The Finns came in crowds to receive them; many of them for more than forty versts (about 28 miles,) to receive these messengers of Grace. A great awakening has taken place among these poor peasants. "Their cries for more Tracts," says Dr. Paterson, "are most urgent." Switzerland. In most of the Protestant Cantons, there now exist larger Societies or smaller Associations, by whose combined exertions, Religious Tracts are extensively circulated in German, French, and Italian. A Clergyman of Berne thus writes of his country— In our Alps, there are many valleys at great distance from each other, the almost isolated inhabitants of which have so much time upon hand, that their solitude might be enlivened by the perusal of religious writings: and thus their desire after heavenly knowledge in some degree satisfied. Some of them are many miles distant from their Churches; and, at times, they cannot even make an attempt to approach them, on account of the roads being rendered impassable by ice and snow. They are, however, fond of reading; and if they were supplied with some good books, it would be a security against their indulging in the fancies of their own imaginations. Having, for thirty years, made many a journey through our Alps, and penetrated even into the wildest parts, I know the inhabitants tolerably well; and have discovered them to be possessed of much piety, and a great desire after what is good. For nearly thirty years, numerous foreign travellers have visited these districts, many of whom, with their gold, disseminated only avarice and degrading rapacity among the inhabitants of the Alps, removed their wonted simplicity, and made them familiar with the most abominable crimes: does it not now become an important duty to check the torrent of this destructive stream?— May the Lord frequently send among us such English travellers, as distribute, during their journeys, Bibles, Testaments, and other Religious Writings, among the people! Since 1814, we have had several such persons with us; and enjoyed the pleasure of their stay in Berne. France.-In France, the endeavours of enlightened Protestant clergymen and laymen, to counteract the principles of infidelity, and to set forth the Word of Life in plain and energetic language, not only from the pulpit but also by the press, have assumed a more regular and organized form. Subscriptions and donations, for printing a series of religious tracts, are collected in various parts of the kingdom: several able and benevolent persons are engaged in their composition, translation, and distribution; and although opposition is manifested in some quarters, they are favourably received in others. Editions of 5,000, 10,000, and even 20,000 copies, have been, and will be published; and instances are not wanting in which these silent, yet powerful monitors, have roused the careless, checked. the profane, arrested the bold sinner in his career of folly and vice, confounded the sceptic, confirmed the wavering, comforted the distressed, and established the humble believer in his most holy faith. Mediterranean.-At Malta, a small but active Committee have dispersed, in the course of one year, 6,668 Tracts, in Spanish, French, Greek, Italian, and English. From the Patriarchal Press at Constantinople have issued several translations of your Tracts in the modern Greek; and hopes are entertained that some will soon make their appearance in Turkish. China. An extract of a letter from the Rev. W. Milne, dated Macao, Jan 31, 1818, which is given in the Appendix, manifests the vigour with which the objects of the Society are pursued by the Missionaries in that quarter. Mr. Milne writes To the Tracts before mentioned we have added the following:A "Catechism for Youth," containing 165 questions, intended to give, in a plain and easy style, a summary view of the doctrines and duties of Christianity. It contains also a Preface, and two short Forms of Prayer at the close. A Tract on the "Vanity of Idols," (Psalm cxv.) which was written in Canton, during my stay there, in October last, and sent down to be printed at Malacca. An "Exposition of the Lord's Prayer." This is just finished; and will, I hope, be printed during the Spring. It is large, but it is divided into ten short sections, or lectures, seven of which were delivered by me, on Thursday evenings, at Malacca, to a few Chi nese. The "Morning and Evening Prayers of the Church of England," with the "Psalter," bound together; translated by Dr. Morrison, in the autumn of last year, and printed in a neat pocket size, at the expense of the Missionary Society. The number of Chinese tracts and pamphlets, large and small, composed, printed, and circulated by this Mission, since its commencement, is considerably more than THIRTY-SIX THOUSAND, and of above TWELVE DIFFERENT KINDS. The blocks of these (i. e. the stereotype wooden plates) all remain good; and will bear to throw off many thousands, without any repair. I wish it were in my power to inform you of the actual success of these publications-these, silent preachers of righteousness-in making the heathen wise unto salvation. Many things, of a different and contradictory nature, are said about them by the Chinese. Some neglect them: others praise them. Some despise them: others read them with attention, and apparent seriousness. The ideas of individuals, and particular conversations with them, might be related; and they would perhaps afford a degree of interest to pious persons: but my colleague and myself deem it better to lay but little stress on even good sayings, and to wait patiently for surer evidence of the influence of truth on the heart; rather than run the risk of exciting too high expectations in the mind of the christian public, or of drawing too large a share of christian liberality toward our own labours, to the neglect of others. We shall, very probably, have to transmit to you and other christian societies, for a long time, only dry statements of what has actually been translated, written, printed, circulated, and taught; or of what there is a probability of accomplishing. Our thoughts, time, and strength, are employed about furnishing the MEANS of christian knowledge to as large a proportion of the heathen as possible. We long to see success; but are not greatJy cast down if we see it not immediately. To plough and to sow are the labour of this age; to reap abundantly, that of future times. DOMESTIC TRANSACTIONS. New Publications.-A great number of new tracts have been offered, in the course of the year: of these, ten have been adopted. The series of children's books has been considerably increased: this series meets with increasing acceptance, and is recommended as supplying rewards for children. Additions have also been made to the hawkers' tracts and the broad sheets; the broad sheets have been found particularly useful, for affixing to the walls of cottages and manufactories, and for sale by hawkers: Bishop's-Stortford Auxiliary alone has circulated upward of 20,000 of them within the year. Printing of foreign tracts.