. to avert from them the extremity of distress with which they were threatened. It is not therefore surprising that the mission funds should be so reduced as to have been scarcely sufficient to support the families of the missionaries that are maintained by them, and the aged and infirm who have retired from labour, or that the Brethren should be at the present time dependent chiefly upon other communities of Christians for the preservation of the existence of their missions abroad. Notwithstanding these discouragements, they unobtrusively persevere in simplicity and humility, trusting that He who said to his disciples, "Lo! I am with you always, even to the end of the world," will not leave them destitute of the means of continuing to promote the spiritual and temporal benefit of the various flocks they have been the honoured instruments of gathering from among the heathen, and which have been rescued from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. From the Religious Remembrancer. Extracts of a letter from the Rev. Dr. MORRISON, to a gentleman in Philadelphia. Canton, China, Dec. 4, 1818. MY DEAR SIR, I was favoured a few days ago with your friendly letter, which I would now acknowledge; and beg to hand you the plan of an Institution forming at Malacca. My health is much as usual. A pain in my side however makes me a little afraid of that prevailing malady in these climates-the liver. Divine Providence still afflicts me in the person of my dear Mrs. Morrison. This is now the sixth year that my family and I have lived in opposite hemispheres. But what is any service that we can render to our Saviour! I trust he will, in infinite mercy, accept my imperfect services. I am the originator of the inclosed plan, and Providence has enabled me to part with 1,500l. to the object, without, I hope, distressing my family, He must I hope you will not forget the preacher: do not call him a missionary. A timid man, such as I am, will not answer. be bold and prudent : and, with God's blessing, he will be useful. GENERAL PLAN Of an Institution forming at Malacca under the superintendence of the Rev. W. MILNE. 1st. The Name. The Institution is to be designated the An glo-Chinese College. This appellation is thought more appro priate than Academy, School, or any other name which occurred when the plan was originally formed. 2d. The Object. The object of the College is the reciprocal cultivation of Chinese and European literature. On the one hand, the Chinese language and literature will be made accessible to Europeans; and on the other hand, the English language with European literature and science will be made accessible to the Ultra-Ganges nations, who read Chinese. These nations are China, Cochinchina, the Chinese colonies in the eastern Archipe lago, Loochoo, Corea, and Japan. It is hoped that this course of proceeding will ultimately have a favourable influence on the peaceable diffusion of Christian principles, and the general civilization of the eastern hemisphere. 3d. What the College will afford to Students. Ist. The College will be furnished with an extensive Chinese library, and a collection of all such European books as bear upon its object, viz. Books of general literature and science, with such as treat of the Language, History, Manners, &c. of the nations above specified. 2d. The European professors of the Chinese language, capable also of communicating European learning, and native Chinese tutors; the European professors will be Protestants. 3d. Accomodations in the College for a limited number of students, at rates hereafter to be mentioned. Those students who maintain themselves, may if they please, lodge in the town, as is the case in Europe. 4th. A fund will be formed for the maintenance of poor native students. 5th. To European students the Chinese language will be taught, for such purposes as the students choose to apply it, to religion, to literarure, or to commerce. 6th. To native students the English language will be taught, geography, history, arithmetic and such other branches of learning as time may afford, together with moral philosophy, christian theology, and their own classics. 7th. There is at the station an English and a Chinese press, which literary students may avail themselves of, and it is intended to form a Botanic Garden on the grounds of the College, to collect under one view, the tropical plants of the eastern Archipelago. 4th. Who will be admissible. Persons of any nation of Europe, or of the continent of America, belonging to any Christian communion, bringing with them respectable recommendations as to their moral habits and the objects they have in view, will be admitted; persons from European Universities having travelling fellowships; Christian Missionaries; and persons belonging to commercial companies, or attached to national Consuls, will be admitted. Native youths of any of the above named countries who either support themselves, or who may be maintained by Christian Societies, or by private gentlemen, who wish to serve Native Youths by giving them an English education. These Native Youths shall not be required to profess the Christian religion, nor will they be compelled to attend Christian worship, they will however be invited to do so; and the good order of the Institution will require their attendance on all lectures given publicly. 5th. Continuance in the College. The period of continuance in the College must depend on circumstances to be arranged here after. 6th. Resources. The resources of the College will be, fees paid by European or Native students who maintain themselves or are maintained by their patrons or friends, and voluntary contributions. 