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men who were solicited to take part in the examination, embraced a very wide range, turning upon ancient history, sacred and profane, down to the age of Augustus, mathematical and physical geography, the practical parts of political economy, the first book of Euclid's Elements of Geometry, the Evidences and leading doctrines of Christianity, and on points of general knowledge, more or less connected with these several branches-and we really feel puzzled to say, on which of these departments of study they acquitted themselves to the greatest advantage. They seemed to be completely at home in them all; and, indeed, had such a well-grounded confidence in their acquirements, that instead of shrinking from a searching and minute examination, they were evidently eager to be subjected to it. The complete command which they had of the knowledge that had been imparted to them; the readiness, precision, and almost unfailing accuracy with which their answers were returned; and the acuteness, ardour, and general intelligence which they displayed, called forth universal admiration, and produced an impression which cannot fail, we think, to operate powerfully in favor of the great cause of native education. The hour at which it was deemed proper to close the examination arrived before they had been even partially examined on all the subjects which they professed; and we are quite sure that, if it had been continued for other four hours, they would have furnished still more striking displays of their knowledge and ability, and would have confirmed the highly favourable opinion which has been expressed.

Three of the advanced pupils read English essays on subjects selected by themselves, which were listened to with great attention by the audience. These were declared to be bonâ-fide their own productions-of this, indeed, they presented the strongest internal evidence-and evinced a very credita ble acquaintance with the rules of grammar and the principles of composition. We confess, however, that these were not the points about them which most forcibly arrested our attention. We were especially delighted with the wonderful superiority which their respective authors shewed to the prejudices of early education,-with the manner in which they referred to certain grand principles as being too firmly established to admit of being called in question-with the high tone of moral feeling with which they brought out their peculiar views-and with the manly, unshackled, and independent style of thinking in which they indulged.

Before the distribution of the prizes, the Rev. Mr. Charles, of St. Andrew's Church, delivered a short address to the boys, in which he commended them very highly for the progress which they had made, and pronounced a well-merited eulogium on their teachers, Messrs. Duff and Mackay. The seminary under their charge has acquired a higher reputation than, so far as we know, has ever been possessed by any school for the native youths of India which has been conducted upon Christian principles, and, in fact, is coming more and more to be regarded as a model-school; and we merely express an opinion which will be re-echoed by men of all parties and all shades of sentiment in our community, when we say, that it is mainly indebted for the pre-eminent place which it holds to their high talents and acquirements, their indefatigable ardour, their rare tact in communicating knowledge, and the Christian fidelity with which they discharge the important trust that has been committed to them.

3.-CALCUTTA BETHEL SOCIETY.

The Report of the above Society was read in the Circular Road Chapel, on Thursday Evening, October 4th, after a sermon preached on the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Lacroix. The operations of this Society are so simple that the labors of a year can be told in a few words. Service on board the Seamen's Floating Chapel has been conducted every Lord's day, and tracts

have been distributed to the Seamen frequenting the vessel. A considerable sum was expended in repairing the vessel, but by the liberality of the Captains and Officers of Ships visiting the port, it was nearly all paid. A balance of about 200 Rupees only stood against the Society. It was stated that some hopes were entertained that a Minister from the American Seamen's Friend Society would come to Calcutta, to devote his time entirely to the spiritual interests of the Seamen, both Native and European. It is a lamentable fact that though there are at Calcutta near 10,000 Native Seamen and boatmen, and at Balee, Chinsurah, Colna, and Cutwa, above Calcutta, and at Oolabariah, below, about as many more, yet no effort has ever been made to lead them to a knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord. Whilst the benevolent exertions of Christians have been directed to almost every other class of men, these have been left to perish for lack of knowledge, no man caring for their souls. We shall therefore rejoice to see a Missionary in Calcutta, who will consider it his principal duty to attend to their spiritual wants.

4.-MONGHYR.

Our readers are perhaps aware, that on the 26th September, the night of the earthquake, Mrs. Chamberlain, the widow of the late Rev. J. Chamberlain, expired. She did so under circumstances peculiarly afflicting to her friends. The dreadful shocks which followed in quick succession having cracked the walls of the house in which Mr. and Mrs. Leslie with Mrs. Chamberlain resided, the former were obliged to leave the house, and in her dying moments to remove Mrs. C. to the open air, where after a few hours she expired. She was a most amiable, devoted woman, and with her valued friend and companion, Mrs. Webberly, was of great use in superintending female schools, overlooking the female converts, &c. Both are now, we doubt not, united in blessedness as well as friendship.

