inhabitants, who were Roman Catholics. Neff, however, succeeded in removing these objections. The female collectors continued their solicitations with assiduity and success; others also joined them; and many, whose means were scarcely adequate to their own support, cheerfully contributed their mite towards the good cause. Even the children engaged in it with ardour, and a number of them, under an anonymous signature, furnished a considerable sum. By these combined efforts the requisite funds were raised, and the new society began to assume a flourishing aspect. Distributors were appointed, who lent tracts to all who were willing to receive them, which, after a certain period, were replaced by others. The committee were also anxious to give these silent messengers of the truth as large a circulation as possible, by selling them at very low prices. In a short time, by these means, the most important religious truths were disseminated in every hamlet, and found an easy entrance into almost every cottage; till, at length, the Tract Depository at Mens was recognized as the religious circulating library, not only of the town, but also of the whole adjacent district.

TRACT DISTRIBUTOR'S HYMN.

By Mrs. Sigourney.

PHILOSOPHY of old

Her ponderous tomes displayed,
And summon'd minds of mighty mould
To tread her classic shade:

Her mysteries to explore,

In vain the unletter'd tried;

The rich, the noble, learned her lore,
And drank her cup of pride.

But Mercy's light-winged page,

Swift messenger of love,

Comes to the home of lowly age,

To guide his thoughts above.

The way-side beggar hears
Its ministry divine;

And little children dry their tears,

To trace its radiant line.

On, on, ye faithful band,

Your priceless bounty shed;

With single heart and tireless hand
The joyful tidings spread.
"The Lord our righteousness,"

Still on your banner write;
Nor stay your toil until he bless

The world with saving light.

Extracts of Correspondence.

FOREIGN.-CHINA.

Upon the subject of CHINA, now becoming increasingly interesting to the christian public, the committee of the Religious Tract Society would recal to the recollection of their friends, that the first grant of their institution for tracts in the Chinese language was made in the year 1815, and that successive grants, to an amount in the whole of about £3000, have been applied to this important object. The openings for usefulness are now largely increasing, and the committee apply for additional aid to this interesting object, which, as the following letter shows, is now beginning to attract the notice of their brethren in the west.

From Rev. Dr. Morrison to the American Tract Society. Feb. 5, 1833.

YOU ask particularly whether it be a fact that those speaking different dialects read one language? It is the fact. The same Chinese book is read by all the various inhabitants of the numerous provinces of this vast empire, although in some instances their speech is wholly unintelligible to each other. And, as I have stated elsewhere, not only in China, but also in Corea, Japan, Loochoo, and Cochinchina, the same Chinese book is intelligible. I myself, as well as my late brother, Dr. Milne, have verified this fact by actual experiment.

You ask next, why it is so, that men speaking different dialects in China, read the same language? One remark will enable you to answer this question. How is it that all the nations of Europe and America, English, French, Spanish, Italian, &c. &c. whose languages are so different, can read the Arabic figures? The figures retain the same form and the same value to the eye, however differently pronounced.

You ask again if it be the fact that Budhism has been introduced into China by the press? The fact is this, that from the beginning there have been missionaries and priests of Budhism, but they have never preached; they have only translated and written books. The ethics of Confucius have been propagated in a similar way. The school and the press are the only means. It has not been the usage to have public lectures, or preachings.

The five Chinese-language nations which I have enumerated above, contain probably much more than one-third of the population of the globe. They have long known the use of letters, have possessed a literature, and have used the press for at least seven hundred years. But their literature is either idolatrous, or atheistical, or profligate. The reader of grave compositions can learn little but either irreligion or gross super

stition; and the reader of light literature can learn little but folly or licentiousness. The first great requisite for the regeneration of China, humanly speaking, is a large increase of Christian Chinese students, in order to form good writers to create an instructive and religious literature for China. And the next requisite is cheap moveable Chinese types. How far your society will be able to co-operate, directly, I cannot say, in supplying these requisites; but I sincerely hope that the members of it will devise liberal things concerning China.

May God our Saviour direct to the use of such means as he will own and bless; and may God the Holy Ghost breathe upon this valley full of dry bones, that they may live!

From the Chinese Evangelist, Leang-a-fa, to the Committee of the Religious Tract Society, in London.

