part of China, and the Chinese Provinces in Japan, among the Manchu and Moghul Tartars; from the Eastern Ocean, as far as the Wolga; and thence back, by the Cashmerian Hills, to Thibet. The Jairs, at the present day, occupy no country peculiarly their own, but are found chiefly in Gujerat and the South of India. Those who favour the pretensions of the Buddhists, affirm that we find indubitable historical proofs of the existence of their religion, and of their Priests, the Samanai, in very early ages;-that, from the remains of great works evidently referable to their sect existing in the whole extent of country, at present enjoyed by the followers of the Brahminical Religion, from Banian to Ceylon and Java, and thence back to Cashmere, we are justified in concluding that the Buddhists inhabited that extensive region long before the era of regular history; that the total absence of every living remnant of the Buddhist Religion throughout India is the best proof of the early period at which the expulsion or conquest took place;-that these arguments are supported by the acknowledged fact, that the Brahmins derive their origin from the North, and do not regard themselves as the Aborigines of India;-that the war of Ram against Rawun, of the Good Spirits against the Demons, of the North of India against Ceylon and the South, was, probably, one of those holy wars, the conflict of Brahminism and Buddhism ;-that mild and tolerant as the Brahmins in our time are, or affect to be, the sanguinary destruction of the Jairs in the South of India is a proof to what extent they may, under the influence of their religion, indulge the most inhuman passions. Mr. Colebrooke remarks, that the accounts of the earliest Greek Authors indicate the Brahminical as the prevalent religion. These accounts, however, while they prove the existence of Brahminism in India, contradict the existence of Buddhism in the same country only by inference they leave untouched the opinion, that both religions flourished at the same time, as friendly, or at least not hostile sects. There is one fact, however," says Mr. Erskine," which seems to me most strongly to intimate the inferior antiquity of the Buddhists. In their sacred books, we find the birth of Gaudama, the present Buddhu, carefully recorded as having occurred about 540 years before Christ. It is true, that the 46 theory of the Buddhist Religion does not rest upon a single Buddhu; and that many are supposed to have appeared at different times, for various purposes, and to accomplish various objects. But I know no evidence of the existence of any sect prior to that of Gaudama; and we probably may not much err, if we take that period as the origin of the religion." The arguments for the superior antiquity of the Jairs very much resemble those in favour of the pretensions of the Buddhists; that several Jair Principalities remained to a late time unsubdued in the South of India; and that in that quarter, the Brahmins, even at this day, are regarded as strangers and intruders. The Brahmins pretend that the other two sects are only heretical schisms from their old and primitive religion, and urge the visible antiquity of the Hindoo Institutions; that the arts, the philosophy, the Vedas (sacred books) of the Brahmins all bear traces of their very distant origin. The date of the destruction of the Buddhist Religion in India is not known. The destruction of the Jairs in the Deccan is ascribed to Shunkur Acharya, who is honoured as an Avatara (Incarnation) of Siva. He is supposed to have lived nine hundred or a thousand years ago. It is not improbable that the religious wars gradually extended all over India, and with nearly the same effects. There is a strong family resemblance among these three sects, in their leading tenets and the fancies of their philosophy. They all teach the Metempsychosis-that there is a soul in every animal, and in every system and minuter part of Nature; and that there are classes of Demons and other Spirits, who exercise dominion in earth and air. They agree in the nature of their geography, in much of their astronomy, and, in general, in the wild and unsubstantial nature of their tenets. In all matters of theology and science they have evidently borrowed deeply from the same sources, or from each other. The compromising, or rather the engrossing character of Brahminism is shewn by the Brahmins of Nassuck holding Yatras in the caves, and paying homage to the Idols of Buddhism. [Rev. C. P. Farrar. General Views on the Results of Missionary Labours. March 19, 1831-It was truly delightful to witness the simplicity, attention, and earnestness, of many of the villagers, who, for the first time in their lives, heard the words of truth and soberness. It was a pleasure, though of a different character, to distribute the Gospel of Reconciliation to those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and knew not that they were wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. We have diffused much general knowledge