On the 4th October, there was experienced another shock of an earthquake at Monghyr, after which Mr. Leslie's residence was deemed, by a committee of survey, so unsafe, as to render residence in it quite dangerous. It will therefore be immediately taken down. The house of the Rev. Mr. Moore and of others at the station has been also much injured.

5.-ORISSA.

The friends of the General Baptist Mission in this district will be gratified to hear, that the Rev. A. Sutton, with Mrs. S. and the orphan child whom they adopted, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Wade, and the children of Dr. Price and Mr. Bennett, arrived safely at Boston, U. S. A. in the early part of May. The voyage was short, and with exception of a gale off the Isle of France, very agreeable. Mr. Sutton's health was much benefitted by the voyage. We are happy to find that a letter on Missionary subjects, which Mr. S. addressed some time ago to the Freewill Baptists in the United States, had led the denomination generally to a desire to aid in efforts for the evangelization of the world. Liberal subscriptions had already been raised, and several young men had offered their services as Missionaries, before Mr. S's. arrival ; and he now indulged the hope, that if spared to return, he should do so with several coadjutors in the great work. It is unnecessary for us to say, that with a field so vast as Hindoostan, and so few from Europe to occupy it, we shall heartily welcome evangelical Missionaries of any denomination, whom zeal for the divine glory and compassion to the souls of men may lead to unite in this glorious work.

The friends of Missions will be gratified to hear, that a very respectable man, well acquainted with the Sanscrit, Teloogo, and Ooriya languages, was last month baptized at Cuttack, and that hopes are entertained of the piety of some other candidates.

6.-PROGRESS OF RELIGION AND LITERATURE IN THE UNITED STATES. It gives us great delight to perceive the progress of piety and benevolent feeling among all denominations of Christians in the United States of America. The noble efforts now making to supply theological education to candidates for the ministry, and to furnish the newly populated western states belonging to the Union, with Ministers, Sunday Schools, Bibles, and Tracts, must command our admiration, while the gigantic exertions which American Christians are making to spread the Gospel in foreign climes ought to shame British and Anglo-Indian Christians for their criminal apathy and neglect.

We observe it noticed in one of the last American publications, that the Baptists, in New England only, had during the last year contributed and funded no less than one hundred thousand dollars for the theological education of students for the ministry-while the American Tract Society have devoted 10,000 dollars to the printing of Tracts in foreign countries; and the Bible Society, having in part redeemed their pledge to supply the Scriptures to every family in the United States, contemplate the noble task of giving it, in co-operation with English Societies, to every family in the globe able to understand and willing to receive it.

The desire to spread the Gospel in foreign climes seems greatly on the increase among all denominations. The American Board of Foreign Missions, composed chiefly of Presbyterians and Congregationalists, have determined to send forth 50 labourers within the year; and we have this last month had the pleasure to welcome to Calcutta the Rev. Messrs. Lourie and Reed, with their wives, appointed to commence a new Mission in Hindoostan. These labourers are sent out by the Western Foreign Missionary Societya new Institution, raising supplies chiefly from the Presbyterian denomination. It has already sent out Missionaries to Africa, and including the Brethren whose arrival we have announced, has determined to send out 12 Missionaries this year.

The Episcopalians (especially those who are called the Evangelical party) are participating in the holy influence which seems to be pervading the American Church. In addition to efforts now in progress to supply with Clergymen destitute Churches in the middle, Southern, and Western States, they have one Mission of considerable interest in Greece, and one or two Mission families among the North-western Indians. The Methodists are also making vigorous exertions to raise funds for the promotion of learning among their Ministers, and are also beginning to turn their attention to the foreign field. They have recently sent one or two Missionaries to Liberia, on the Western Coast of Africa, while their Missions among the Indians have been much blessed. Their peculiarly efficient system and their great numbers induce large expectations, concerning the part they will sustain in the conversion of the world.

The following extract from a letter from a Gentlemen at Philadelphia, distinguished at once for the sobriety of his views and the activity of his labours, will be read with interest by our readers. It is dated May 25th, 1833.

