part of my provisions, dressed or undressed, should touch any of their tabooed things; and assured me that they should die if it did, for their God would kill them. The Chiefs and their wives were also tabooed. They could not touch a potatoe, or any other provisions which they wanted to eat, with their hands; but, if no person were near to serve them, they lay down on the ground and gathered up their food with their mouths. "I asked them if they knew any thing of the God of Kiperro, or had any communication with him. They replied that they often heard him whistle, with a low note. I asked MOODEEAKOW if he, as their Priest, had any communication with their God. He also said that he had heard him whistle, and he sounded the notes which he had heard. I replied that I could not credit what they all said, unless I heard him myself. They all asserted that what they had said was true; and that all the inhabitants in New Zealand knew it to be true. I still doubted, and told the Priest, that unless I heard the Atua myself, I could not believe that either he or any other person ever heard him; and that I wished to accompany him to any place where I could hear the communication between him and the Atun. He said that the Atua was in the bush, and I could not hear him. I replied, that I would accompany him into the bush to him. When he came to be very closely pressed, he said that they had no God at Kiperro. He had heard that there was a God at Shukeangha, but they had none; and he requested me to give him one of my gods, and be would put him in a box that he might have him always with him. I had never seen any idol god, nor had I ever heard before that the New Zealanders had any idea of a material God. In answer to his request, I told him that there was only One True and Living God, who had made the world and all things therein; and that, if I should make him a god, he would be of wood or some other substance, which could easily be burnt or destroyed. They all smiled at the idea of burning a God; and evidently saw the absurdity of a material idol. "Whether Satan is permitted to practise any oral deception in support of his spiritual dominion, (for he is the God of this World,) and in maintenance of those dark superstitions which universally pervade the mind of these poor Heathens, I cannot tell. I have met with no New Zealander, even among the most enlightened of them, who does not firmly believe that their Priests have communication with their God; and many, both of their Priests and others, have told me that they have heard their God. This is a subject of such a mysterious nature, that I cannot make up my mind either to believe or disbelieve what is so universally credited in New Zealand. do not pretend to know how far the agency of Satan may extend in a barbarous and uncivilized nation, where there is no human or divine law to check or restrain men's corrupt passions; but of this I am fully convinced, that, in all regular civil governments, where wholesome laws lay the necessary restraints on men's turbulent passions, the secret agency of Satan,—that spirit which worketh in the children of disobedience,-is greatly restrained, and the force of his wicked instigations weakened and counteracted by those laws." I BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-From the Report of this Society, just published, we have the pleasure to make the following Extracts, relative to its important Missions in India. "CONTINENT OF INDIA.-From the station at Dinagepour the accounts in the past year have been very satisfactory. Considerable additions have been made to the church, now consisting of seventytwo members, and others were expected shortly to join it. The whole number of persons who had renounced cast, was 167. MR. FERNANDEZ thinks that idolatry is visibly declining among the natives at large in that district, and states, in support of his opinion, that many large temples, built by the former Rajahs, are hastening to ruin, and that the pecuniary allowance allotted for their support by the native government, has been materially reduced, and is stil annually decreasing. Thus,' he exclaims in a tone of triumphant anticipation, thus shall idolatry fall before the Gospel, as Dagon fell before the ark of the LORD.' "From the district of Jessore considerable intelligence has been received, through the medium of monthly journals transmitted to Serampore. By these it appears that MR. THOMAS, with his five native assistants, SHRISTEE-dura, RaMA-SOONDURA, DIDHERA, HURI-DASA, and RADHA-KRISHNA, have been constantly engaged in travelling from village to village, and addressing all who were disposed to listen on the great theme of eternal salvation. Four Hindoos have been baptized; and the number of villages, visited by the joyful sound, in the course of two months only, is stated to exceed one hundred and fifty. That, in their daily journeys, these humble itinerants should often have but three or four to converse with, will not appear surprising nor should this labour,' as our Serampore brethren remark, be deemed idle and fruitless. It was probably from house to house, as they could find auditors, that the first promulgators of the Gospel made it known; and if the divine blessing be given on a conversation with even a few, the Gospel will be gradually planted in this part of the country.' : "At Dacca, MR. LEONARD has been visited with a very serious and alarming illness, from which, however, it pleased GOD mercifully to restore him. A late examination of the Bengalee and Persian schools under his superintendance, afforded