of Christianity; and we trust that it will be as leaven gradually leavening the mass of Heathenism. The knowledge which we have been the means of diffusing will not be confined to the villages in our route, but will spread abroad, through a large extent of country. We can tell of no conversions-we did not expect to do so; we can speak of no immediate return for our labours; yet we are satisfied of their utility, of their necessity, and of the ultimate benefit to be derived from them. We are a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death: and, whatever be the issue with respect to men, the name of God is glorified when His glorious Gospel is revealed to His creatures. We fully admit the advantages of a locality for every Mission, and for every Missionary, in which he is to go forward with his daily ministrations: but, admitting this, we feel that it is an imperative duty on every Missionary to be a messenger of peace to those who are afar off, as well as to those who are near, until the land is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and all the people have heard of Him, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. [Rev. C. P. Farrar, LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Directors give the following Summary View of Mission at Berhampore. Berhampore is about 120 miles north of Calcutta, in the vicinity of the city of Moorshedabad, which extends nearly eight miles along the Cossimbazar River. The Mission at Berhampore was commenced in 1824. It has been computed that a circle of two miles in diameter drawn around the Mission Station would embrace a population of about 20,000 Natives, chiefly composed of Hindoos and Mahomedans. The attachment of the Hindoos of this province to the superstitions of their ancestors is found to be far greater than that of those who inhabit the southern parts of Bengal; and, accordingly, they have manifested a corresponding aversion to accept the offers, or to admit the claims, of the Gospel. The Native Schools at this Stationwhich have fluctuated, as to the number of these establishments, between four and eight; and, as to the aggregate number of scholars, including both sexes, between 100 and 300-have been carried on, notwithstanding the most formidable obstacles and the most unremitted opposition. The suspicious character of the Natives, which is peculiarly conspicuous here, has been combined with an almost inflexible obstinacy, in perseveringly resisting or counteracting the benevolent efforts of the Missionary. It has been affirmed, and, we have reason to believe, with truth, that not less labour has been expended, merely to keep the Schools at this Station in existence, than would have served, at some other Stations, to bring similar institutions to a high state of respectability, both as to number and attainment. It must not, however, be supposed that all the indigenous inhabitants manifest equal repugnance to the efforts made by the Missionary to establish and carry forward Native Schools. The Publications of our own Society announce that a respectable Hindoo, some years ago, made a Donation of 500 Rupees toward the support of its Mission Schools at Berhampore. The still more important labours connected with the Preaching of the Gospel, or other modes of dispensing its message, by addresses in public places of resort, or in conversation with individuals, have been prosecuted with zeal, fidelity, and perseverance. These labours have been performed daily, both in Bengalee and Hindoostanee; and not without effect. A few from among the Hindoos and Mahomedans have afforded evidence of genuine conversion to God, and have been admitted into Church Communion; and a regular Congregation, composed chiefly of Natives, assemble for Divine Worship every Sabbath Morning. Many thousands of Christian Tracts are annually dispersed among the Natives in the vicinity, and on Missionary Tours, especially on occasion of great public festivals; which are, to a considerable extent, read by the people and dreaded by the Brahmins. The Preaching of the Gospel to Europeans at this Station has been attended with considerable success: many have given practical evidence of their having received the Truth in sincerity. A commodious Chapel was built in 1828 for the use of the Mission; the 1831.] NORTH-AMERICAN STATES. expense of which has, to a considerable amount, been defrayed jointly by the English residents at the place, and by the Bengal Auxiliary Society. The Chapel measures 50 feet by 35; but it is sometimes found too small to accommodate the European Congregation, which assembles therein for Divine Worship on Sabbath Evenings. The faith and patience of the Missionary at this Station have been long and severely tried; and, from the last accounts which have reached us, it appears, that, with regard to the Schools, at least, his trials are not likely soon to abate. The force of superstition and prejudice has been, indeed, remarkably displayed by the people at this Station; but we must not