gaged in the office of the ministry? He has expressed himself on this subject in terms of great humility; and has given a description of his character and state of mind, which we are anxious to exhibit by way of warning to candidates for or ders.

"The Force of Truth sufficiently explains the state of my heart and my conduct, as it must have appeared in the sight of God, in this most solemn concern of my ordination; and it suffices here to say, that, considered in all respects, I deliberately judge this whole transaction to have been the most atrocious wickedness of my life. But I did not, at the time, in any degree regard it in this light; nor did I, till long after, feel any remorse of conscience for my prevaricating, if not directly lying, sub. scriptions and declarations, and all the evil of my motives and actions, in the whole concern."" 38. p.

"At this period,' he says, referring to the time when he lived with his father, subsequently to his apprenticeship, though I was the slave of sin, yet, my conscience not being pacified, and my principles not greatly corrupted, there seemed some hope concerning me: but at length Satan took a very effectual method of silencing my convictions, that I might sleep securely in my sins: and justly was I given over to a strong delusion to believe a lie, when I held the truth that I did know in unrighteousness. I met with a Socinian comment on the scriptures, and greedily drank the poison, because it quieted my fears, and flattered my abominable pride. The whole system coincided exactly with my inclinations, and the state of my mind. In reading this exposition, sin seemed to lose its native ugliness, and to appear a very small and tolerable evil; man's imperfect obedience seemed to shine with an excellency almost divine; and God appeared so entirely and necessarily merciful, that he could not make any of his creatures miserable, without contradicting his natural propensity. These things influenced my mind so powerfully, that I was enabled to consider myself, notwithstanding a few little blemishes, as upon the whole a very worthy being,' pp. 39, 40.

"After proceeding to state the fact of his explaining away, according to these Socinian models, the mysteries of the gospel, and soothing his conscience with the wretch

ed opiates which that system affords, he adds,

"In this awful state of mind I attempt

ed to obtain admission into holy orders!— As far as I understood such controversies, I was nearly a Socinian and Pelagian, and wholly an Arminian. While I was preparing for the solemn office, I lived, as before, in known sin, and in utter neglect of prayer; my whole preparation consisting of nothing else than an attention to those studies, which were more immediately requisite for reputably passing through the previous examination.

"Thus with a heart full of pride and wickedness; my life polluted with many unrepented, unforsaken sins; without one cry for mercy, one prayer for direction or assistance, or for a blessing upon what I was about to do; after having concealed my real sentiments under the mask of general expressions; after having subscribed articles directly contrary to what

believed; and after having blasphemously declared, in the presence of God and of the congregation, in the most solemn manner, sealing it with the Lord's supper, that I judged myself to be inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take that office upon me,'-not knowing or believing that there was any Holy Ghost, -on September the 20th, 1772, I was ordained a deacon.

"For ever blessed be the God of all

long suffering and mercy, who had patience with such a rebel and blasphemer; such an irreverent trifler with his majes ty; and such a presumptuous intruder into his sacred ministry." pp. 40, 41. (To be Continued.)

Religious Intelligence.

FOREIGN.

Bible Society of Paris. We have in our hands a copy of the account of the general meeting of the Protestant Bible Society of Paris, on their third anniversary, the 16th of last April. It is a most interesting publication. It contains the constitution of the Society: The names and rank of the officers: The proceedings which took place: The address of the president: The report of the transactions of the committee charged with the management of the concerns of the Society: The addresses which were delivered, and the report of the treasurer. It is followed by a long appendix, containing the correspondence of the committee of the Society, abroad. The whole pamphlet, or rather volume, contains 330 octavo pages,

with other societies, both at home and

The meeting was opened and concluded with prayer. We intended to give a transation of these prayers, but our limits forbid us. We cannot, however, easily repress our inclination to insert their short but honourable tribute of respect to the memory of the late venerable president of our national Bible Society.-"The American Society (they say) has had to regret the loss of its president, Doctor Boudinot, who contributed to the success of the Bible cause not less by his zeal and piety than by an unlimited generosity.* M. Boudinot was the descendant of a pious family, which left France after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, and went to seek for liberty of conscience beyond the Atlantick: this is for us an additional motive to share, with all our heart, in the regrets of our brethren of the United

States."

