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he was engaged when on the island of Ceylon. Mr. Winslow remarks that the spirit manifested by bishop Turner, and his whole conduct while at Jaffna corresponded well with the character given of a bishop by Paul, in his Epistle to Timothy. Bishop Middleton, the first who was raised to the episcopal dignity in India, died on the 8th of July, 1822. Bishop Turner is the fourth bishop of that diocese who has died within nine years. "Mr. Poor proceeds

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April 17. Sabbath. At half past six o'clock, attended church at Jaffnapatam where one hundred and five persons, of different classes, were confirmed by the bishop. At eleven o'clock attended church again. The bishop preached from the text, And Jacob vowed a vow unto the Lord.' In the afternoon I preached in Tamul, at Nellore, from Better that thou shouldst not vow than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.' Several natives who were admitted to the rite of confirmation in the morning were present.

"18. Returned to Batticotta in the evening. Since the bishop's arrival in Jaffna, I have at different times had favourable opportunities of learning some of the results of his extensive observation on missionary and other kindred subjects. In view ofall that I have heard, I am much strengthened in the belief of some important principles of a practical nature, which I had adopted as the result of my own experience and observation, during my residence among the heathen; particularly, that no substantial and permanent advantages can reasonably be anticipated from the diffusion of general knowledge among the Hindoos, excepting so far as it is accompanied with a knowledge of Christianity, the only system which the only wise God has seen fit to reveal for man's guidance; that consequently, school-book societies, proceeding on the principle of furnishing books on science and general knowledge, to the exclusion of those of a religious na ture, are performing a hazardous experiment: for though there are Bible and tract Societies in the country, it by no means follows, either in theory or practice, that those natives who receive supplies of books on science from the book societies will receive books on moral and religious subjects from other quarters; that when the natives become sufficiently enlightened by science and general knowledge to discover the absurdities of the prevailing system, they must almost of necessity be driven to atheism or to the worst species of deism, unless the requisite means are put into their hands for becoming acquainted with the true God and Jesus Christ his Son, whom to know aright is life eternal; consequently, that native free-schools, taught by heathen school-masters, which, in consequence of their distance from mis

sionary stations, or for any other reason, do not admit of a vigilant superintendence and direct Christian influence, promise little or nothing in favour of the progress of divine truth; that that delicacy of feeling against interference, which prevents the introduction of the Scriptures and other religious books into native schools, arises from a very questionable source; and that the alleged difficulty and danger of a gradual and prudent introduction of these books are to a great extent imaginary. In view of this subject we have reason to be well satisfied with what we consider to be the leading feature in our projected college, and which is expressed in the following extract from the prospectus.

"It is the moral influence which the projectors of the present seminary wish to keep primarily and most distinctly in view. Should it even appear singular, they are not ashamed of the singularity of attempting to found a college, not so much literary as religious; and indeed literary no farther than learning can be made auxiliary to religion. In a word, their design is to teach the knowledge of God; and developing all the important relations of the creature to the Creator for time and eternity.

NOTICES OF OODOOVILLE.

"Seriousness among the People.-After mentioning that a number of the schoolmas-> ters, were anxious respecting their salvation; and that six individuals, including two girls of the school, were candidates for admission to the church, and that of ten or twelve others he was indulging hopes, while the sericusness of others was wearing off, Mr. Winslow, under date of April 1, 1831, proceeds

"Every degree of excitement produced by the proper use of the means of grace, and through the influence of the Spirit of truth, is attended with hope; as those once awakened (at least among this people) generally become more susceptible of subsequent impressions, and often, after several seasons of awakening, followed by relapses, are at length hopefully converted. A number of cases which have occurred of this character encourage us in regard to those who were awakened, but appear now to be again falling asleep; and excite the hope that many of them, especially many of the children in the schools, may be truly converted at some future period; and that the late excitement may, in their case, be a preparation for a more thorough work. In this view, as well as in looking at those who already give some evidence of piety, the recent display of divine grace calls for our warmest thanks giving,

"Schools.-The female boarding-school had received two girls from families more respectable than those from which they

were usually obtained. The native freeschools were prosperous, containing 650 boys and 140 girls. Number of schools connected with the station was 20.