allow ourselves to doubt that it will, at length, be subdued by the Gospel of Christ and the power of His Spirit. North-American States. BIBLE SOCIETY. Summary of the Fifteenth Year. Auxiliaries: increased from 713 to 757 -Receipts: 125,316 Dollars; of which, 50,142 were for Sales of the Scriptures, 2716 from Legacies, and the rest Contributions ·Books printed: 270,000 Books issued: 242,185; of which,171,972 were entire Bibles, being an increase in that class of Issues of 41,618 copies: an unusual proportion of the Issues have gone into destitute families, living in reAgents: mote parts of the country wholly or partially employed, 19. stated - It is It will be recollected, that in May, 1829, the Society resolved to attempt the supply of every destitute family in the United States with a Bible in two years from that time. Owing to delay on the part of Auxiliaries and Friends, and also to the unusual severity of the past winter, the object has not been entirely effected. What has been done, may be seen from the following Summary: "In thirteen of the States and Territories, namely, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Mississippi, and Michigan Territory, the supply has already been nearly or quite completed. "In eight other States, namely, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Louisiana, the work has been, as near as can be determined, about two-thirds completed. "In Indiana and Illinois about one-half of the work is done; and in Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, and Florida Territories, something less than one half. This calculation may not be exact, though it cannot differ essentially from actual facts." TRACT SOCIETY. Receipts: 42,922 Dollars; of which 1784 were Contributions, and the rest from Sales-Tracts printed and circulated: Appeal to American Youth," 76,000; Disappointed Hope," 76,000; portance of Consideration,' 66 'Im80,000; 'Worth of a Dollar," 81,000; "Quench not the Spirit," 92,000; "Putnam and the Wolf," 92,000; "Worth of the Soul," 96,000; Joseph Archer,' 96,000; "Persuasive to Public Worship," 100,000; "Hope of Future Repentance," 112,000; and on the subject of Temperance, 516,000: Total, 1,417,000— Gratuitous Distribution: 2,965,208 pages for the Army, Navy, Benevolent Institutions, Auxiliaries, Individuals, and Foreign Countries; 1,766,600 for the districts west and south of the Alleghany Mountains; and 921,023 in Foreign Languages; making a Total of 5,652,831 New Publications: 70, all of pages which have been stereotyped, and form a total of 568: four of the New Tracts were obtained by premiums offered by benevolent Individuals, and awarded by Committees of their own selection. The subject of six of them is Intemperance. Four contain a vindication of the truths of Evangelical Religion against the corruptions of the Church of Rome. Seven are Authentic Narratives. The Committee having ascertained that two of their Tracts are not authentic, have resolved to cease their publication, and substitute others. Among the facts, for the proof of which the Committee refer to the Report, are these:— That 10,000,000 of the population of our country remain yet to be supplied with the Monthly Distribution: That about 10,000 Dollars annually are needed for Pagan Lands: That a blessing without a parallel has, during the year, descended upon the Society's Publications, in rendering them the means of conversion and sanctification to multitudes of souls: That with all these overwhelming incitements to effort, the Society has but five Agents labouring among the 13,000,000 of our population. BOARD OF MISSIONS. Summary of the Twenty-first Year. New Auxiliaries, 4-New Associations, 31 Receipts: 83,019 Dollars — Expenditure: 84,797 Dollars · Publications: Missionary Herald, 14,000; Annual Report, 2500; Annual Sermon and Missionary Papers, 19,500: Publications for the Missions, 215,040 copies, containing 8,633,100 pages. Summary View of the Society. Members: Elected, 66; of whom 28 are Laymen: Corresponding Members, 21: Honorary Members, by payment, 606; by office, 18-Average Receipts and Expenditure: for the First Five Years, Dollars 9646 and 6166; for the Second Five Years, 30,929 and 34,078; for the Third, 53,080 and 53,417; for the Fourth, 88,383 and 89,490-Auxiliaries and Associations: 78 Auxiliaries include 1634 Associations - Missionary Stations, 50Labourers sent from America: of 85 Missionaries, 13 have died, and 59 are still in the field; with 175 Assistants, consisting of 45 Men and 35 unmarried and 95 married Women of the 85 Missionaries, 11 were sent to the Mediterranean, 23 to Southern and Eastern Asia, 18 to South America and the South Seas, and 33 to the Indians of North AmericaNative Members of the Church: in Ceylon, 118; at the Sandwich Islands, 180; North-American Indians, 872: Total, 1170; being an increase of 391 in the year- Scholars: at Bombay, 1600; in Ceylon, 3588; at the Sandwich Islands, 41,283; among the North-American Indians, 1087: Total, 47,558; but not less than 70,000 either now