7th. Management. The management of the College and its funds to be placed in the hands of a Patron and Trustees. Any small subscription, from Two Dollars and upwards, to the general purposes of the Anglo-Chinese College, or to any particular part of the plan, will be thankfully received in behalf of the object, by The Rev. W. Milne, Malacca, or by The Rev. Dr. Morrison, China. In order to furnish full information to the public respecting the progress made towards establishing the Anglo-Chinese College it is here mentioned, that there is already appropriated to it a piece of ground for the site of the College, originally granted by the Honourable Company's Penang Government, to be sanctioned by the Dutch authorities. One Thousand Pounds for the building, by the originator of the plan; and an annual subscription of one hundred for five years. One hundred pounds towards the College Library by Sam'l Ball, Esq. A donation of £50, and an annual subscription of £12 10. for four years, by J. Molony, Esq'r. A donation of £100 by a friend, to the cultivation of the Chinese language. T. C. Smith, Esq. C. Majoribanks, Esq. Subscription by £10 10 J. Reeves, Esq. £20 30 25 C. Magnial, Esq. 50 £105 00 73 10 W. S. Davidson, Esq. 100 guineas LETTER FROM ALEXANDER. The Bible Society of Frankfort on the Maine, sent a letter to the Emperor Alexander, with their first Annual Report:-The following reply, in the hand writing of the Emperor, has been received. "To the Direction of the Bible Society of the city of Frankfort, on the Maine "The letter from this Direction, accompanied by the account of the celebration of the first anniversary, was handed to me in due time. As the members of this respectable and salutary institution, are desirous to commune with me concerning their exertions and the happy result in the sacred cause of humanity.I take pleasure in acknowledging my thankfulness, and to express the sentiments which animate me. "The diffusion of the Book of the Divine Word, among all nations of the earth, this new Revelation of the invaluable Grace of God the Saviour, towards the human family, evidently aims at the completion of the sublime works of salvation. Happy he, who is instrumental in it; for he gathers fruit unto eternal life, that he who sows and he who reaps, may rejoice together. "I do not merely say, that I have found this subject worthy of my attention; I say more; by this as my most sacred duty I am penetrated, because on it essentially depends the temporal and eternal felicity of those whom Providence has confided to my care. The Most High, in the clearest manner works in this thing. And not in Europe only and in the whole extent of the Russian Empire is the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Master glorified, but it begins to be glorified even in the remotest parts, and in all languages of the Earth. "The Bible Society of the free city of Frankfort, on the Maine, has already distinguished itself by the ardor with which it contributes towards the dissemination of the word of eternal life. Its report is an undeniable proof of its zeal. "It is very pleasing to me to be able to declare my respect towards this society in general, and particularly to the members of the Direction. Moscow, 29th Nov. 1817. "ALEXANDER." BAVARIA. From the German Papers, Munich, Nov. 15. THE Act of Union, of the Lutheran and reformed confessions, in the Bavarian circle of the Rhine, was confirmed by his Majesty on the 10th of October. The chief contents of this document relate to the following points : A. General Regulations.-The two confessions are fraternally united, under the name of Protestant Evangelical Christian church. It has no other basis of faith than the Holy Scriptures. B. Religious Doctrine.-It declares the holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to be a festival of remembrance of Jesus Christ, and of the blessed union with him. Confession is a self-examination before partaking of the Lord's Supper; it is therefore no longer called confession, but prepa ration. With respect to Predestination and Elective Grace, this church expresses its conviction that God has destined all men for salvation, and does not withhold from them the means of attaining it. It recognises no necessary baptism (Sie nimms Keine Nothtaufean.) These are the few main fundamental principles from which all the other rules for the practice of divine worship are deduced, viz. C. Rites and Liturgy. D. Religious scholastic instruction. E. Property of the Church, its union, administration, and application. F. Constitution of the Church. G. Religious Discipline.-Upon these principles, the Royal Rescript of Oct. 10, declares the union of the Protestant confessions in the circle of the Rhine to be accomplished. LONDON. We have heard with pleasure, that efforts are now made, and with considerable hope of ultimate success, to unite, on grounds honourable to them both, the two branches of the Secession Church in Scotland. We have received a paper from Johnstone, near Paisley, on this subject, but our limits will not admit of its insertion at present. MENDICITY. THE Society for the Suppression of Mendicity in the Metropolis, appears to have been already very useful, and meets with considerable encouragement. We hope its funds will keep pace with its increased exertions. More than six thousand beggars have been examined by them, whose cases have been suitably regarded. They have found that generally the most successful beggars are those who deserve punishment rather than relief, whilst many of the deserving poor are pining in want and misery, besause they cannot adopt the bold and daring importunity of the impostor. Several benevolent persons are digesting a plan, in aid of the Mendicity Society, to provide employment for the industrious poor. Another Society has been recently formed, denominated The Provisional Protection Society;? under the exclusive management of a Committee of Ladies, the object of this Society is to protect and relieve female servants of good character who are out of place. |