tent to go on in a dull, formal, beaten track, he began, as soon as he arrived in a place, to consider how he might best improve the people in divine know ledge, Christian experience, and every part of practical godliness, as well as every point of Christian discipline and order. With those objects before him, he read, he studied, he prayed, he travelled, he laboured incessantly, never abating but when weakness or illness (generally brought on by his great exertions), interrupted him; and thus he continued till the Lord took him to his eternal rest. His last words were, with his hands clasped in his usual solemn manner, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! even so, Lord Jesus! Amen ;" and soon after, he breathed his last, without sigh or groan. He suffered great pains in his last illness, which he bore with great patience and confidence in God, frequently conversing, almost to the last, on the means of spreading the word and work of God. lic was a man of a strong understanding, and of a clear and sound judgment, especially in the word of God. His elocution was clear and manly, and all his exertions, in and out of the pulpit, were dir cred only to the glory of God in the salvation of men. He was affectionate and steady in his friendships, and sincere and steadfast in all his attachments: in a word, he was a man of God, fully furnished for every good work while on earth, and he is now with his Lord, enjoying him whom unseen he loved. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. FULLY persuaded that every communication respecting the extension of the work of God, in any part of the globe, is not only acceptable to you, but pleasing, I transmit, for insertion in your respectable Miscellany, the following extract from a letter written by a soldier now stationed at the Cape of Good Hope, and am, in the best of bonds, Chester, Dear Sir, your's &c. March 15, 1813. W. HILL. EXTRACT. "Cape Town, Nov. 8, 1812. "Dear Friend, "Though it is now many years since I had the pleasure of your acquaintance, I take the liberty of addressing you thus. The remembrance of the scenes that passed in our days of childhood, induces me to write to you in preference to any of my companions in your neighbour hood. The depraved conduct of those I had selected as associates for the last three or four years of my residence in Cheshire, causes me to fear, that my correspondence with them, could, in DO way, be rendered profitable. Since I left my native country, which is LOW more than seven years, I have seen no letters from home, except one which was written by my father to my captain, to know whether I was living or dead. The mother of a particular acquaintance of mine wrote in the same letter, dated Scpt. 20, 1807, concerning her son. It is now about five months since it pleased the Lord to call him hence in a very awful mauner. He was stationed several hun dreds of miles in the interior of the country; and coming to Saldanha Bay, to escort some waggons to the place where the Company lay; his guard, (consisting of three men besides himself,) was attacked by a number of Hottentots, as it afterwards appeared, and all were inhumanly butchered and cut to pieces. Some of their limbs were found scattered abroad, near the place where the murder was committed. Allow me now, dear Robert, to speak of myself, who, though undeserving, am a living monument of the mercy of God. You are acquainted with my behavidur during the last two or three years I resided in Ty. After I removed to Mr, I continued to live in the most irregular and abandoned way. And in Jan. 1803, 1 hired in the Militia, which, in April, was embodied. In 1805, 1 volunteered into the 83d Regiment of Foot, and on the 15th of May embarked at Spithead, to join the first battalion, thea on board. In a few days we sailed to the Cove of Cork, and from thence, on the 30th of August, proceeded on a then secret expedition. It proved to be the Cape, where we arrived on the 4th of January, 1806. We disembarked on the 6th and 7th, without opposition. On the 8th, we marched towards the chief ton n, fell in with the enemy, and defeated them; and, on the 10th, took possession of the place. The dangers 1 escaped at sea, and in the field, made no impression on my callous heart. I still lived in open rebellion against my Maker. But, 0! the mercy and long suffering of God ! he has given me to see my depravity and danger, and, for a considerable time, he has kept me from gross and presumptuous sins. I bless and praise God, he has begotten in me a desire to seek him, and I can truly say I have found him precious to my soul. Still I an weak, very weak, but to my God I call for strength, knowing he will help all those who put their trust in him. "The gospel has spread amazingly in this place during the two or three last years. Two large societies are formed here. One is composed of Calvinists, the other of Methodists. To the last of these, I am admitted a member. There is indeed a great number in our society here, considering the time: I believe we have near 70 in our regiment; as many in the 83d; a number in the 21st; and some in the Royal Artillery. We have eight preachers among us, viz. two in the 21st, one in the Artillery, one in the 93d, and four in our own regiment. In the 93d, and in our regiment, there are also class-leaders: so that we expect great good will be done, and many faithful followers added to the Church of Christ, Praying for your temporal and eternal welfare, I remain, your unworthy brother in Christ, THOMAS JONES." Capt. Hext's Company, 1st Battalion, 83d DEAR SIR, Dec. 30, 1912. In the name of the Methodist Society at the Cape of Good Hope, I request it may be laid before Dr. Cake, or whoever superintends at home, that a preacher may be sent to be