffin's Chapel, at Portsea, on Friday, October 3; and sailed from Portsmouth, in the ship Spring Grove, a few days after. The vast population of Buenos Ayres, amounting, it is said, to 70,000 souls, appears to present a noble field for Missionary labours; and while our British merchants, with a spirit of enterprize peculiar to themselves, seize the first opportunity of exporting our manufactures to that distant coast, it seems incumbent on those who know and prize the gospel of Christ, to convey as soon as possible to their fellow-men that inestimable treasure. |