by Baxter-The Pilgrim's Progress | many of the languages of pagan counJaneway's Token - The Evidences of tries, even the most remote. At the Christianity Commentaries on the most important Missionary Stations, Gospels and Epistles, and many other the number and variety of hymns are most seasonable and important works, found adequate for private and publie are in circulation among the people, worship, and considerable advance has shedding light, correcting error, and been made in teaching the Christian leading to the Lamb of God. Very nu- converts to sing, and, especially the merous tracts have been printed at youth educated in our Missionary Madras, in the Tamul language, in ad- schools: and who can calculate the dition to large supplies of broad-sheets. good, of a directly evangelical kind, reIn Jaffna, a considerable number has sulting from the publication and use of been issued, and at Travancore, an these hymn books-simple, devotional, ample variety in the same language. clear in doctrinal statement-among the multitudes in heathen lands? These valuable issues will be enjoyed by those converted to Christianity, from year to year, and will be of inestimable benefit to them; and they will prove of immense service to successive Missionaries, in furnishing arguments, and augmenting that knowledge, by which Christianity, when applied by the Spirit of God, is to prevail. It has been justly observed, that it is a labour from which fruit will always be realized; and the same noiseless labours must be performed in all new Missions, and continued, to a great extent, in those long established; but, so far as idiomatic, intelligible, and adapted works, of a purely Christian character, have been prepared and circulated, it is labour of the most useful kind, and labour which will be of permanent and increasing importance. The issues of religious tracts from the Calcutta Tract Society have been, and still are, of a numerous and important character, amounting to many large volumes, and their circulation is of great and increasing utility. Many distinct tracts have been printed in the Malay, and are continually producing the best results. In the language of Burmah, there has been a considerable issue, also portions of the Word of God, calculated to interest and impress, in the tract form,-a mode of proceeding which cannot be too highly commended. The printing of tracts in the Chinese language has been large, is increasing, and promises to be of large, permanent, indeed, unbounded usefulness. The above statements will apply to extended groups of islands, and to very many populous and important natious;—and, we ask, who knows what may, eventually, arise from the circulation of these As the result of Christian Missions, "silent messengers of mercy?" who can 11. The Holy Scriptures have been tell what light may be imparted-what most extensively translated, and circuerrors may be corrected-what preju-lated among idolatrous and pagan tribes dices may be subdued-what supersti- and nations. tions and idolatries may be checked and even abolished-what emotions may be inspired-what prayers to the true God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, may be presented and what hopes may be awakened-as the consequences of the publication and unlimited issue of Christian tracts, for the special benefit of heathen nations? Hymn books, too, have been printed and circulated in This undertaking has been regarded of the utmost moment, and the results flowing from it, from generation to generation, no language can describe, no imagination portray. The Word of God is the grand instrument of conversion; the unadulterated truth of the gospel is that, and that alone, by which the heathen will be enlightened, and brought to repentance; and, therefore, our Mis sionaries everywhere have viewed the work of translating the Scriptures into the languages and dialects of millions unacquainted with Christianity, and especially those languages most extensively spoken-such as the Hindostanee and Chinese-as among their greatest and most valuable efforts. To this work they have girded themselves-on this they have concentrated their minds and on this they have brought to bear all their intellectual and theological resources. And when we dwell on the number of translations of the Scriptures, either in whole or in part, which have been effected by modern Missionaries, of critical skill and ability, and of great facility in the acquisition of languages, and their correct translation, our surprise, our gratitude, our admiration, are spontaneously awakened. factory, established, and unexceptionable version. Now, is it not most delightful to consider that these versions embrace the languages of more than one-half of the human family?—and some of them are, confessedly, among the most intricate and difficult in the world. We inquire, then, Can these numerous and admirable translations of the Scrip. tures into heathen languages and dia lects, spoken by so many hundred mil lions of people, in all parts of Asia, Africa, and in the large and important islands which stud the boundless oceans girdling our globe, have been effected in vain? Can the circulation of the Scriptures, either partially or entirely, among multitudes of pagans in India, in China, in Burmah, in Persia, be a work that is either nugatory or without blessed and glorious consequences resulting from it? It is obviously impossible. The last day alone will be able to declare the fruits arising from the translation of the Scriptures into the languages of the great nations of the world, at present pagan and idolatrous. As the result of Christian Missions, III. The benefits associated with the morals of the gospel have been largely conferred. This was, unquestionably, an undertaking of no ordinary kind. Let us dwell on it dispassionately. Let us ponder the fact calmly and earnestly. Let us endeavour to measure the magnitude of the work, the difficulties connected with it, and its extreme importance in every respect, and we shall admit, at once, the truth of the observation. These