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on fire. The multitude shouted; but not a groan was heard from the pile. I hope and trust this poor victim expired immediately. She. undoubtedly did without one struggle. Her feet and arms were not confined, and after the straw and faggots were burnt, we saw them in them in the same position she had placed them.

It was a voluntary act. She was resigned, self-collected, and perfectly herself. Such fortitude and magnanimity, such resolution, devoted affection, religious zeal, and mad delusion, combined, I had not conceived of, and I hope never to witness again. Hundreds witnessed this scene. Some admired the heroism of the woman→→→→ some were ready to tear the bramins to pieces; for myself, I was absolutely stupified with pity and horror at this dreadful immolation. I am grieved to say, this is not an uncommon instance.

I believe I have given you all the particulars: put them in a better form, and tell this almost incredible story to some of my friends. There were present about 40 Americans, and a few English. I do not know the number of natives, but may safely say many hundreds.

Yesterday was also one of the feasts of Juggernaut. In returning home, we passed through a street, two miles in length, entirely filled with temples consecrated to that god, drawn by worshipping thousands and myriads, striving for that honour; they were offering gold, fruits, and the most beautiful flowers, to the different idols placed within these temples. The air was perfumed with the most precious odours. The house tops were covered with people, dressed in the most expensive and fantastic manner, and children covered with jewels. Bands of native music preceded and followed each temple, making the most discordant sounds. People who had nothing to give, screamed and prostrated themselves before the innumerable idols that were standing in the streets. The horses were stopped twenty times at least by the crowd, gathering to offer sacrifices to these images. Guards were placed in all directions to keep order.

I can give you no idea of this country-I am awe-struck, but feel no inclination to worship. I thank God, we are not Hindoos; and for all his mercies praise him.

Farewell, my dearly beloved friends.

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EXTRACTS

FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE

SOCIETY, PUBLISHED DECEMBER, 1817.

From Basseterre, St. Christopher, Oct. 16, 1817.

About twelve months ago, when I was on the point of embarking for this country, you kindly furnished me with Bibles and Testaments, to distribute among the poor Negroes, and others, who were destitute of the Holy Scriptures, and had no means of obtaining them. I now take the liberty to present you my sincere thanks for your kindness, and to inform you how I disposed of your invaluable gift. Before Í came to this Island, I was two months in Antigua. During my stay

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there, several pious blacks came from Bermuda, an Island a short distance from Antigua, to request that a few Bibles and Testaments might be given them; for this they begged in a very affecting manner. Mr. Jackson and I gave them two dozen of Testaments. We informed those poor Negroes that we could not prudently give them any more. We advised them to read to such as were unable to read, and then to lend their Testaments to such of their companions as were disposed to read for themselves. This they promised to do; and, on receiving the rich treasure, their joy was inexpressible, as might be seen by the tears which flowed down their sable faces. Soon after my arrival in this place, a mulatto female slave called on me for a Bible, which I gave her. In a short time, several others, both black and coloured, called on me in a similar manner. As I saw the want of the Scriptures which prevailed, I was careful to give to such persons only as were in low circumstances, and appeared truly in earnest. After giving the Bibles and Testaments away in this manner, the few that remained in my possession I gave to a Sunday School in this town, where about two or three hundred poor black and coloured children are gratuitously taught the principles of the Christian Religion.

From Berbice, August 6, 1817.

The Rev. Mr. Davies has requested me to forward this letter to you. He is in great want of Bibles for the poor slaves and others in Demerara. It is pleasing to find that so many of those poor people have learned to read the Scriptures, and that they take so much delight in reading this Holy Book, which is able to make them wise unto salvation, and contented and happy in their present condition. Mr. Davies writes :-" I had no just idea of the number of Negroes that wish for Bibles, till I mentioned to some of them, that I would procure Bibles for those who wish to have them. The next week, applications poured in from every plantation, and every quarter, especially for Bibles with references in the margin. The Negroes say they will get the money ready by the time the Bibles arrive, which I hope will be in four months at furthest."

