charge of this society. I learn from him, that there are about four hundred English residents here. This gentleman is an amiable, interesting and intelligent man. His sentiments correspond with the articles of the Church of England, so far as I am acquainted with them. On the other hand, a considerable number of his hearers, he informs me, are Socinians. I did not learn that any law existed, which should preclude the preachers, churches, or worship of other protestant nations. I was told they would not be molested, provided they did not interfere with the Catholics. But they would doubtless find it necessary to apply to the government for permission; and prejudice, caprice, and the impulse of the moment, sway so much the descisions of a despotic government in regard to the worship of those, whom they consider heretics, that I consider it impossible to be well assured in respect of the result. The moral character of this people is deplorable. Although drunkenness is not often seen to walk the streets; and perhaps is less known in this city, than in most of the larger cities of our country; almost every other species of iniquity abounds. Profaneness prevails to a very awful extent. From the conversation of many, whose standing is respectable, I should conclude, that they do not look upon it as evincing a want of saving religion. The people generally have no correct idea of the true nature of religion. Gambling is openly and generally practised. The grossest and most abominable familiarity exists between masters and their slaves. Bigotry, lust, and barbarous cruelty, not seldom combine in the same individual. It seems here, as in heathen lands, to have been the effect of their worship of images, to remove the Most High far from their thoughts. In general, they appear to have little sense of moral obligation, and of their accountability to God; and no fears that they are in danger of everlasting destruction. Seduction is so frequent, and redress from the law so difficult to be obtained, that assassinations are not uncommon. The moral virtues are scarcely exemplified. As to the Sabbath-the traditions of the elders have more weight, than the law of God-many of their holidays are more regarded. While the people "abstain from meats," and "pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin," they omit the weightier matters of the law; they refuse to "keep holy the Sabbath day." The closing of public offices and a few ceremonies in the morning, are the only observances, which came within my observation. Most of the stores are open. The markets are held as usual. Slaves are carrying fruit, &c. about the city for sale. Bull-baiting and the card table engage equally the attention of both sexes in the afternoon, and the theatre in the evening. And, universally, those who are not employed, in consequence of the closing of public offices, make the Sabbath a day of recreation. Contemplating the scenes before me on that day, I seemed to be in a moral wilderness. It was not a day of rest, consecrated to the Lord, but of noise and tumult; and proclaimed this to be a place "where Satan's seat is." But the missionary, as such, would not be tolerated here. This you have probably inferred from facts already mentioned. He comes to convert sinners, and that neither priests, people, nor government would endure. Even the English nation, in order to obtain permission to erect churches for the accommodation of her own subjects, found it necessary to engage that no attempts should be made by her clergymen to draw the Catholics from their religion. This government is absolute, and makes no scruple at imprisoning, or banishing from the country, the subject of any nation, if his actions correspond not with their wishes. Mr. Crane observed to me, that he should expose himself to both of these, should he give even a Bible to a Catholic. Were it not the case, that the monks, the priests, and the established religion, are considered essential to the present form of government, which now stands on a precarious footing, I should be inclined to believe, that a missionary, possessing a good share of judgment and prudence, might labour unmolested, at least by government, in places remote from the capital. But these places have for some time-especially since the rebellion at Pernambuco, a few years since, engaged the watchful and anxious care of the men in power.-In a word, I have been able to find no reason for believing, that any part of Brazil presents, at the present time, a field sufficiently encouraging, to demand the particular attention of the Board. The prospect is equally discouraging, in regard to schools. The instructor would not be allowed to introduce the Bible, or to instruct his pupils in the great doctrines of the Gospel. Education is in a very low state in the city, and throughout the kingdom. The schools in this city, which are few in number, are supported by subscription. There are no free schools. The Portuguese generally, seem little inclined to reading. Although the king has opened his library (which is an excellent one of seventy thousand volumes,) to the people, few of the middle and lower ranks improve the privilege. Indeed much may be inferred, as to the state of education in this kingdom, from the fact, that although this city is the capital, the largest by far in the kingdom, the residence of the king and his court, a place of great trade, the resort, we may suppose, of the greatest abilities and most splendid acquirements in the king's dominions; and, of course, the centre of information, and the seat of science and the arts;-there are, nevertheless, no literary, or scientific societies; no institutions for the encouragement and promotion of the arts: no public schools, academies, or colleges:-in fact, there are none in the kingdom;-no reading rooms, excepting in the king's library; few bookstores, and those of little note;-but one printing press, and but one newspaper. (To be concluded.) MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. ORIN FOWLER, who returned lately from a mission to Indiana, &c. to the Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, dated June 3, 1819. Since I entered into the service of your Society, a period of one year, I have travelled four thousand two hundred and twentyfive miles; preached two hundred and thirty-two sermons; visited four hundred families, thirty-two sick persons, and eight schools; formed four churches, administered the Lord's supper six times; baptized eighty-eight children and adults; and received eighty-one persons to the privileges of church-membership, including those formed into churches; besides performing a variety of other missionary duty. In the state of Indiana, there are now about 200,000 inhabitants, and in the state of Illinois, about 70,000, exclusive of Indians. There is not a Presbyterian minister, that has a pastoral charge, in either of these states. Two, however, are about to be settled in the former. The