We can only add the following summary statement, taken from a daily newspaper of this city, of some of the leading facts which are made known in this inter esting document.

"The French Protestant Bible Society, has twenty-three auxiliaries in as many different departments, to which are attached twenty-two branch societies. The first general meeting of the Society was held at Paris, Nov. 4th, 1818; the second, Dec. 10th, 1820; and the third, April 16th, 1822. The Marquis de Jaucourt, Peer of France, and Minister of State, is President; the Count Boissy d'Anglais, Peer of France, &c. and the Baron Cuvier (the naturalist) Counsellor of State, &c. are Vice Presidents; the Baron de Stael Holstein (son of Madame de Stael) is one of the Secretaries. In Paris, there are about 500 annual subscribers, among whom are the Duc de Broglie, Duchesse de Broglie, (daughter of the late Madame de Stael,) Baron de Lessert, Duchesse de Dino, Countesse de Rochefoucaulde, Countesse Rapp, Messrs. Albert Gallatin, J. Armstrong, W. Bayard, David Sears, and S. V. S. Vilder.

"The expenses of the Society from Dec. 10th, 1820, to April 16th, 1822, amounted to 92,260 francs; and the receipts in the same time from subscriptions and the sale of Bibles, were 102,819 francs. During the same interval the Society issued gra tuitously and otherwise, 6,918 Bibles, and 4,433 New Testaments."

British and Foreign Seaman's Friend Society and Bethel Union.-The Third Anniversary of the above Society was held on Wednesday, Oct. 2d, at the City of London Tavern, the Right Hon. Admiral

"M. Boudinot gave at one time to the Bible Society of the United States 10,000 dollars, 50,000 francs."

Lord Gambier in the chair. After his lordship had briefly addressed the Meeting, a retrospect was read of the proceedings of the committee for the past year, in London, and the formation of similar Societies in about forty sea-ports in England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Also the formation of Mariner's Church at New York, and Bethel Societies in the United States, New Brunswick, Bermuda, Berbice, Cronstadt; and even at Rio Janeiro, it is added, the Bethel flag has been raised by a pious merchant on board of some ship every Sabbath day, when he reads sermons, gives exhortations, and holds prayer-meetings. On the Mediterranean, and in various other places abroad, the like exertions are making for the spiritual benefit of sailors; and the committee joy fully anticipate the day when "the dominion of our glorious and exalted Immanuel shall be from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth." After this report, the Meeting was addressed by several clergymen and Dissenting ministers, naval officers and others. A series of resolutions were passed, gratefully acknowledging the divine blessing on their exertions; also appointing officers and a new committee."

Society for Rivermen.-Sept. 18, a Preliminary Meeting was held at the British School-room in Horsleydown, to form a Society for Rivermen in general.—Various exertions had been previously made to excite the attention of persons who reside on the banks of the Thames to this object, and the efforts of the British and Foreign Seaman's Friend Society and Be. thel Union, had for several months been of the most unwearied description at Horsleydown; but the increasing and extensive business of that noble Institution requiring such undivided attention, and the demands on its funds becoming very considerable, it was deemed advisable that a distinct Institution should be formed for Rivermen only; and persons invited to assist it whose profession and habits render. ed them best adapted for promoting religion and morality among this interesting class of men.

The Rev. G. C. Smith having been called to the chair, addressed the Meeting at considerable length, stating the objects of the new Society, and combating the various objections he had heard against it. He dwelt with great force on the folly of the idea that the heart of any man was impenetrable to the power and grace of God; or that there was any class of men breathing, among whom a minister of the gospel might not confidently expect the divine blessing on the use of suitable means.