very gratifying proof of the progress of the pupils; and a degree of interest has been excited in their minds which can scarcely fail to produce highly beneficial effects. "An incident mentioned by MR. LEONARD, will show that a desire for information is not confined to the youth training in the schools. At the celebration of one of the Hindoo idolatrous festivals, when it was computed that nearly two hundred thousand persons were assembled, some members of MR. LEONARD'S family (he being absent at the time) ventured to commence the distribution of tracts, which, it would appear, had not been attempted on such an occasion before. No sooner was this known, than thousands assembled about the gate, filled the garden and the house, and would not depart till each had received a book. The distribution occupied five successive days, on the first of which alone, more than three thousand individuals were supplied. "The communications which have been received from MR. SUTTON, at Moorshedabad, clearly prove that, to use an expression of his own, the work in which he is engaged is the work of his heart.' In one of his journals, he speaks of some Musselmen by whom he had been visited, and whose apparent anxiety for instruction excited his hopes; but, generally speaking, little progress has been made among the natives in the last year. On the other hand, the church at Berhampore, which he regularly supplies without interfering with his constant and laborious Missionary engagements, has continued to flourish, and a new brick chapel has been erected for the better accommodation of the increasing auditory, at the expense of £200, defrayed by subscriptions on the spot. Aware of the importance of itinerating, he has undertaken several journeys to a considerable distance from Moorshedabad ; and while at home, he embraces every opportunity of bearing his testimony for GoD in the streets and markets of that populous city. Large quantities of tracts have been distributed by him ; and about two hundred children are receiving instruction in the schools under his direction. It is pleasing to add, that the native preachers associated with him continue steadfast, and afford him much assistance in their various labours. "We would commence our notice of the station at Serampore, so long and so honourably distinguished in our Missionary annals, by gratefully reporting that MR. WARD and his companions, who left this country just before our last Annual Meeting, arrived in safety at Calcutta in the month of October last. "It was scarcely to be expected, after so full and circumstantial account as we were enabled to give in our last Report, that any new information could be presented respecting the progress of the Translations. A brief notice, however, on this subject, occurs in a letter from DR. CAREY, dated in September last, which must not be overlooked. His words are, 'Several versions of the New Testament have lately been printed off, which had not before been published; and several more are approaching to a conclusion.' By a reference to the last Memoir, it will be seen, that in December, 1820, there were six versions of the New Testament more than half through the press,' in addition to fifteen then completed, and that about ten months more were computed as necessary to finish them. This calculation coincides so nearly with the date of the letter just quoted, as to justify the conclusion, that those six versions are alluded to, and that, consequently, soon after that letter was written they had all been finished at press. It is, at least, reasonable to conclude that, unless some unexpected impediment has occurred, this portion of the vast undertaking has been accomplished ere now; and that twentyone of the dialects of Índia, and those by far the most extensive and important, have been enriched by the publication of the New Testament. "Several additions appear to have been made to the church in the course of the past year. Referring to this subject, ir a letter written soon after his return, MR. WARD observcs, The increase of the native Christians since I left has been great, and a number appear to be added, every month, in one part of India or another. A similar account is given by DR. CAREY, who, in a communication dated about the same time, indulges a spirit of grateful complacency in contrasting the present state of India, with that in which he found it. It is now,' said he, twenty-eight years, within a few days, since I first landed. There was then no sanctification of the Sabbath, and a very thin attendance on the only preacher of the gospel in this Presidency. Infidelity was the general open profession, and it would have been reckoned a gross violation of decorum, to introduce the subject of religion in any company whatever. Now, the whole body of society has assumed a comparatively religious aspect, and not a few in every station are decidedly pious.' "At Calcutta, a variety of events have occurred in the past year; some of a pleasing, others of a very painful nature. The new chapel, for English worship, was opened in March, 1821; the expense, about £3000, had been nearly defrayed by subscriptions on the spot. A new station has also been occupied at Howrah, a very populous suburb of Calcutta, in which reside many Englishmen, and thousands of natives, who were all previously destitute of the means of grace. "MR. THOMPSON, whose most usual residence is the imperial city of Delhi, has been engaged, as in former years, in extensive journeys to the N. and N. E. of that place. In these excursions, he distributed large quantities of the Scriptures, and religious tracts, in various languages; and many little occurrences, recorded in his journals, tend to show that this method of scattering the seed of the kingdom is likely to prove, ultimately, far more beneficial than may at first be imagined. A fact noted in one of his latest communications, deserves attention. I found,' he remarks, that of all who came to hear me, such as were most remote from the British provinces were the readiest and most unreserved in receiving our Scriptures. I know not how it is, but the western nations certainly possess a thirst for knowledge above those in Hindostan.' This circumstance induces him to wish to penetrate still farther into the regions beyond him. 