anxieties of many, to receive missionary aid, cannot be expressed, but by their tears, and sighs, and groans, and prayers. In several places where I have laboured, there has been some special attention to the one thing needful. Now is the time, and the western world the region, in which to do good. The harvest is truly great; the fields are white, and but few to thrust in the sickle. The means of the people are. scanty; but, according to their ability, they have uniformly treated me with so much kindness and affection, that what I have seen and experienced has often affected my heart. The surprising difficulties they encounter, with seeming cheerfulness, as well as the distances they travel to hear the word preached, are pleasing testimonials of the price at which they value missionary efforts. I will mention one instance of their kindness and attention to me. In the month of January, while I was travelling near the river Wabash, my horse failed, and soon died. Shortly after, I went to Vincennes, to fulfil an appointment, that, being one of my places of preaching. When it was known that my horse had failed, the citizens, unsolicited, within three hours, purchased another, for $100, and gave it to me, wishing me to accept it as a token of their feelings towards me, and the business on which I was sent. If, then, there is so great a multitude perishing for lack of know. ledge; if the fields are white, now for the harvest-what shall be done? Shall the heralds of the cross settle with them? This, in most cases, is impracticable, for the settlers having just arrived, and generally without resources, must contend with the difficulties of a new country for years; and can do but little, if they would, for the support of the Gospel. Missionaries must go there, or the people must perish. There is no other alternative. Christian Spectator. Third Report of the American Bible Society. (Continued from page 254.) FUNDS.-There have been received into the Treasury during the past year By remittances from Auxiliary Societies, By remittances from Societies not Auxiliary, By legacies and donations from individuals, $26,288 94 2,579 45 375 25 105 80 1,117 60 6,203 00 By annual dues and life subscriptions from members, 1,366 25 [By the Treasurer's Report it appears, that on the first of May last the balance in his hands was $1,188 22. That for the ten thousand five hundred dollars six per cent stock belonging to the Society, he has received ten thousand five hundred dollars-from collections, donations, sales of Bibles, Testaments, and office rents of part of the Depository, $42,723 94, amounting in the whole to $54,412 16. That the whole expenditures of the Society during the year, including $9,281 89 paid for nine thousand dollars six per cent U. S. funded debt, have been $54,233 77 leaving a balance in the hands of the Treasurer of $178 39. In the total amount of credits by the Treasurer are included three hundred and sixty-five dollars in certificates of deposit, or Bank Notes not convertible into current money, or are at too great a discount to be parted with by the Treasurer. The Funds of the Society amount to $24,534 32] The Board cannot help noticing, with much pleasure, the amount of income arising from the laudable practice of congregations, or individuals rendering their ministers members for life of the Society. Believing that in proportion as the public mind is informed, public feeling will be excited, and a corresponding activity produced on behalf of the Bible Societies, the Board have directed the publication of a periodical work entitled "Quarterly Extracts." The good effects of this measure have already been felt, and the Board would take the liberty of suggesting to the members of the Society, the expediency of contributing, by their example and influence, to the circulation and perusal of the publication. The Board are in possession of no correspondence with foreign national Bible Societies which it would be interesting to communicate. [The Report notices the success of the "British and Foreign Bible Society," and the Russian Bible Society;" but as an account of their operations has already been published in the Christian Herald, (See Vol. V. page 289,) we shall omit this part of the Report, and proceed to mention the interesting fact, that a Protestant Bible Society has been instituted at Paris.] France also has, during the last year, seen a Bible Society arise in her metropolis. A Protestant Bible Society has been established at Paris, to circulate the holy Scriptures without "note or comment," in the versions received by the Protestant Communion. The first step of its founders was to obtain from the government authority to associate for the religious purposes which they propose to themselves. This was granted to them in a letter from his Excellency the Minister of General Police, dated 9th October, 1818. Thus sure of the countenance of government, they made their plan known to their brethren of the two Consistorial Churches of Paris; and they had the satisfaction very soon to see a great number of the most distinguished members of those churches concur in the execution of their plan. They are now prosecuting endeavours to unite the French Protestant churches generally in their object. Peers of the realm are already associated with ministers of the Gospel in giving patronage to the Society, and its commencement is altogether under circumstances highly auspicious. Did the limits of a Report like this permit, the Board might go on to show, that, in almost every land that has any title to the Christian name, there are Bible Societies active and zealous according to their opportunities and their resources. Christendom has at length discovered one point of true religion, in which all her denominations can unite, "The circulation of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment." And who among us can look on and see what is now doing both at home and abroad for spreading the knowledge of the Lord and of his Christ-without exclaiming in thankfulness and praise, "What hath God wrought!" "The Lord God hath lifted up his hand to the Gentiles, and set up his standard to the people-kings have become the nursing fathers, and their queens the nursing mothers of Zion-the deaf hear the words of the Book, and the eyes of the blind see out of obscurity and out of darkness, and the poor among men rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." The Board would do injustice to their own feelings, did they fail to congratulate their brethren on these prospects, and on the goodness of God in giving to the American Bible Society so high a place among the many Institutions that are thus "striving together for the faith of the Gospel." As a Society, we owe Him much for His infinite mercies during the last year. Our unity is unbroken; our numbers are increased; our prospects of usefulness widening and brightening every day. The rapidly increasing population of our own coun |