The chairman had scarcely resumed his seat, when a person in his plain working dress stood up, and most unexpectedly addressed him, saying, 'Sir, after what you have said, I think if I were to sit still the very boards beneath my feet would cry out. If any man is a monument of mercy, I am. If God has displayed what he can do with the worst of sinners it is with me. I lived for ten years the most abandoned and desperate infidel in London: I admired revolutions, advocated deism, and rejected every thing that was good. One Sunday afternoon, about three years since, you preached on Kennington Common to an immense multitude, my wife persuaded me to go; I was struck with astonishment at your arguments against infidelity, but I was not convinced. I was anxious to bring you over to our sentiments, and pressed forward to place in your hand the Spencean Books of division of land and property. I afterwards heard you occasionally at other places, in the open air. When you preached on Bankside to Watermen, I was there, and was so powerfully impressed, that you may remember a man crying out when you had done-Sir, I am a deist, but almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian! From that time I began to seek salvation. A person, who is a Methodist, afterwards called upon me for my children to attend a Sunday School. He reasoned with me, and I brought him my infidel and deistical books; such as Paine's Age of Reason, and Carlile's works; I said to him, cast them all into the fire; he said No; they are your books, I must leave you to do as you please with them.' I then seized them all, threw them into the fire, and he continued with the bellows in his hands blowing the fire for an hour, until the whole were entirely consumed. I now rejoice, Sir, and thus publickly declare what God has done for my soul. No man need despair; I was the chief of sinners, but Christ has saved me, and surely he can save Watermen and Lightermen. My wife now serves the Lord, my children attend a Sunday School, and I am resolved, by Divine grace, that I and my house will serve God the remainder of our days. I will do all I can for the cause of Jesus Christ, and if it is in my power by any means to help this blessed design, I will do it with all my heart and soul, for the sake of Him who died for me on Mount Calvary. He sat down much affected. The Chairman arose, and said he well recollected the circumstance to which allusion had been made, though he never knew the person before this evening. The effect produced on the audience may easily be imagined.

INDIA.

GOVERNMENT ORDER RESPECTING SUTTEES.

Presidency of Fort Williams, Feb. 1822.

The commander of the forces desires that a copy of these instructions be circulated from the brigade office, to the posts and stations dependent upon your command.

(Signed) G. H. FAGAN, Adj. Gen. "Whereas it has appeared, that during the ceremony denominated Suttee, (at which Hindoo women burn themselves,) certain acts have been occasionally committed, in direct opposition to the rules laid down in the religious institutes of the Hindoos, by which that practice is authorized and forbidden in particular cases: as, for instance, at several places pregnant women, and girls not yet arrived at their full age, have been burnt alive; and people after having intoxicated women, by administering intoxicating substances, have burnt them without their assent whilst insensible; and inasmuch as this conduct is contrary to the Shasters, and perfectly in consistent with every principle of huma nity, (it appearing from the expositions of the Hindoo law delivered by pundits, that the burning a woman pregnant, or one having a child of tender years, or a girl not yet arrived at full age, is expressly forbidden in the Shasters, and also that the intoxicating a woman for the purpose of burning her, and the burning one without her assent, or against her will, is highly illegal, and contrary to established usage,) the Police Darogahs are hereby accord ingly, under the sanction of government, strictly enjoined to use the utmost care, and make every effort to prevent the forbidden practices abovementioned, from taking place within the limits of their thannahs; and they are further required, on all occasions, immediately on receiving intelligence that this ceremony is likely to occur, either themselves to proceed to the spot, or send their Mohirrir or Jemedar, accompanied by a Burkundaz of the Hindoo religion, to learn of the woman who is to be burnt whether she has given her assent, and ascertain the other particulars abovementioned relative to her age, &c. &c. &c. In the event of the female who is going to be burnt being less than sixteen years of age, or there being signs of her pregnancy, or on her declaring herself in that situation, or should the people be preparing to burn her after having intoxicated her, without her consent or against her will, (the burning a woman under any of these circumstances being in direct opposition to what is enjoined in the Shasters, and manifestly an act of illegal violence,) it will be then their duty

to prevent the ceremony, thus forbidden and contrary to established usage, from taking place, and require those prepared to perform it to refrain from so doing; also to explain to them that, in the event of their persisting to commit an act forbid den, they would involve themselves in a crime, and become subject to retribution and punishment; but in the case of the woman being of full age, and no other impediment existing, they will nevertheless remain on the spot, and not allow the most minute particular to escape observation; and in the case of people preparing to burn a woman by compulsion, or after having made her insensible by administering spirituous liquors, or narcotic drugs, it will be then their duty to exert themselves in restraining them; and at the same time to let them know, that it is not the intention of the government to check or forbid any act authorized by the tenets of the religion of the inhabitants of their dominions, or even to require any express leave or permission being required previously to the performance of the act of Suttee; and the police officers are not to interfere and prevent any such act from taking place. And, lastly, it will be their duty to transmit immediately, for the information of the magistrates, a full detail of any measures which they may have adopted on this subject, and also on every occasion, when within the limits of their thannahs, this ceremony of "Suttee" may take place, the same being lawfully conducted, they will insert it in the monthly reports.