translations, in numerous cases, be it remembered, have been effected from the original tongues, with These have been most palpably realcontinuous and immense labour in col- ized, and their precious blessings have lating versions, and, after the most been most extensively diffused; while minute and extended reading in the the happiness imparted - the dignity sacred writings of the natives, to col- bestowed-the progress made, as the lect lucid and suitable words, to correct legitimate consequences, have been inidioms, and that the whole translation calculably great. Many large tribes, might be marked by extreme care and and even entire peoples, have adopted precision. Several of these versions, the principles of Christianity;-in a too, have been printed in succeeding considerable number of islands in the editions, and each has been revised South Seas, paganism continues no with attention and labour almost equal longer to be the religion of the populato those which the translation itself de- tion. Instead of the dark and painful manded: and it is important to observe, scenes formerly witnessed-the degradthat in many cases distinct and inde- ation formerly realized the misery pendent translations have been executed formerly experienced-how marked the in the same language; thus furnishing contrast! How signal the moral revomultiplied and accumulated materials lution! Where there was abject for forming, eventually, a most satis-poverty, there are now prosperity and abundance. Where wars, plunder, and | minds defiling their thoughts and feelings, and mingling with their first and most abiding impressions; but they are instructed in the simple, intelligible, beautiful principles of Christianity, and are restrained and controlled by the pure and celestial "truth as it is in Jesus." The day of God is not neglected altogether, or shamelessly desecrated: it is carefully and religiously observed;-and the people, formerly heathen, congregating for worship, from week to week, have the opportunity, and the advantage, of receiving the most valuable and precious instructions, and of securing the utmost moral and religious benefit. And, as the result of all, a much higher tone is given to the thoughts, to the feelings, to the desires. The character is elevated - the habits are altogether dissimilar from what they originally were-and even though the work of conversion, in very many instances, is not effected, still the change ac In those countries where children were neglected-infants thrown into the water, or buried in the soil-wives degraded and oppressed, and widows burned-domestic gentleness, love, and tranquillity, are now seen, and mutual endearment is now realized. It has been justly remarked, that, wherever even nominal Christianity takes root, through Protestant efforts, it produces more energy of character, milder man-complished is great, delightful, perners, and purer morals, than have ever fectly marvellous. been shown under any form of pagan or Mahometan influence. Be it observed, that there are some Missionary Stations where nominal Christians are now not reckoned by hundreds, but thousands. Granted, that the conduct of many of these nominal professors, in pagan countries, is, frequently, by no means what it should be-that it is, in numerous cases, not merely no ornament, but positive deformity: still, conceding all this-and we must do the same with countries professedly Christian-the advantages conferred by the morality of the gospel on pagan lands are inestimable. We find that the children at our Missionary Stations grow up decidedly among healthy and beneficial influences, and that they are instructed to discriminate between good and evil. They are not tainted with a false, corrupt, impure, and deadly mythology, early presented to their As the result of Christian Missions, IV. In several parts of the world, the mighty and entire structure of idolatry itself has been shaken. There can be no question about this. Observation confirms it. The statements of enlightened Missionaries the reports of impartial and able travellers-substantiate it. Facts indisputably establish it. There has been light thrown in on the darkness and absurdity of paganism, which can never be extinguished. There has been an impression produced with regard to the folly, the wickedness, the gross imposture of heathenism, which can never be effaced. In many important communities—in the South Seas-among the African tribes-in some parts of India, and other districts of the globe, the knowledge of the Divine character and government, as the one infinitely wise and true God, and of salvation exclusively through the heathen superstition and idolatry, gigantic and long-established, has received a tremendous shock; and without being convinced, that many extended portions of the kingdom of darkness and imposture are in a state of the utmost commotion, and, indeed, on the eve of a wide-reaching moral revolution. We would not exaggerate. We would not proceed too far. We admit that the hold of superstition and idolatry, in large and mighty empires, is yet very powerful; still we do maintain, that, in very many quarters, that hold has been materially relaxed. There has been a shaking among the nations. The heathen priests have trembled-the heathen temples have been regarded by multitudes, even of those who had worshipped in them, as the temples of jugglery and imposture mediation and atonement of his dear | have been effected already; without Son, has become, not only general, but being sensible, that the fabric of universal. In countries previously devoted to heathenism, large numbers of individuals, influential, intelligent, reflective, have openly ridiculed, and even denounced, the superstitions and idolatries prevailing, and their confidence in the rites and religious usages of their people, has been not only diminished but destroyed. Besides -and it is important to regard it-deep | convictions of the truth and value of Christianity have been produced in the minds of multitudes who are reluctant —indeed, who dare not publicly-to