Preachers Licensed. Of the young men who have attended the theological class, Nathaniel Niles and Charles A. Goodrich, received license and public designation as preachers of the gospel and candidates for ordination on the 20th January, at our quarterly communion Timothy Dwight was also examined and approved in respect to his qualifications, but some family reasons and the state of his health prevented his receiving license. The young men who received license also received a public charge, in the presence of the church and congregation. In the afternoon of the same day they both, for the first time, went into the pulpit, and after Goodrich had read and expounded a portion of scripture and prayed, Niles preached an impressive sermon, in which he enforced the duty of the native church to raise up and send forth native preachers.

NOTICES OF PANDITERIPO.

Dr. Scudder, under date of April 1, remarks that he did not know that any new cases of conversion had occurred during the quarter. Most of those who had been awakened still attended the inquiry meeting. Two were candidates for the church. "Truth appeared to be making an impres sion on the minds of many. All the children connected with the native free schools were formed into a Sabbath school, and the larger children and those who appear to be thoughtful are assembled for conversation every Sabbath and sometimes on Tuesday. The members of this class do good among their friends, by praying, reading, and conversation.

Dr. Scudder's labours among the Catholics were much as heretofore. Some new tracts had been printed and distributed. Great opposition was manifested and many of the Catholics had petitioned the governor to put a stop to these efforts to overthrow their religion.

The number of native free-schools was 14, containing 420 scholars; of whom 338 were boys, and 82 girls.

NOTICES OF TILLIPALLY.

Mr. Spaulding, under date of March 31, states that he had recently made a tour in company with five native helpers, to the pearl fishery, taking with him a few portions of scripture and 6,000 tracts, all of which they distributed, after reading and explaining them to the people. The candour manifested by the Catholics and heathen from the adjacent continent led him to suppose that a tour to that neglected field would do much towards preparing the way of the Lord. Many Protestants there have joined the Catholics, because

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In this list there are names of some boys who were in the school before, and in one or two cases the names of boys who formerly came as day scholars. The reason is, where we had evidence that the payments were continued, and where the boy formerly taken almost immediately left the school we considered the benefac tors entitled to another appropriation.

Church.-There has been one addition to the church during the quarter, and as the case is somewhat uncommon and encouraging, I will give the particulars.

Death of a Female Member.-The sister of the schoolmaster who died 27th of June, 1830, as mentioned in the quarterly account at that time, first came to the station, supporting her brother by one arm, but a short time before his death, I was pleased with her attention to him as it seemed more than is common among this people. Before he died, he exhorted her to leave idols and believe on Jesus Christ; and as his last dying charge, he told her to keep the Sabbath, to go to church, and to attend the weekly meet

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ings for women on Friday. With this she strictly complied; and though often very infirm and unable to walk far, she was seldom absent. She was uniformly attentive, and from week to week gave evidence that she gradually understood and profited by what she heard. About three months ago she became worse, so as to be unable to come to the station. As her body and strength wasted away, her mind became more clear and her faith and hope more strong. She often expressed a wish to join the church. About the middle of February, she sent to me, say ing, "I shall not live: I shall soon die : I wish you to baptize me, and give me the sacrament before I die." Her uniform feelings at that time may be learned from a single expression. When asked if she loved Christ, she replied, "Yes. He is my trust, my only trust;" and reaching out her withered hands, she added, "I have laid hold of him: I will not let him go." When asked if she did not sometimes think of the idols, and feel inclined to trust to heathen gods, she said, "No, don't want, don't want," shaking her hands and head in disgust. On February 22d she was baptized and admitted to the ordinance of the Lord's supper. As she was unable to come to the church, or even to rise from her mat, we went to her house.

Some mats were spread under a tree, and on them were seated a few of the neighbours, most of the boys in the preparatory school, and some of the church members. The old woman was then brought out by two females, one her daughter, and the other a member of the church, and supported in a sitting posture while we asked her of the hope which she had, and administered to her the ordinances. To all our questions she gave such attention and answers as showed that her heart was most deeply engaged and interested in what she was doing. She gradually wasted away until she was little more than an animated skeleton, but her mind was filled with the hope and anticipated joy of seeing her Saviour and of being like him. The last time I called on her before she died, her mind seemed to be in a very happy state. Before I left, she took hold of her daughter's hand and put it into mine, wishing me to teach her the way to heaven. On inquiry she said she bought rice and milk to the amount of three pence, for which she was indebted, and that she had nothing to pay. I found that all her expenses for different articles of food amounted to one penny a day. She died on the 1st of April, and was interred in the burying ground belonging to the church.

