118 13th Report of the Bri. and For. Bible Society. gen, to print an edition of 10,000 copies of the Danish Bible, with an offer of 5001. in aid of the expense thereof, which offer has been accepted. In the Faroe Islands, the institution of the Danish Bible Society has been hailed by the inhabitants as a most propitious event, and a liberal contribution has been raised by them in aid of its funds. The Icelandic Bible Society, of which the foundation was laid by the Rev. Mr. Henderson, during his residence in that island, having been established, your Committee bave added 300l. to its funds. The intelligence from Sweden respecting the Bible Institutions in that country is highly gratifying. The zeal which animates the Swedish Bible Society has been imparted in a considerable degree to the public at large, is gradually acquiring influence, and is displayed in unremitting efforts for extending the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, which are more eagerly sought for than ever. For this purpose, among other judicious measures, the arrange. ments for printing at Stockholm have been multiplied and enlarged. The Committee of the Gothenburg Auxiliary Society, of which the pious and venerable Bishop Wingard is President, display the same zeal for which they have ever been distinguished. They have supplied all the workhouses, prisons, houses of charity, and hospitals, within their district, with copies of the Sacred Volume. Their funds indeed have been devoted to the benefit of the poor; and, on this account, although their subscriptions are considerable, they are far from being adequate to the demands upon them. The Committee still, however, proceed in the gratuitous distribution of the Scriptures to the necessitous; "confident" (to use their own words) that Divine Providence will not permit the good work to be interrupted for want of means to carry it on. All the Bible Societies in Sweden are considered as Auxiliaries to the Swedish National Society at Stockholm; and there are only three dioceses in which societies remain to be instituted. Bible Associations are forming in different parts of the kingdom. Your Committee remark with pleasure a proposal from the Swedish Bible Society to that of St. Petersburg, for opening a correspondence between them on the object of their respective Institu tions, with a view to their mutual information and benefit; that it had been accepted. and ¿ For the deep interest which has been excited in Sweden to circulate the Holy Scriptures, that country is greatly indebted to the pious zeal and energy of the highly respectable, President of the Swedish Bible Society, His Excellency Count Rosenblad. In the midst of his laborious official duties as one of the first Ministers of State, he has found time to devote the closest attention to the concerns of the Bible Society; animating the zeal of the members, and encouraging their labours, by his own example. [To be continued.] Missionary Intelligence from India. INDIA. From the London Evangelical Magazine, Aug. 1817. 119 The Missionaries in India have agreed to collect from each station the most material occurrences, and to print them for their mutual benefit and the gratification of their friends, in a quarterly paper, at Madras. The Directors have lately received the following, which they gladly present to the members of the Society, as affording an interesting view of the present state of the work: BELLARY. Mat 1. The Translations.-Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, part of the Acts, the Epistles to the Ephesians, John's three Epistles, the first ten chapters of Genesis, and a pretty large tract, composed of extracts from the Sacred Scriptures, have been translated. thew and part of Luke have been several times carefully revised, and the former is now ready for the press. We expected to have had the whole of the Gospels in the same state of forwardness by this time, but a variety of other duties have caused a delay; however we hope soon to announce their completion, and the progress of several other parts of the sacred volume. We feel the vast importance of this part of our work, and are anxious to proceed in it as fast as possible, but we wish also to send out our translations as correct as we can make them. The boarding II. Schools belonging to the Mission.-1st. School in the mission house contains 24 scholars, some of whom appear promising children, and we hope have derived lasting benefit from their being placed under our care. The profits arising from this school, with the salaries which we received from the Missionary Society, are united in one general public fund, by which we are enabled to support three native schools, moonshees, a public reader, several writers for copying tracts, &c. &c. and to defray the expenses of a large and increasing establishment. 