announce their adhesion to it. Very many converts to the Christian faith have sprung from among the elevated classes, and not a few even from the priesthood itself;-and it has been admitted, that some of the priests brought under the influence of Christianity, had been so distinguished for their reputed sanctity for their devotedness to the religious ceremonies of paganism-and so much venerated by the devotees of heathen worship-that, when their conversion to the religion of Christ was proclaimed, there was not merely the utmost attention excited-the utmost surprise awakened-the utmost inquiry elicited, but the utmost consternation experienced. A shock was given which was terrible, which was felt by the entire community. And it must not be forgotten, that education, and reflection, have liberated thousands from the trammels and the laws, and even the denunciations and terrors, of paganism, who have not yet received Christianity, and identified themselves with the disciples of the Redeemer or the Mis sionaries of the Cross. No person, we conceive, of the slightest observation or discrimination, can have penetrated heathen countries, where Christianity has for some period been taught with simplicity and clearness, and its principles consistently unfolded, without perceiving that great and signal changes and very many of the idols formerly so much venerated, and esteemed as deities to be honoured, have been repudiated, and indignantly "cast to the moles and the bats." This is one of the most wonderful results of Christian Missions-one of the most glorious of their achievements. That such a work has been accomplished, in any heathen country, is marvellous - most marvellous and develops, in the clearest manner, "the finger of God." Such an event, moreover, is full of the richest encouragement. It shows not only that there has been a marked blessing on past efforts in pagan countries, and the promise of one still more enlarged and delightful, but that the facilities for future plans and labours, and the preparedness for future exertions and successes, are most animating, most inspiring. As the result of Christian Missions, V. The impression and change produced on the European population in heathen countries have been very marked and powerful. This point should never be unnoticed, when we recur to such a theme as that we now regard. It is one of great significance, and is as obvious as important. We view it as one of the indirect and collateral, but one of the most valuable and blessed consequences of the Missionary enterprise, and calculated materially to extend its power and efficiency. It comes immediately in contact with our own countrymen in remote lands, and strangers from every part of Europe and America, and communicates to them invaluable blessings. It has been correctly stated, that, previously to the commencement of the great Missionary undertaking, there was, among those who resided in distant and heathen countries, whether in public or private life, an almost universal enmity against religion-particularly hightoned and spiritual piety. Our countrymen were dark with the heathen population; sinful with the people-apathetic with them; and, in very many cases, almost as superstitious and idolatrous. If not, in numerous instances, so low, and so blind, still there was little or no sense of religion. They lived without God, and without Christ in the world. It was stated by the immortal William Carey, that, when he arrived at Calcutta, at the outset of his Missionary career, he could hear of only three pious persons in India, according to his enlarged and elevated views, except the four or five noble-minded Missionaries. What a change, how ever, since that period, has been produced! What moral and religious marvels, since that dark and gloomy time, have been effected! Now, and for a long period, a considerable number of the intelligent, the opulent, the influential, and even those of the highest ranks in the East, have publicly professed their adherence to the Christian faith and worship, and they openly serve and honour God, shining as lights in dark parts of the world. Many hundreds of travellers, of sailors, of emigrants, have received a special blessing through the medium of Christian Missions. Probably, thousands, and tens of thousands, of soldiers and marines, with their officers, have been brought to Christ,-at any rate, instructed in the great principles of Christianity, through the enlightened and generous labours of valued Missionaries, of every denomination, and from every part of the Christian world. Numbers of civilians, as well as military, are members of various mission churches, and prove some of the most consistent, the most active, the most honourable, the most devoted. Places of worship are either wholly or partially erected by them, and prayer-meetings, educational and Christian services, sustained by them. The Sabbath is now religiously observed, where those who believed in Christianity had previously long resided, without giving any open demonstration of their sentiments, or of their worship. And it is obvious, that, in many pagan empires, large and popu lous, missions, well conducted-presided over by enlightened and able men-men wise in all their arrangements, pacific and kindly in their spirit have received the utmost countenance and support from individuals in authority, settled in those countries, who have themselves made no open profession of their attachment and devotedness to the Christian religion. It has been justly stated, that apologies for paganism have been nearly silenced. Heathenism-whatever, in past days, has been represented and urged by some-is so corrupt and so corrupting, that it cannot be consistently or safely advocated. Opposition to Christianitythat is, direct, public, successful opposition-has been determinately checked. In many parts of the world, where honoured Missionaries have been long labouring, and where missions are firmly established, large and handsome donations towards the support of Christian schools and places of worship, and |