(Signed)

G. H. FAGAN, Adj. Gen."

SIAM, COCHIN-CHINA, AND JAPAN.

The directors having taken into consideration the deplorable state of the vast population of Siam, Cochin-China, and Japan, now sunk into the most debasing idolatry, and without the knowledge of the Saviour, resolved, at a late meeting, that, by the help of a gracious Providence, they will attempt, as soon as they shall find it practicable, to procure complete versions of the Holy Scriptures into each of the languages of those countries.

By a letter just received from Mr. Beighton, at Penang, dated April 17, we learn that Dr. Milne, who had previously visited Sincapore, arrived at Penang on the 11th, having taken a voyage to those places for the recovery of his health, he having been seriously indisposed.

We are also informed that Dr. Morrison, having obtained leave of absence from the Factory at Canton, may be expected in England next spring.

A rich Hindoo lately died at Benares, who had been a great patron of the Brahmins and Ascetics, and had devoted large sums of money to building temples, colleges for the poor, &c. &c. Twenty days before his death, which took place on the 7th of November, 1821, he presented the following address to the inhabitants of Benares:

"I have lived in this world a long time, (about 80 years,) without being able to acquire any knowledge of the Supreme Being; and I have all the while met abundant reasons to convince me, to the very bottom of my heart, that an uninterrupted happiness can never be formed in this world. But as my soul seems shortly about to quit the body, I beg your forgiveness of my faults, and bid you my last farewell."

Who would not wish that to such a man the gospel of God our Saviour had been made known! Probably there are many such men in India.

It has been asserted, in several of the public prints, that such has been the inHuence of a free press in India, (we should rather think of the missionaries and evangelical clergymen in that country, &c.) that at the last festival of the great idol Juggernaut, there were so few pilgrims present, that they were unable to drag the ponderous car; and that the Brahmins talk of removing the raree-show to a more retired part of the country, less enlightened.

We sincerely wish that this may be true; but we cannot hear of any accounts of the fact transmitted by the missionaries.

marriage at Bombay you have doubtless heard, has been again deprived of his dear partner. On their return home, when within three days of Bellary, Mrs. Hands was taken ill of a fever, and on the day and hour when we were attending the funeral of Mrs. Collie, she died!! Alas! what an uncertain world is this! O for grace to work whilst it is called to-day, and to be found ready whenever our Lord may call.

SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. D. Tyerman to a Lady in England, duted 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 murdered 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 17, another 20! 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. O 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
VOL. I.-Ch. Adv.

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 sunrise. 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 publick wor ship and preaching, when their places are crowded. The congregations make a very decent appearance; all is solemn and becoming. They have congrega tional 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.

The missionaries have already translated and printed the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John, which are in the hands of the people, and nothing can induce them to part with them. The word of God is indeed precious here. The scriptures are the companions of the people wherever they go. Not a family (I am told) is known that has not family worship, morning and evening, every day. At every missionary station there is a church formed; and though it is only between two and three years ago that they were organized, many real Christians have united to enjoy the benefits of the Lord's Supper, and many more at every station are waiting with eager desire to obtain admission. At one of these are 20 merabers, at another 62, at another 74, at a fourth 102.

No publick immorality or indecency is seen. All drunkenness and profane swearing are unknown here. All their former sports and amusements are completely put down. Their morais are almost all demolished, and many of them completely obliterated; and it is a singular fact, that chapels now occupy the very ground on which many of them stood. Never before did the gospel obtain so complete and so universal a triumph in any country over heathenism, cruelty, superstition and ignorance. Think not that I wish to represent these people as per

F