2d. A school in the Fort, called The Bellary Charity School,' supported by public subscription: upwards of 200 children have been educated in it since its establishment in 1811. At present there are 31 children in the school, five of whom are boarded, clothed, and lodged in it. For nearly three years past it has been conducted by a very worthy pious man, connected with the army, but who is now excused from military duty. We have reason to believe this school has proved a blessing to many, who would otherwise have grown up as ignorant and wicked, or worse, than the heathen. 3d. A native school in the mission garden, for Canara and Gentoo children, in which the Sacred Scriptures are read, and the catechisms are taught. About 50 children are in this school. 4th. An English school, for native scholars, in the mission garden also, in which 26 are learning the English language, of which some have acquired a considerable knowledge. 5th. A native school in the Coul Bazar, about a mile from the mission house, in which 55 children are instructed in their own language, and the principles of Christianity. 120 Missionary Intelligence from India. We have also native schools at Ruggool, Assoondy, Hurriall, and Paltoon, villages in the neighbourhood of Bellary, in which about 150 children are instructed in the same manner as those at home. Four of these native schools are supported partly by the monthly contribution of a few kind friends at Madras, and partly by the sacramental collections. Many applications have been made by the inhabitants of other villages, and it is our intention to form several other schools in eligible stations, as soon as our funds will admit of it. We intend soliciting aid from the Society, to enable us to establish five or six more. In some of the schools prejudices have been at first excited by requiring the children to read the Sacred Scriptures, and learn the catechisms: but in general they have very soon subsided. We feel much interest in this part of our establishment, and hope in time to see it prove eminently useful. Lord, smile upon the precious seed thus sown, and make it fruitful! III. Distributing tracts and portions of the Sacred Scriptures. Of these at present we have but a small variety; but the few we have keep several writers constantly employed in copying. Thousands have been distributed in Bellary, and the country around, and we have more applications for them than we can possibly sup ply. The catechisms, we are credibly informed, are introduced and taught in many schools in the country around, besides our own. Scarcely a day passes without many persons coming to us for tracts, which affords us opportunities of explaining their contents, and preaching to them Jesus, and salvation by him. As yet we have not commenced regular public worship on the Sabbath in the Canara language, but we intend it in the course of the present month in one of our school-rooms May a divine blessing accompany the word and make it the power of God to the salvation of many. Several natives whom we have endeavoured to instruct in the gospel of Christ, for a time appeared under concern and greatly excited our hopes, and two were desirous of being baptized, but it was thought prudent to keep them a while in a state of probation; and, alas! time has proved that their hearts were not right with God. IV. European Soldiers.-We have reason to rejoice that a great work is going on among the soldiers of his Majesty's 84th regiment, now stationed here: it was commenced by the labours of the pious and Rev. M. Smyth, at Trichinopoly; and afterwards while in camp, the Lord was pleased to bless the exertions of one of the pious soldiers, by whom several were brought to the knowledge of the truth since they came to Bellary, which was in August last. A great number have constantly attended our preaching in the Fort, and several have been awakened, and, we trust, savingly, converted to God. In the beginning of October last, 24 were received into the church; in December, two more; and six others are to be received at our next church-meeting. Several others appear to be under serious concern. Three evenings in the week we preach to them in the school-room, and the other evenings they meet in it for prayer and praise. Missionary Intelligence from India. 121 We have an Auxiliary Missionary Society, which is increasing last year we raised upwards of 100 pagodas, and this year, should the 84th regiment remain with us, we hope to raise much more. A Tract Society has also been established among us, which has already sent 10 pagodas to the parent Society. We have also a Reading Society, which has about 40 members, and has proved highly useful in promoting the good cause. Our worthy brother Taylor, from his knowledge of the Tamul, begins to afford us much help in translating; he also takes an active part in the schools, and once a month preaches in English in the Fort. BOMBAY Our American brethren have been written to on the subject of uniting with us in the circular. No answer has been received; but our brother Skinner, who lately saw them, brought us very pleasing intelligence of their qualifications, their devotedness, and their prospects. CALCUTTA.