'I think,' says he, the Nepalese are in a favourable state for improvement, and I would gladly endure every hardship, to make a missionary journey, with the Divine Word, into those parts.'"' LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-From the deputation to the South Sea Islands, the scenes of Missionary triumphs so interesting, we give another affecting letter. Extract of a Letter from the REV. D. TYERMAN, to a Lady in England, dated Taheite, Nov. 24, 1821. ALL our brethren, the Missionaries, received us with the most cordial affection, while the natives were not backward in giving us every proof of their joy on our arrival. The power and wisdom of GOD, as displayed in the structure of this wonderful island, can only be exceeded by that stupendous and marvellous change which has taken place among its inhabitants, a change which fills me with incessant astonishment and joy. Had I opportunity and leisure to describe the former moral condition of this people, it would be unnecessary that I should do it to you: suffice it to observe that it was peculiarly the place where Satan's seat was, and if ever that awful being were allowed an incarnation, it was here. The details of this wickedness, given us by the Missionaries since we have been here, are enough to fill us with horror. How many human victims almost daily bled upon their cruel altars! Two-thirds of the infants born were instantly mur dered by the hands of their own mothers. I saw one woman the other day, who had destroyed eight of her own offspring; I have heard of another who killed nine, another seventeen, another twenty!!! The god of thieves, for there was such a god here, was faithfully served, while crimes of other kinds, too horrible to be named, every where defiled this beautiful land. All the worst passions of human nature were indulged in the utmost possible extent. But, where sin abounded, Grace much more abounds! GOD has done great things for this people. The faithful and holy exertions of his servants are most amply rewarded. The prayers of the British churches are indeed heard; and all the expenses which have been incurred are now fully repaid. 0 that you and all whose hearts are engaged in doing good to the heathen, could but witness what I have already seen; it would fill your soul with amazement and gratitude. Where I have been, the Sabbath is universally regarded; not an individual is known, whether among the chiefs or the common people, who does not attend divine worship on the LORD's Day. The engagements of that holy day commence with a prayer-meeting, conducted entirely by the natives themselves, at sun-rise. Knowing the backwardness of Christians in England to attend early prayer-meetings, what do you think my surprise has been on going to these services, to find their large places of worship literally filled. This is the fact at all the situations which I have visited; the whole congregations indeed attend. At nine o'clock in the morning, and at three in the afternoon, there is public worship and preaching, when their places are crowded. The congregations make a very decent appearance; all is solemn and becoming. They have congregational singing, and it is conducted with great propriety. In the intervals of worship, there is catechising of both young and old. The natives dress all their food on Saturdays; not a fire is lighted, not a canoe is seen on the water, not a journey performed, not the least kind of worldly business done on the Sabbath. So far as outward appearances go, this day is here kept indeed holy: by multitudes, I doubt not, it is kept really so. DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE, ANNIVERSARIES.-The following Anniversaries of Missionary Societies have been lately held: viz. Oct. 8. Horncastle Branch; Collection £30.-Oct. 9. Doncaster Branch; the REV. THOMAS WOOD, in the Chair: Collections £45, besides a donation of £50 from MR. SINGLETON. This Circuit has raised, during the year, £240, of which about £90 were collected in the villages.-Oct. 21. Leeds District Auxiliary: W. G. SCARTH, ESQ. (in the absence of B. SADLER, ESQ., the Mayor of Leeds, who was detained at the Quarter Sessions,) in the Chair: Collections £161. The sum raised in the District within the year is £1870, being an increase of £330.-Oct. 28. Spitalfields Branch, London; L. HASLOPE, Esq. in the Chair. The receipts of the year have been £290, an increase of near £80.-Oct. 29, Reading Branch; and Nov. 5, Woolwich Branch: at both these Meetings, the Chair was taken by Joseph BUTTERWORTH, ESQ., M. P.; and at both, the receipts of the year were reported to have exceeded those of the last.-Nov. 13. Salford Juvenile Branch; the REV. DR. CLARKE in the Chair: Collections £74, besides the contents of some Missionary Boxes, and £70 in Bank Post Bills, sent by a Gentleman to DR. CLARKE, to be added to the collection. NEW SOCIETIES FORMED.