View of Publick Affairs.

EUROPE.

Advices have been received from Britain (Liverpool) to the first of March; and from France (Havre) two days less recent. The state of Europe is the same, in all material respects, as we exhibited it in our last number; and from no part of the world have we heard news of much importance in the past month. Our view of publick affairs therefore will be very summary.,

In Britain two objects-the Cholera and the Reform Bill-engross the publick attention. The Cholera is in London and in Edinburgh; but in neither of those cities are the cases numerous; and in both, at the date of the last accounts, the disease seemed 1 to be losing, rather than gaining ground. The physicians and publick journalists seem how to regard this epidemick as not terrifick; and as altogether unworthy of being regarded as so alarming, as it was at first considered.-The Reform Bill was still before the House of Commons, and its enemies were gaining strength in their opposition to it. In the House of Lords it was understood that it would be opposed with the same armness, and with nearly as much force, as on a former occasion, when it was thrown out. The measure also of creating new peers, was less likely than some time since, to be adopted in the last resort. Indeed many believed, that the present ministry must resign. The issue is yet doubtful; but it seems to us that either reform, or something more serious to the aristocracy, and perhaps to the monarch too, must ere long take place. The controversy is not yet settled between Holland and Belgium. Holland steadfastly refuses to submit to the award of the London conference of the Great Powers; and it is said that Russia countenances her refusal. Troops are raised in both the contending States, and war is apparently threatened; but we suspect, and hope, it will all end in fumo.

In France we have noticed no new occurrence of importance, except that it is confidently stated that France has united with Britain, in declaring to the king of Spain that he shall not interfere in the concerns of Portugal-that he shall not favour Don Miguel in the expected conflict between him and Don Pedro, for the crown of that kingdom. If this be so, the beloved Ferdinand will be at some loss how to shape his Course; and yet it is affirmed, that he is determined, at all risks, to support the cause of his friend and fellow tyrant. One division of Don Pedro's expedition had sailed from Belle Isle for Terceira, and another division, coming from France, had reached

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View of Publick Affairs.

the former Island. A serious invasion of Portugal will probably be soon attempted. It appears that several British ships of the line are now in the port of Lisbon; and the last accounts state, that a considerable fleet is under sailing orders from a British port, to join the force already before the Portuguese capital, with a view to attack it, if Spain should take part in the expected contest.

Greece, appears, is in a state only less calamitous than when it was invaded by the Turks. The party of the late chief Čapo d'Istrias, have pushed their measures till the patriots, as they are called, have arrayed themselves in arms, to oppose the partizans of the late authorities. A civil war is threatened, if it has not commenced. In the mean time, it is stated, that the Great Powers, without consulting either party, have appointed a Regent for Greece, who is yet a minor, and whose guardians are to exercise the powers of government in that unhappy country, till the minor is of age.

We hear nothing further in regard to the war between the Turkish Sultan and the Pacha of Egypt.

From ASIA we have nothing to report.

AFRICA is becoming a very interesting portion of our globe. It would seem as if this large and long benighted part of the earth, was likely before many years to exhibit a change, greatly for the better. The piratical powers on the coast of the Mediterranean are broken down and rendered inefficient by the conquest of Algiers. On the eastern part of the continent, the Pacha of Egypt is making changes for the better, though far short of what could be wished. On the south, the British colony is pushing But it is on far into the interior; and the blessed missionaries are extending their operations even far beyond the frontier of the colony, and with an encouraging success. the western coast that the brightest prospect appears. Liberia and Sierra Leone, under the patronage of the United States and Britain, are destined, we verily believe, to put an end, eventually, to the horrible traffick in the bodies and souls of men. The last arrivals from Liberia, bring the most cheering accounts of the prosperity of the AfricoAmerican colony there. Health is enjoyed and enterprise is active, and the adjacent native tribes are courting the favour and friendship of the colony. Schools and churches are established, and nothing now seems to hinder the rapid extension of the colony, both along the coast and into the interior, but the want of a more efficient patronage from our country; and this we think cannot much longer be withheld.