I AM grateful to our heavenly Father for his great grace for disposing the hearts of the believers of the Tract Society to love the Saviour and his gospel in so great a degree, as to unite with one heart, and even leap for joy, to assist in printing a thousand copies of the admonitory tract called "Good Words;" which tract has been distributed to many men, and may cause them hereafter, by the influences of the Holy Spirit, to obey and honour the Most High, and love the Saviour's gospel, and act agreeably thereto. This result will emanate from the great efforts of the believers belonging to the Tract Society.

Last year, after printing a thousand copies of the above tract, I distributed them every month, till five hundred and more, were expended. When distributing them, I first spoke a little of the purport of the gospel, and then gave away one or two copies; or, perhaps, spoke a little of the mysteries of the gospel, and then gave three or four copies. Sometimes I gave ten or more copies to friends, to distribute to others. All who received these tracts, did so with joy. Some, after receiving them, inquired who it was that gave them. I replied, "Those who respect and believe the gospel, and adore the most high Lord, delight to assist in printing and distributing these little books."

This year, about the close of the eighth moon, I had remaining four hundred and odd copies, when the literary examinations of all the districts of Kwang-chow-foo commenced, among the graduates called Sew-tsae. At such times the Too-keaou, or followers of Confucius, give away the sacred books of the goddess Kiran-yin, and her father, Koau-wang, also the ethics called Wan-chang Yin-chih wan, to the students, to exhort them to goodness of heart. I and two believers, Achang and Asin, availed ourselves of this opportunity to distribute among them christian tracts; and,

in a few days we distributed upwards of four hundred sets of the nine tracts called "Good Words." It was to be regretted that we had not several thousand sets. If we had possessed that number, it would have been easy to have distributed them among the literati on this occasion.

The students all receive them with joy, and give thanks for them. There were also a great many trading people who asked for the tracts, and I gave to all. After they had received them, and looked them over, I walked the streets, to listen to what the people said about them. Some said they were extraordinary books; and others said there was a great deal that was very good in them. Thus the seed of the word has entered the hearts of a great many persons; we can only persevere in prayer to our Father in heaven, that he will look down in compassion, and send the Holy Spirit to convert their hearts, causing the word to bring forth fruits to their happiness.

Having distributed all the thousand copies (or sets) of the nine tracts-i. e. nine thousand tracts-I write especially this letter to inform you, Mr. Jones, and request you to communicate the fact to the believers of the Tract Society. If they will again exercise an ardent love to the Saviour, that his gospel may run in a free course, beg them to grant with delight further assistance to print tracts, that I may distribute them. Let us all exert ourselves to the utmost in gratitude to the supreme Lord, who, in mercy and love, of his great grace, saves our souls.

There are now upwards of ten disciples belonging to the church in my house, who obey and believe the Saviour's gospel, and delight to adhere to his precepts. There are two of fervent hearts, who love the Saviour, Achang and Asin, who always assist me in going every where to distribute tracts. All of us at present are thankful to our heavenly Father for looking down, and preserving us in peace and tranquillity of mind. I hope this is the time in which our heavenly Father will grant the gospel to be spread for the salvation of the world; but I am not certain. I only desire the Chinese may now receive the Holy Spirit's influences to convert them, and induce them to cast away their idols and obey the gospel, adoring and serving the supreme Lord alone. This also is the desire of all the believers in your honoured land, who love the Saviour, and their neighbour as themselves.

All the friends in the church in my house salute you, and wish you prosperity and peace. I also salute all the believers belonging to the Tract Society, and wish them prosperity and peace. For this special purpose this letter is presented on the right hand of the honoured chair of the secretary.

CHRIST AMONG THE GERGESENES.

THERE cannot be any misery incident unto us, of which our gracious Redeemer is not both conscious and sensible. Without any entreaty of the miserable demoniac, or suit of any friend, the God of spirits takes pity of his distress, and commands the evil spirit to come out of the man, Mark v. Wondrous precedent of mercy, going before our requests, exceeding our thoughts, forcing favours on our impotence, doing that for us which we should and yet cannot desire! If men, on our earnest solicitations, would give us their best aid, it were a just praise of their bounty; but it well became thee, O God of mercy, to go without force, to give without suit. And do we think thy goodness is impaired by thy glory? If thou wert thus commiserative on earth, art thou less so in heaven? How dost thou now take notice of all our complaints, of all our infirmities! How does SEPTEMBER, 1834.

K