"From circumstances, which it is unnecessary to detail, I am fully persuaded that the cause of Missions is gaining ground in the American Church every hour; and I widely mistake the signs of the times if in ten years from this time she does not count A THOUSAND of her sons and daughters abroad in the earth in the Great Master's business. I find the command-" Go ye into all the world," &c. is pressing with unwonted power upon the hearts of many young men in humble life; and I see too among those who have the strongest attractions and the most flattering prospects at home, a disposition to forsake all and spread the glad tidings of peace and salvation through the earth. I hope too that our children will soon be generally trained in the spirit of active benevolence, and that we shall find in a little while, that our whole people are tendering their sympathies to the wretched and lost in heathen lands."

SIAM AND CHINA.

JOURNAL OF A RESIDENCE IN SIAM, AND OF A VOYAGE ALONG THE COAST OF CHINA TO MANTCHOU TARTARY, BY THE REV. CHARLES GUtzlaff.

The following extracts from the Rev. Mr. Gutzlaff's interesting Journal, continued from p. 409 of our work, complete the account of his progress to Teen-tsin, the sea-port of Peking, the capital of China.

ON the following day favourable winds continued till we reached the channel of Formosa (or Tae-wan). This island has flourished greatly since it has been in the possession of the Chinese, who go thither, generally, from Tung-an in Fuhkeen, as colonists, and who gain a livelihood by trade and the cultivation of rice, sugar, and camphor. Formosa has several deep and spacious harbours, but all the entrances are extremely shallow. The trade is carried on in small junks belonging to Amoy; they go to all the western ports of the island, and either return loaded with rice, or go up to the north of China with sugar. The rapidity with which this island has been colonised, and the advantages it affords for the colonists to throw off their allegiance, have induced the Chinese government to adopt restrictive measures; and no person can now emigrate without a permit. The colonists are wealthy, and unruly; and hence there are numerous revolts, which are repressed with great difficulty, because the leaders, withdrawing to the mountains, stand out against the government to the very uttermost. In no part of China are executions so frequent as they are here; and in no place do they produce a less salutary influence. The literati are very successful; and people in Fuhkeen sometimes send their sons to Formosa to obtain literary degrees.

Northerly winds, with a high sea, are very frequent in the channel of Formosa. When we had reached Ting-hae, in the department of Fuh-chow-foo, the wind, becoming more and more adverse, compelled us to change our course; and fearing that stormy weather would overtake us, we came to anchor near the island of Ma-oh (or Ma-aou), on which the goddess Ma-tsoo-po is said to have lived. Here we were detained some time. The houses on the coast, are well built; the people seemed poor, but honest; Their country is very and are principally employed in fishing, and in rearing gourds.

rocky.

A few miles in the interior are the tea hills, where thousands of people find employment. The city of Fuh-chow-foo, the residence of the governor of Fuhkeen and Che. keang, is large and well built. Small vessels can enter the river; the harbour of Tinghae is deep, and very spacious. We saw there numerous junks laden with salt, also some fishing craft.

When we were preparing to leave the harbour, another gale came on, and forced us to anchor; but instead of choosing an excellent anchorage which was near to us, a station was selected in the neighbourhood of rocks, where our lives were placed in great danger. The next day the storm increased and the gale became a tornado, which threatened to whelm us in the foaming billows. The junk was exposed to the united fury of the winds and waves, and we expected every moment that she would be dashed in pieces. The rain soon began to descend in torrents, and every part of the vessel was thoroughly drenched.

For several days Egyptian darkness hung over us with composure I could look up to God our Saviour, could rejoice in his promises, and was fully confident, that he would neither leave nor forsake us. I was almost the only person who ventured on deck; for it is customary with the Chinese, in bad weather, to take shelter and repose At the present juncture, they were dispelling in the cabins, till the tempest is over. their cares by sleeping and opium-smoking. Notwithstanding all this, they formed a plot, principally on account of the riches which they supposed me to possess, to sink the junk, to seize on the money, and then to flee in a small boat to the neighbouring shore. Having gained some information of their designs, I left my cabin and walked near them with wonted cheerfulness. The ringleaders seeing this, and observing the approach of a Canton junk at the same time, desisted from their treacherous scheme. It was most evident that these heroes in wickedness were cowards; they trembled, and their courage failed them, in the hour of approaching death. For ten days we were in suspense between life and death; when, at length, God in his mercy sent again his sun to shine, and clothed the firmament with brightness. I could now feel with Noah, and render praise to God our great benefactor. While I was thus engaged, some of our fellow-passengers went on shore; unconscious of the object of their visit, I was rather puzzled when I saw them returning in their state dress: but soon suspected, (what was true,) that they had been to the temple of Ma-tsoo-po, to render homage to their pro

tectress. At such an act of defiance, after such a signal deliverance, I was highly indignant, and rebuked them sharply. One of them held his peace; the other acknowledged his guilt, and promised, in future, to be more thankful to the Supreme Ruler of all things. He remarked, that it was only a pilgrimage to the birth-place of the goddess, and that he had only thrice prostrated himself before her image. I told him, that on account of such conduct he had great reason to fear the wrath of God would overtake him; when he heard that, he kept a solemn silence.