AMERICA.

On the western coast of the southern part of our continent, the infant republicks existing there, are in a fluctuating state; yet, at present, not at war; and on the whole, we would hope, making some progress toward order and happiness. On the opposite coast, Buenos Ayres was, at the last accounts, rejoicing at the conclusion of the civil war, which has long existed, with less or greater activity, in the United Provinces. The Brazils, the deserted empire of Don Pedro, are still in a state of great agitation. Colombia, it is hoped, is likely to be tranquillized-only temporarily we fear. Mexico is embroiled in a civil war-but not as yet sanguinary. Central America is suffering more than any of her sister republicks, by the inveterate and mortal hatred to each other of the factions by which the country is continually distracted. The parties are, or have been, so nearly equal in power, that war has been incessant for years past; and when it is likely to terminate no one can tell.

In the United States we enjoy peace and outward prosperity; and if we are not a happy people, it must be our own fault. The breaking up of the last unusually severe winter, has produced inundations on several of our large rivers, especially in our western country, destructive of much property and some lives-and the number of deaths during the last four or five months-occasioned by influenza, scarlet fever, meazles and their consequences-is larger than we recollect at the same season of the year, on any former occasion. Our Congress is busily employed; and yet making but little progress, as seems to us, in bringing the important concerns of the session to a state of maturity. All the great measures-the tariff, the bank, the representation bill, &c.— are still under consideration. It appears that the state of Georgia is, at present, determined not to subunit to the award of the Supreme Court, in the case of the missionaries. But we hope that on reflection, the folly, the infatuation, the incalculable evils, of resisting the general government, and thus destroying the Federal Union, will become so evident, that actual resistance will not be made. If it shall, all will suffer; but do not our southern brethren see that they have more at stake, and will be in more immediate and imminent peril than we of the north? May the same kind Providence which has hitherto saved our country in many a fearful crisis, still watch over us for good; and bring to a happy termination the present unpropitious controversy.

ERRATA in our last Number.
Page 89, 2d col. line 18 from bot. for is read are.
115, 2d col. line 15, for publication read periodical.
116, 1st col. line 24, from bot. dele the word only.
136, line 18 from bot. for Saviour read Sovereign.

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

L

MAY, 1832.

Heligious Communications.

LECTURES ON THE SHORTER CATE- Spirit." Neither the reading nor

CHISM OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES-ADDRESSED

TO YOUTH.

LECTURE LXVII.

The instrumentality of the word of God in the conversion and subsequent edification of sinners, is to be the subject of discussion in the present lecture, on the following answer of our catechism, viz.The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation."

The gospel of Jesus Christ, under which it is our high and pecuhar privilege to live, is a dispensation of the Spirit-It is so in a more eminent degree, by far, than the preceding patriarchal and Mosaick dispensations. Our catechism, as we have heretofore seen, teaches us, that "We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit." The application of the finished work of the Redeemer to his elect people, both before and after their conversion, belongs officially to God the Holy Ghost They are "born of the Spirit," and all their graces are graces of the Ch. Adv.-VOL. X.

66

the preaching of the word, would ever become effectual to the salvation of a single soul, if they were not made so by the powerful influence of the blessed Spirit. This is a truth never to be overlooked or forgotten. The word of God is called the "sword of the Spirit;" and as a sword can effect nothing without a hand to wield it, so the word of God itself remains wholly inoperative, in the matter of our salvation, till it is taken into the hand of the Spirit, and applied by his almighty energy, to the purpose for which it has been provided. Yet, on the other hand, it must be kept in mind, that the Holy Spirit does not, ordinarily, work any saving change in the hearts of adult persons, without the word; and hence the unspeakable importance that the word should be carefully read and faithfully preached.

It is scarcely necessary to remark, that by "the word," in the answer before us, we are to understand the whole revealed will of God contained in the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments. No part of this word is superfluous; although, as I have heretofore shown, some portions of it are more practical than others, and on that account ought to be more frequently perused, and more 2 A

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