We are endeavouring to prepare people for the Bible, by teaching them to read, and by pointing out to them the importance of it; and often wish that the 100,000 slaves in Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice, could read; then we would write for 100,000 Bibles for them. The Negroes are sending you cotton, coffee, and sugar, every month; you must send them in exchange the precious word of God.

From the Moravian Missionaries on the Coast of Labrador*. OKKAK, Sept. 18, 1817. We, the Missionaries of Okkak, return to the worthy Bible Society

* Two of their number, of whom one had ministered in Labrador more than thir ty-one years, appeared at the Committee, on the 17th of last month, in the costume of the natives, and expressed the thanks of the Christian Esquimaux, for what the Society had done in their behalf.

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in London our most respectful and cordial thanks for the additional and most valuable present of the Acts of the Apostles, in the Esquimaux language, which we have received by the vessel of this year. May the Lord bless your deeds, which are wrought in God; and may the work you are carrying on, still continue to prosper for the salvation of many thousand souls!

This portion of the New Testament in the Esquimaux language, affords us much joy and encouragement; nor do we entertain a doubt but that our Esquimaux also will receive the most beneficial impressions, when, this winter, they shall read the beautiful description of the origin of the Christian Church, and feel their hearts warmed with fresh motives to gratitude.

Our aged Missionary at Nain, Mr. Schmidmann, is indefatigably engaged in completing the translation of all the Epistles, and has so far succeeded, that we have been able twice to circulate the manuscripts for revision, and we shall do the same, this winter, for the third time; after which, we shall get the whole fairly transcribed, and transmit it to you, next year, for your approbation and printing. From a Calmuc Prince to the President of the Russian Bible Society. January 4, 1816.

On the 19th of the first Tiger month, I received, with great pleasure, the letter you wrote to me on the first day of the Mouse month, in the last wooden Swine year, together with two copies of the history of the merciful God, Jesus Christ, translated into our Mongolian language; one bound in yellow, the other in red. You desire me, for my own benefit, to read in this book, which contains the word of God, and to afford my subjects an opportunity to hear it, and learn from it also.

In obedience to this command, I have not only myself read the word and doctrines of the all-merciful God, Jesus Christ, but have given one of the copies to our Lama, who reads it with the Priests. Respecting my subjects, I wished to gather them together, this winter, in order to have this Book publicly read to them; but on account of the severity of the season, that is not practicable.

In the course of four months, the chief of my people will go upon a pilgrimage, to be present at the celebration of a religious festival, and assemble for the purpose of praying. At that time, I shall have the Book read to the people congregated for such a pious purpose, and in this manner obey your injunctions.

I shall not neglect, through the grace of God, giving you an account of the effect it has produced, and pray to Him, that he may have mercy upon me.

(Signed)

TUMEN DSHIR-GALANG.

Written in mine own solid habitation, in the Island of Shambay, the first of the last Tiger Month of the Fire Mouse Year.

From the Rev. Robert Pinkerton.

ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 25, (O. S.) 1817. The Don Cossack Bible Society was finally established on the 12th of July, when the brave Hettman, Count Platoff, and General Kuteinckoff, were unanimously elected Vice-Presidents, together with a Committee of eight Directors, two Secretaries, and a Treasurer. At the first Meeting of the Committee, Count Platoff presided; and a number of appropriate regulations were made, which will tend greatly to accelerate the object of the Institution. The following are

extracts:

"Now that the Don Cossack Branch is regularly organized, the Committee will endeavour to act in such a way as is best calculated to further the benevolent objects of the Russian Bible Society, and to furnish all our Cossacks, who desire to possess them, with the Books of Holy Writ.