stationed at the Cape, if he conceives that it is practicable, and that it will tend to the glory of God. You know, dear Sir, that our stay at the Cape may be short, and that therefore there is the more need of a prop for those who may be left behind. We are very weak and illiterate, and stand in need of every advice which we can receive from you our brethren. hope that the Society will take fresh courage, from knowing that there are those in their native country whose study it is to promote holiness in the hearts and lives of their fellow-creatures in a remote land, who are not privileged as highly as our brethren at home. I The whole Society express their warmest thanks to you, and offer prayers for you, hoping that we shall all, by continuing to the end, meet together in heaven. I am, Sir, your's, &c. J. KENDRICK. To the Editor. THE following Letter, inclosing several others, (extracts of which are subjoined,) 1 recently received from my much esteemed friend, Serjeant Miles, of the 11th Royal Veteran Battalion, now stationed at the Island of Anholt.Should you think the intelligence which these Letters contain,worthy of a place in your Miscellany, I have no doubt but that it will afford real pleasure to your numerous readers. I am, your's respectfully, Guernsey, April 23, 1913. Jos. Lisk. Anholt, April 5, 1813. DEAR SIR, 30th of March, with thankfulness for WE received your kind Letter on the your condescension. I can say I never you had been so often mentioned to read a letter with more affection. As those who never saw you, it was made a blessing to their souls, when I read it at our prayer meeting on Tuesday night. Lord is in the midst of us, and we have -Our prayer meetings are crowded: the many times of refreshing from his presence. Surely the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people in our behalf; and Several precious souls are seeking salva1 bless his name for what he is doing. Anholt. I hope he is about to do a great tion, and blessing God that they ever saw work here; and all our dear friends most earnestly desire you to unite with work he hath already wrought in Anholt. them in praising the Redeemer for the --Enclosed is a Letter we lately received from a Sailor, who, with several others, ber last. During the few days they rewas cast away on this island in Decemmained on the Island, Henry Smith attended our prayer meetings. The Lord was pleased to awaken his soul the first right: he saw his need of a Saviour, and cried for mercy. few days, and he wept bitterly at parting from us, but said in the most affecting manner, The day on which I was the best day I have ever seen." I have shipwrecked on the Island of Anholt was much more to communicate in my next. Hoping you will write the first opportunity, I remain your's in the Lord, The crew left us in a SAMUEL MILES His Majesty's Ship Couraque, Winga Sound, February 20. As the Schooner is preparing to go to Anholt, I find myself in duty bound to write a few lines, and hope they will find you in good health, both of soul and body. With respect to bodily health, I am well; but in regard to my soul, I can say but little, and boast less. soul indeed is sick; but I hope the Lord will enable me to apply the only remedy-the blood of Christ. At times, My have sweet consolation from the presence of the Lord; but at other times I have many dark, dejecting doubts and fears. If my soul be saved from hell, it will be a wonder to myself, and a glory to free grace alone; for I feel myself such and ever, that he brought me to know soul. In a second Letter, he writes as fol lows: "I sincerely hope and trust that I shall have to bless the Lord to all eternity, that I was ever cast away upon that precious Island; and never can I be grateful enough to you for having been the instrument of bringing my soul out of darkness into the light of the Lord.Tell Serjeant Miles what the Lord hath done for my soul, and beg of all the friends to pray for me." I am, in haste, Your dear friend in the Lord, To an Acquaintance in Anholt, he writes Winga Sound, March 30. DEAR FRIEND, WITH pleasure and satisfaction I received your's, and I am happy to hear that you and all friends are well. Thanks be to God, I am well in body, and, through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am well with respect to my soul. I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in impressing upon your mind that you have an immortal soul, that must live for ever, either in a state of happiness or misery.-Reflect for a moment---how could you bear to hear the Judge of all the world pronounce the awful, irreversible sentence, "Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity, into everlasting burnings, prepared for the devil and his angels!" Such must be the sentence pronounced on all that know not God, that have no interest in the atoning blood of Christ. Oh, my dear friend, may the Lord enable you to see the true state of your soul by nature and practice, that you may go, as I have done, weary of sin, and heavy laden HENRY SMITH. A Friend on board the same Ship, writes to the Veterans in Anholt, as follows:-- THOUGH unknown to you in the flesh, yet we trust that we can address you as brethren in Jesus Christ. O, what a mercy it is that the Lord, in his kind providence, should send our young friend Smith to that desolate island, in order to prepare him for eternal glory. There the Lord was pleased to shew him his dangerous state as a sinner; and I rejoice in having the pleasure to inform you, that he is relieved of his burden, through the precious blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, he has begun a good work among us. He has lately called three young men, on board this ship, to humble themselves before God, and to adore his sovereign grace. We