The temple of Ma-tsoo-po is not very splendid, though it has been built at a great expense. The priests are numerous, and well maintained, the number of pilgrims being very great. When we were about to sail, a priest came on board with some candlesticks and incense, which, being sacred to the goddess, had power, it was supposed, to secure the vessel against imminent dangers. He held up in his hand a biography of the goddess, and was eloquent in trying to persuade the people to make large offerings. The priest belonging to our junk replied to him, "We are already sanctified, and need no additional goodness;-go to others who are wanting in devotion." I improved this opportunity to remark on the sinfulness of paying homage to their goddess; and reminded them how, during the storm, the idol shook and would have fallen into the sea, if they had not caught it with their own hands. The priest, anxious to maintain his grouud, said, "Ah! she was angry." I replied, " She is weak-away with an image that cannot protect itself-cast it into the sea, and let us see if it has power to rescue itself."

The people from the tea plantations, who came on board our junk, were civil, and characterized by a simplicity of manner which was very commendable. I conversed much with them; asked them many questions; and was pleased with the propriety and correctness of their answers.

Before we left Namoh, our captain, the owner of the junk, attracted by the pleasures of domestic life, had charged his uncle with the management of the vessel and left us. This new captain was an elderly man, who had read a great deal, could write with readiness, and was quite conversant with the character of Europeans. These good qualities, however, were clouded by his ignorance of navigation, and by his habitual roguishness. His younger brother, a proud man and without experience, was a mere drone. He had a bad cough, and was covered with the itch; and being my mess-mate, he was exceedingly annoying, and often spoiled our best meals. Our daily food was rather sparing, it consisted principally of rice and of salted and dried vegetables. When any thing extra was obtained, it was seized so greedily, that my gleanings were scanty indeed; yet I trusted in the Lord, who sweetened the most meagre meals, and made me cheerful and happy under every privation.

A large party was, at one time, formed against me, who disapproved of my proceedings as a missionary. My Books, they said, were not wanted at Teen-tsin; there were priests enough already, and they had long ago made every needful provision for the people. And as for medical aid, there were hundreds of doctors, who, rather than allow me to do it, would gladly take charge of the poor and the sick. Moreover, they

all expressed their fears that I should become a prey to rogues,-who are very numerous throughout China. But when I told them that I proceeded as the servant of Shangte (the Supreme Ruler), and did not fear the wrath of man in a good cause, they held their peace. By a reference to the immorality of their lives, I could easily silence all their objections;-"If you are really under the influence of the transforming laws of the celestial empire, as you all affirm, why do those rules prove so weak a restraint on your vicious practices, whilst the Gospel of Christ preserves its votaries from wickedness and crime?" They replied, "We are indeed sinners, and are lost irremediably.”"But," I inquired, "have you never read the books I gave you, which assure us that Jesus died for the world?"-"Yes, we have; but we find that they contain much which does not accord with the truth." To show them that they were wrong, I took one of the books of Scripture and went through it, sentence by sentence, showing them that the Gospel was not only profitable for this life, but also for the life to come. This procedure put them to shame; and from that time they ceased to offer their objections, and admitted the correctness of the principles of the Gospel and their happy tendency on the human heart.

As soon as we had come in sight of the Chu-san (or Chou-shan) islands, which are in lat. 29° 22' N., we were again becalmed. The sailors, anxious to proceed, collected among themselves some gilt paper, and formed it into the shape of a junk; and, after marching awhile in procession to the peal of the gong, launched the paper-junk into the sea, but obtained no change of weather in consequence of this superstitious rite; the calm still continued, and was even more oppressive than before.

The city of (Chu-san or Chou-shan), situated in lat. 30° 26' N., has fallen into decay, since it has ceased to be visited by European vessels; its harbour, however, is the

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