-A. copious epistle has been received from the brethren Townley and Keith. They arrived safely, September 7th, and found a number of pious and true kind friends, whose hearts were inclined towards them, and who gave them a most hospitable reception. After stating a variety of particulars, Brother Townley adds, October 21st, took possession of the house in which this is written. November 3d, commenced public worship in the hall, which will accommodate about 60 people. In the morning about 15 attended, and about twice as many in the evening. November 4, gave the missionary address at the chapel. 6th.-Worship in our hall; more attended than on Sabbath. '20th.-Our room this evening would but just accommodate the congregation. If another individual had come, there would have been no room for him. Several persons of respectability attended. We were thankful to our ever provident Master, that we had it in our power to announce to our hearers that in future worship would be held in Freemasons' Hall, in Duremtelleh. This place will accommodate about twice the number of our private hall, and has, in a very liberal and handsome manner, been gratuitously lent us by the members of the Freemasons' Lodge of True Friendship. On the 24th, transferred our worship to Free-masons' Hall. The congregation seems gradually increasing. 'Dec. 2d.-The missionary prayer-meeting was consolidated with that of the Baptist brethren, and held at Free-masons' Hall. The address was given by brother Ward. Having given the chronological accounts, he adds, Dr. Carey has been dangerously il! his life was almost despaired of; but the strong cries and importunate prayers offered up for this invaluable servant of Jesus Christ, have been heard and answered. He is now quite out of danger, and fast recovering. You will be pleased to learn that the Baptist brethren and ourselves are living upon the most friendly terms. We have preaching repeatedly for them at the chapel and at the 122 Missionary Intelligence from India. Fort, and they show us much affection; it will be our study not to forfeit their esteem, which we highly prize. The brethren are diligently employed in studying the language. Brother Keith and his wife are in good health. Mrs. Townley was safely delivered of a fine boy, on December 5th, and we hope her valuable life will long be spared.' CEYLON-We must apologize to the brethren Erhardt, Palm, and Read, for not communicating to them our proposed plan, but shall take the first opportunity of forwarding to them the intelligence. They were in good health when they last wrote to brother Loveless. The American brethren also in this island we hope will join us, as we correspond with them at present, and have lately received some pleasing intelligence from them. They have in their possession the large church built by the Portuguese. The Governor is the father of every good institution. The chaplains are very kind and affectionate, and the Wesleyan brethren are very devotedly engaged in their great and glorious work. CHINSURAH.-Brother May was writing to us some time since, but his letter is not yet arrived; however we rejoice to say that he is in good health and spirits, and his schools are reported to be in a flourishing condition. He has lately entered into the honourable state of matrimony with Miss Balfour of Calcutta. GANJAM. The pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the destruction that wasteth at noon-day, having almost depopulated that once healthy place, our afflicted brother Lee, with his family, removed to Vizag: there they remained for a little season, but finding no benefit from the change, they pursued their course to Madras. Here they arrived September 8th, almost exhausted with the awful effects of the fever. Their passage was unusually protracted, and peculiarly distressing. For the space of several days they had no bread to eat, and though exposed to a vertical sun, and burning with the fever, yet no water could be procured, except one cask from a brig which passed them, and from the surrounding current which floated their bark their oil and candles were quite exhausted, so that the rind of bacon was used as a substitute. Amidst all their distress, sister Lee was confined; but through the gracious kindness of our heavenly Father, both root and branch were spared. During the whole passage, the captain treated them with the utmost kindness, which brother and sister Lee never will forget. Since their arrival they have gradually recovered, and are now in a convalescent state, and waiting for a passage to return to their station. MADRAS. The Missionary Chapel which was erected in 1810 by the liberal contribution of several valuable friends, is still supported by the hand of munificence. In this sacred place we have frequent opportunities of preaching the glorious gospel. On Sunday morning and evening, and on Wednesday evening, many as |