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It is necessary, therefore, first of all, to use means for augmenting the number of Members and Benefactors; thereby the amount of subscriptions will, by the aid of Almighty God, who blesses all good Institutions, be augmented also; at the formation of this Society, the subscriptions from the inhabitants of this city (Tscherkask) alone, were very considerable. The other parts of the Don Cossack States have not yet been called upon to aid this newly founded Institution; and, therefore, in order that the Cossack officers and men, and even the civil inhabitants, who are animated with a desire to promote the reading of the Word of God our Saviour, may have an opportunity of manifesting this their laudable zeal, by becoming supporters of this Society, the Cossack Government shall be petitioned to make its object known in a becoming way, in all the districts inhabited by the Don Cossacks, by sending to every village, 1st, a copy of His Imperial Majesty's letter to the Hettman, Count Platoff, on the subject of the Bible Society. 2d, A copy of the pamphlet on the object of the Russian Bible Society: from which every one will see, that not the smallest gifts are rejected; that even kopeks will be accepted with gratitude. 3d, Subscription papers for enrolling the names of the Members and Benefactors. Each of the Priests belonging to the Cossacks of the Don, shall also be furnished with copies of the same from the Consistories of Tscherkask and Hossersk; and these Consistories should further be petitioned to recommend the cause to the pastors of the flock of Christ, that on all occasions they may endeavour, as much as possible, to animate their people with a holy zeal for this work of God, undertaken to advance the glory of the Redeemer, and the eternal salvation of mankind. And as part of the Cossack troops are now on service in dif ferent countries; among whom, it may well be supposed, there are those, who, out of pious motives, would desire to take part in this work, so universally beneficial, and calculated to promote the salvation of souls, by becoming Members and Benefactors; therefore, the War Expedition should be requested to send copies of the above

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named papers to every station where the Cossacks are on actual service. Respecting the number of copies of the Holy Scriptures needed, it may be taken for granted that it will be great, because the zeal of the Cossacks for reading the word of God is well known."

According to the register which we have already received from the Committee in Tscherkask, the number of Members and Benefactors is no less than 8140. Their subscriptions amount to upwards of 22000 rubles; of which sum they have sent 10000 to aid the funds of the Parent Society. They have requested 365 copies in the Slavonian, German, Calmuc, and Tartar languages, to commence with; and are making preparations for opening a Depository.

LUTHER'S REFORMATION.

On the 31st of December, a very numerous meeting was held at the City of London Tavern, to celebrate the Tri-Centenary of the Reformation of Religion. More than 1500 persons were present, and among them a considerable portion of Ladies. The Duke of Sussex was called to the chair. 15 Resolutions were passed with acclamations.

1. Expressing the right of every man to worship God according to his conscience. 2. Declaring that Religion was not intended as an engine of state.-3. That the Scriptures as the only foundation of Religion ought to be accessible to all.-4. Against all authoritative expositions of Scripture.-5. Expressing that the violation of these principles caused multitudinous evils.-6. Censured the Romish prohibition of the Scriptures in ancient times to common people.7. Expressed a grateful remembrance of Wickliffe, Jerome, and Hess. -8. Avowed the object of the meeting to be the celebration of the Tri-centenial period of the Reformation of 1517.-9. Enumerated the political and social benefits that resulted from the Reformation, 10. Ranked Luther and his associates as great among the greatest of mankind.-11. Commemorating Knox, Tyndale, Latimer, and other martyrs.-12. Expressing joy in the similar respect for the Reformation proclaimed in Germany.-13. Exhorting the European and American Protestants to guard the principles of the Reformation, now that Monastic Institutions and dangerous Societies were revived, and Inquisitions were continued or re-established.—14 and 15, Deprecated persecutions and uncharitableness.

Copy of a Letter from the Rev. Samuel Worcester, D. D. Cor. Sec. A. B. C. F. M. to Miss R. Rooker, Cor. Sec. of the Baltimore Female Mite Society, dated

SALEM, March 2, 1818. DEAR MADAM-I cannot refrain from expressing to you the very high satisfaction with which I have perused the "First Annual Report of the Baltimore Female Mite Society for the Education of Hea then Children in India." It breathes the genuine missionary spirit: the spirit which glowed in the first heralds of the cross, and from the hill of Zion extended the light of salvation into all lands. Let this

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