-Under this head we find reported the establishment of Branch Missionary Societies at Runcorn, Sept. 23d; the REV. JAMES WOOD in the Chair: Collection £25 :-at Cheltenham, Oct. 24, DR. THOMAS in the Chair; Collection £47:-at Windsor, Oct. 28, (where the Mayor kindly granted the use of the Town-Hall,) JOSEPH BUTTERWORTH, Esq., M. P., in the Chair:-at Worksop, Nov. 1st; the REV. THOMAS WOOD in the Chair:-and at Walworth, near London, Nov. 14th; MR. BROWN in the Chair. CONTRIBUTIONS.-The amount of Contributions to the Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society, received by the General Treasurers, since the account published last month, is £1324. 6s. 6d. Among these we distinguish the following items: viz. "Miss Vansittart, (Donation,) £20:-Joseph Butterworth, Esq. M. P., £10. 10s. :-Henley Society in aid of Missions, by the REV. J. N. GOULTY, £5. 5s. :-From the Gibraltar Auxiliary Society, by J. PINE, Esq. £40:-From F. HIGGINS, ESQ. on account of the Nevis Auxiliary Society, £36. 1. DIED, June 22, 1822, aged sixtyseven, MR. WILLIAM RICHARDS, of Southern-Pitts, in the Pembroke Circuit, At the age of fifty, he heard the Methodist Preachers at that place; and he soon became a member of their Society, and found that the Gospel preached by them was the power of GOD unto his salvation. He was enabled to "hold fast his profession;" and was much blessed to the people as a principal conductor of their meetings for social prayer. Some of his dying words were: "I am ready to depart: All is well I am not afraid to die: The will of the LORD be done." PHILIP RAWLINS. : 2. Died, at Alstone, June 23, 1822, aged twenty-four, MRS. HANNAH CHES TER. At an early age, the SPIRIT of THE LORD convinced her of her sinful state, and showed her that she stood in need of pardoning mercy and renewing grace. When she was about fourteen years of age, while she was hearing a sermon preached by MR. JOHN MARTIN, one of our Local Preachers, she was enabled to believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST with her heart unto righteousness, and received a clear sense of GOD's forgiving love. She now became remarkably zealous for the LORD; and was greatly concerned for the souls of her fellow-creatures, especially for those of her friends and relations; for whom she often prayed with a fervour which astonished those who heard her. About twelve months ago, the affliction commenced, which terminated in her removal to " a better country, that is, an heavenly." Her spiritual conflicts, for several months, were great; as she was sometimes tempted by Satan to suspect that she was deceiving herself, in reference to her religious state, and found the thought of parting with her beloved husband and child to be almost more distressing than she could bear. But about a month before her death, she was completely delivered from all these disquietudes; and enabled, by the grace of GoD, to resign herself, and all she loved, into the hands of the LORD with cheerful confidence. I sometimes saw her, and heard many delightful words which dropped from her lips. When I asked the state of her soul, she would answer as follows: "I feel no doubt of my acceptance with GOD. CHRIST is precious to my soul. I desire to depart and be with CHRIST, which is far better. If this earthly house of my tabernacle be dissolved, I have a house of GOD, a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Glory be to GOD!" To her surrounding friends she said on one occasion, “O that all my relations would turn to GOB. I am the youngest, and shall soon leave you; and if I thought that my death would be the means of your conversion, with what pleasure could I die! You will soon follow me; O prepare to meet me in heaven." The day before she died, being very ill, she took an affeetionate leave of all present, and then lifted up her hands, and exclaimed, "O what a mighty change Shall JESU's sufferers know, While o'er the happy plains they range, Just before her death, she said, "I have an interest in CHRIST;" and added, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to GOD, who giveth us the victory, through our LORD JESUS CHRIST." JOHN WALTON, 3. Died, June 28, 1822, aged forty, ROBERT WILLIAM BEMMAN, ESQ., of Marsh Court, Worcestershire.-When but a child, he was the subject of religious impressions. And even when he attained to manhood, and was living, in many respects," according to the course of this world," the fear of GoD was a considerable restraint upon him.The early death of a beloved wife deeply affected his mind with a sense of the uncertainty of all worldly good, and of the importance of the things of eternity. Then the sun of his earthly comfort went down. He lost his desire for vain and unsatisfying amusements; and earnestly wished for the consolations of true religion. In this state of mind he came to the Methodist Chapel, near the place where he lived, and heard a sermon, which was the means of convincing him more deeply of the necessity of seeking that kingdom of GoD, which is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the HOLY GHOST." His heart was. softened; and, with the docility of a child, he sought the mercy of his GOD. One day, while earnestly engaged in private prayer, he received a clear and satisfactory manifestation of the pardosing love of God. Then he enjoyed true consolation; and he joyfully told, to those with whom he was joined in christian fellowship, the great things which GOD had done for his soul. He now began to feel very much for the salvation |