all desire your prayers for us, and we hope that we shall not forget you. We have several that truly fear God among us; and though there are not many rich men called, yet, blessed be God, I trust we have one, and he desires most affection ately to be remembered to you all. I am, dear brethren, Your brother in Christ, JAMES LANE, Royal Marines. BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY. ON Wednesday, May the 5th, the British and Foreign Bible Society held their Anniversary Meeting at the Free Masons' Hall; the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth in the chair. It is supposed there were almost five thousand persons present. The Bishops of Salisbury and Cloyne; the Dukes of Sussex and Kent; Lord Gambier, Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Thornton, and several other distinguished friends of the Bible Society, were present on the memorable occasion. The Report of the Committee was read by Lord Teignmouth, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Dealtry. It abounds with informa tion of a highly gratifying nature to all who sincerely and heartily desire the universal spread of the Gospel; but as it is not yet published, we can do no more than give our readers a brief sketch of the principal parts of its very important contents, which ate, in substance, as follows: The Rev. C. T. Steinkopff, the Society's Foreign Secretary, was deputed in last Midsummer to visit, on the Con tinent of Europe, the different Societies in connexion with this Institution, and to procure such intelligence and take such measures in the name and behalf of the Committee, as, in his judgment, might appear substantially calculated to promote the accomplishment of its object. The result of his personal observation and inquiries, together with his continental correspondence in the course of a journey from Gottenburg to Copenhagen, and thence through Germany, will, we understand, appear in the Appendix to the Report. A Society, the name of which we have not been able to learn, was instituted in Denmark, in the first year of the present century. This Society, it appears, has materially contributed to promote the publication of the Icelandic New Testament. It has annually devoted a portion of its limited means to the gratuitous distribution of the Scriptures, and it continues, with unabating zeal, its exertions for promoting divine truth. the extensive sphere of usefulness open to this Society, induced Mr. Steinkopff to present it with a donation of £120, out of the sums confided to his discretion. The present was immediately applied to the purchase of Danish Bibles and Tes taments. The Icelandic edition of the New Testament has proved a benefaction of inestimable value to many of the natives of that country. A native of Iceland, and a Counsellor to his Danish Majesty, says, in one of his letters, "The Rectors of the parishes in which the New Testament was distributed, testify their warmest gratitude to their generous benefactors. They pray that the Almighty God may reward these great promoters of piety and virtue with his choicest bless ings, temporal and eternal." The venerable, learned and pious Bishop of Zealand, with whom Mr. Steinkopff has had frequent intercourse, has written a very interesting letter to the President of the British and Foreign Bible Society, conveying his " purest and most hearty thanks" to the members of it, for their kindness in supplying the Danish prisoners with copies of the New Testament in their native language, and for the impression and distribution of this part of the holy Scriptures. Mr. Steinkopff having deposited in the Royal Library of Copenhagen some of the publications of the British and Fo reign Bible Society, the librarians expressed their grateful acknowledgments, and one of them said, "We cannot but admire that generous and truly Christian spirit, which in the midst of war knows ne war." The Evangelical Society at Stockholm has distributed many thousands of Bibles and Testaments, and by its great and judicious exertions has excited a growing interest in favour of its object among all ranks and conditions of the people, It has a fair prospect of being able, in time, to furnish every cottage in Sweden with the holy Scriptures. For this purpose, the Committee have assisted that excellent institution with a further donation of £300, and have appropriated an equal sum for the supplying of the many thousands in Finland and elsewhere with the Scriptures in the Swedish language. In Finland, at the recommendation of the Committee, it appears that a Bible Society has been formed; and that the Bishop of Finland, in a letter addressed to the President, communicates "the cordial thanks of a grateful daughter for the liberality and generosity of her generous parent." His Majesty the Emperor of Russia has afforded further proof of his munificence, and of his disposition to promote the cultivation of religion, and the circulation of the holy Scriptures. A Bible Society has been established at St. Petersburgh, not only with the sanction, but by the formal authority, of his Majesty the Emperor of Russia. The plan and memorial for a Bible Society obtained the deliberate consideration of his Imperial Majesty and his Ministers, at the close of the last year, a time when their attention was necessarily and closely occupied with military and political ar rangements of the last importance to the interests of the empire. On the 14th of January the imperial ukase for the establishment of a Bible Society took place in Prince Galatin's house. The meeting convened for this purpose was composed of persons of the highest rank, and of all descriptions of Christians. Prince Galatin was elected President, and Vice-presidents and other Officers were nominated. The