-There is a remark on foreign tracts, which deserves notice by those institutions which print books for circulation abroad : There is a diminution in the number of foreign tracts, in the continental languages, issued from the depository during the last year: and the committee have not deemed it expedient to add more tracts to those already translated, for publication in this country; experience having proved, that tracts in foreign languages printed here, are generally less acceptable abroad, thần those, which, being printed in their respective countries, appear less foreign to their readers. This decrease is not a matter of any moment, as, upon the whole, there is a considerable increase in the foreign publications printed at the expense of the Society. Hints on the distribution of tracts.-In hospitals and prisons, they may alarm the profane, and comfort the contrite. At fairs, wakes, and revels, they have repressed thoughtlessness and vice. The cottages of the poor, as well as the habitations of the rich, have been supplied by them with profitable employment for the leisure hours of their inmates. Manufactories, schools, and ships offer extensive fields for benevolence. Hawkers' tracts.-Much has been done (the committee state) by the hawkers' tracts. By them, food is distributed instead of poison: and the wholesome effects are, in some degree, already apparent; and offer a gratifying proof to the Society, that their labours, by the divine blessing, have not been in vain. Your committee have much pleasure in reporting, that most of the venders of the tracts are now found to prefer those of a superior description; and that the religious nature of their contents is not that obstacle to their circulation which it was formerly. They would impress upon the friends of the Society the importance of introducing the circulation of these tracts, into every channel where tracts, of another nature, are vended by hawkers; and thus diffuse what will invigorate the faculties of the mind, instead of that which has a tendency to destroy both body and soul. DOMESTIC. AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS. Report of the Prudential Committee. Ceylon.* At the last anniversary, our hearts were afflicted with mournful anticipations, respecting two of the brethren of this mission. Those anticipations were but too sure. The Report then made, left Messrs. Warren and Richards, the last of February, 1818, at Columbo, where they had been for several weeks, retired from their labours, and in quest of health, dubious as to the issue. The Report next notices the kind attention shown the brethren while at Columbo, and the "various expedients" which" were proposed for their benefit" until the latter part of April, 1818, when they embarked for the Cape of Good Hope; and states, in respect to their voyage, arrival and reception at Cape Town by the Rev. Mr. Thom, that For the greater part of their voyage, as appears by a letter written by Mr. Richards, after their arrival at the Cape, the weather was very favourable; and the health of both the brethren, particularly of Mr. Warren, was so much recruited, as to afford hope of its being in a good measure restored. These propitious circumstances continued, until they came in sight of land, and expected to be in port at the Cape in about two days. Then the scene was changed. They encountered heavy gales,-were driven out to sea, and for a fortnight were tossed upon the waves in cold and boisterous weather. They landed at Simon's Bay in the forepart of July, and were conveyed thence to Cape Town, on the 14th of the same month. Both of them had taken severe cold, and their health was much depressed. They were received at Cape Town with distinguished kindness; and particularly in the Rev. George Thom, missionary there from the London Missionary Society, they found a friend and brother, who, by his assiduous attentions, conferred great obligations upon them and upon their patrons and friends. The Rev. Archdeacon Twistleton, of Columbo, says, in his letter of introduction to Mr. Thom, "The American Missionaries, Messrs. Richards and Warren, I recommend to your brotherly love. Men of more amiable manners and purer piety I never saw; to these qualities may be added others, amongst which are gratitude, discretion, and benevolence. May it please the Eternal God to restore them to health and renewed exertion in his service." Such a testimony from Archdeacon Twistleton, so well known to this board, and to the Christian community in this country, for his many acts of favour to our beloved missionaries and to the general cause of missions, cannot fail to excite gratitude to the adorable Fountain of all good. On the 11th of August, Mr. Warren rested from his labours and sufferings. pru The missionary course of this lamented servant of the Lord Jesus, short as it pleased Sovereign Goodness it should be, was marked with celestial radiance. His brethren, who were associated with him in the scenes of his toils and trials, bear united and most affectionate testimony to his eminent and uniform devotedness to the holy cause,―his ardent, yet benign and well directed zeal,-his alacrity and diligence in labours,-his patience and cheerful equanimity in sufferings,-his wisdom in counsel and dence in action, his kindness of disposition, his heavenly mindedness, and his general excellence of character. During his lengthened illness, his exemplary resignation, his sweet serenity of mind, and his heavenly conversation were in a high degree edifying, and inspiring. His last days and closing scene, as described by his afflicted friend and companion, Mr. Richards, in a letter, which will have a place in an appendix to this Report, -were such, as this board' and all the friends of the cause would wish those of every missionary to be:-marked with a lively and steadfast confidence in the Lord Jesus,-solaced with a sacred and cheering enjoyment of the divine presence and love, and brightened with visions, not fantastic, of the glories of immortality. His flesh rests in hope at no great distance from that of Mrs. Newell; his spirit, we cannot doubt, is with hers, and with those of the apostles and prophets, and all the multitude of the redeemed, before the throne of God and the Lamb.-To the Father of mercies, and God of all grace, everlasting thanks are due, for such examples of living and dying,-such seals to the missionary cause. The departure of Mr. Richard's from the Cape, on the 25th of November, 1818, for Madras, and his arrival there in much the same state of health,* several letters which he addressed to the Board while at the Cape, * Since this Report was made, information has been received that Mr. R. has arrived at the seat of the Mission in Ceylon PAN. |