feelings of this meeting are well expressed in the following language of a correspondent :-- "It was truly delightful to see the unanimity which actuated this assembly, composed of the Russian Greek Church, Arminians, Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists, and all met for the express purpose of making the Gospel of the grace of God sound out from the shores of the Baltic to the Eastern Ocean, and from the Frozen Ocean to the Black Sea, and the borders of China, by putting into the hands of Christians and Mahomedans, Lamites and the votaries of Shaman, with many of the Heathen tribes, the Oracles of the living God. Here we had another proof of what the Bible can de, and the veneration which all Chris tians have for this blessed Book. We see that it is still capable of uniting Christians in the bond of peace. It is the standard lifted up by the Son of Jesse, around which all his followers rally in order to carry it in triumph over the whole Globe." The Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society has presented the Bible Society at Petersburgh with a donation of £500. At the close of kast March, the contributions had amounted to 60,000 rubles, including a donation of 25,000 from his Imperial Majesty, who desired to be a member of the Petersburgh Society, with an annual subscription of 10,000 rubles. The Committee have commenced their operations with great spirit and harmony, and they are diligently employed in taking measures for the formation of Branch Societies in the chief cities of the empire. The German Bible Society continues to prosper. By the assistance which they have received from the Parent Society, and from other quarters, they have published, in the course of six years, 12,000 copies of the German Bible, 3000 French Bibles, 4000 French Testaments, 4000 Romanese, (2000 in each dialect,) and 3000 in Italian. Under the sanction of the two Protes tant Consistories at Paris, a Stereotype edition of the French New Testament is proceeding. In February, it appears that the work was advanced as far as the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Bibles and Testaments circulated in France by the Basle Committee, have been accepted by Catholics and Protestants with eager ness and pleasure. With a view to encourage this active and useful Society, Mr. Steinkopff presented to it £300 for printing the Romanese Old Testament, and £200 for the gratuitous distribution of German Bibles and Testaments among the poor; and the further sum of £200 in aid of a new edition of 10,000 Bibles of a portable size. To these sums the Parent Society has since added the grant of £500 for the exclusive purpose of promoting the distribution of the Scriptures in France. Notwithstanding the calamities to which the inhabitants of Prussia have been subjected, the Berlin Society, instituted in 1805, has printed 3000 Bohemian Bibles, 8000 Polish Bibles, 4000 Polish New Testaments, and has made great progress in printing a new large edition of the Bohemian Bible. To this Society the Committee have granted the sum of £250. It appears that the Polish Scriptures are eagerly sought after; but few, ainong those who are most anxious to obtain them, have the means of purchasing a copy. To supply as many of the Poles as possible with the word of life, 500 Polish Bibles, and 1000 Testaments, are ordered to be bound, and forwarded to Koningsberg for gratuitous distribution among the most necessitous. The promise of £500, in the event of the formation of a Bible Society in Hamburg, to aid the printing and continued circulation of the Scriptures in the Hungarian language, enabled the friends of the undertaking in that country to forward it with an activity which has been crowned with success. The Roman Catholic Bible Society at Ratisbon, has distributed 27,000 copies of the New Testament in German. It was formed in 1806. In the course of a few years, it was supposed that 60,000 copies of the holy Scriptures have been circulated among the Roman Catholics in Germany. Two pious and learned Catholic clergymen, assisted by several Protestant Divines, have translated the New Testament into German. Two eminent Protestant Clergymen in Saxony and Switzerland, have approved and recommended this version. At the pressing solicitation of one of those Roman Catholic translators, Mr. Steinkopff was induced to contribute £200 for the distribution of 3000 copies of this Testament among the poor. This graut was, however, accompanied by a condition, which was readily acceded to; namely, that the few notes in the former edition should be cancelled in the impression promoted by the donation in question. Mr. Steinkopff presented £250 to the Zurich Bible Committee, £200 to that at Wirtemberg, and £50 to each of several Committees of a similar description, which were either forming or actually formed. He also presented small sums to several respectable Clergymen in Sweden, to enable them to distribute the Scriptures among their parishioners. At Ceylon, it appears that a Bible Society has been recently established; and his Excellency the Governor is the President of this Institution, and all the members of his Majesty's Council in the Island are Vice-presidents, and most of the servants of the Crown are subscribers to its funds. To the personal exertions of the Honourable Sir A. Johnstone, Chief Justice of the Island, the formation of the Society there, is avowedly attributed. A spirit of friendly, co-operation pervades the Bible Societies both at home and abroad, and the zeal and activity in extending the circulating the holy Scrip tures, and in promoting new associations for this purpose, are continued with increasing energy, and they have produced the most beneficial effects. After we shall have received a copy of |