belong to the Schools or have enjoyed the benefit of instruction-The Printing Presses of the Board have issued 36,936,900 pages: of which, 10,600,000 were printed at Malta, from July 1822 to 1830; 10,000,000 at Bombay, from April 1817 to 1830; 15,113,000 at the Sandwich Islands, from 1820 to 1830; and 1,223,900 for the American Indians. The copies of different Works issued have not been less than 900,000: there have been printed in ELEVEN different languages, three of which had been reduced to writing by Missionaries of the Board, and the several Works were almost all composed or translated by persons connected with the Board. EDUCATION SOCIETY. Summary of the Fifteenth Year. Receipts: 40,450 Dollars; of which 11,460 were earned by 384 StudentsExpenditure: 41,544 Dollars-Young Men aided by the Society, 604; being 157 in 10 Theological Seminaries, 274 in 21 Colleges, 166 in 59 Academies, and 7 under Private Instruction of these Students, there have been aided in NewEngland 411 at 47 Places of Education, and 193 at such places in other parts of the United States: the native residence of 369 is in New-England, that of 205 in other parts of the United States, and that of 30 has not been reported. SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. Summary of the Seventh Year. Receipts: 77,701 Dollars-Expenditure: 77,454 Dollars-Schools added: 490Teachers added: 2843-Scholars added : 40,006-New Publications: between 30 and 40. Summary View of the Society. Schools in Union: 7244-Teachers: 64,315-Scholars: 451,075. Recent Miscellaneous Intelligence. Church Miss. Soc.-The Rev. J. R. T. Lieder, whose arrival at Malta from Egypt we noticed p. 424, landed at Dover from Calais on the 3d of December-A Volume, of nearly, 400 pages, has just appeared, entitled Researches in Greece and the Levant, by the Rev. John Hartley, M. A. late Missionary in the Mediterranean. The "Christian Researches" of Mr. Jowett, though extended to Greece, were directed more largely to other parts of the Mediterranean. Mr. Hartley's Volume furnishes many interesting details on the Calamities of Turkey, on the Religion and Moral Character of the Modern Greeks, on the Exertions of various Christian Bodies in their behalf, and on the State of the Jews in those parts. Much of this matter has appeared in our Volumes, but it is here given more in detail: at the end are added-Mr. Hartley's Visit to the Apocalyptic Churches, printed at pp. 286-300, 321-328 of our Volume for 1827; and his Journey in the Morea, printed at pp. 222-239 of our last Human-Sacrifice Abolition Soc.-Some account of this Society, formed at Coventry, is given at pp. 146-148 of our Volume for 1829. The Society seeks to attain its object, which has especial reference to India, by the circulation of Publications: in its Second Year, 397 copies were distributed in quarters where they were most likely to be effective. The Secretary, the Rev. James Peggs, has circulated about 700 copies of his Volume entitled "India's Cries." The expense of these efforts has been chiefly defrayed by benevolent friends. Jews' Society At a Special Meeting of the Committee, held on the 5th of November, Four Missionaries were dismissed to their labours-the Rev. W. Ayerst, who had formerly occupied the station at Dantzic, now appointed to Breslau; Mr. H. Lawrence, returning to his former station at Warsaw; and .1831.] RECENT MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. Mr. West and Mr. Bellson, of the Missionary terdam. London Miss. Soc.- Mrs. Thompson, from Quilon, arrived at Gravesend on the 6th of November, on a visit home on account of Impaired health The Rev. James Scott, with Mrs. Scott, sailed from Gravesend for Demerara, on the 8th of November, in the Albinia, Captain Purvis. United Brethren-Br. and Sr. W. C. Genth, and the Single Brethren Bonatz and Schopman, sailed from London, on the 15th of September, for the Cape of Good Hope, in the Jordeson, Captain Jordeson. Idolatry-Tax in India-At a Quarterly Court of East-India Proprietors, held on the 28th of September, Mr.Poynder inquired, in reference to the Motion made by him (see p. 429 of our last Volume) twelve months before, whether any Instructions had gone out to India relative to the Idolatry Tax, the then Chairman, Mr. Astell, having stated that the subject had been under the consideration of the Directors. The Chairman replying that he was not aware that any Instructions had been sent out on the subject, Mr. Rigby expressed his surprise at this statement; as he had been led to expect, from what passed on the occasion referred to, that measures would be taken, in unison with the feelings of that Court and the unanimous sentiment of the country, to put an end to the practice complained of: he would rather that his dividends should sink to the bottom of the ocean, than that they should be discharged from so disgraceful, he would say so impious a source as this. Boyle's "Western Africa"-James Boyle, Esq., Surgeon in the Royal Navy, has published an Octavo Volume of upward of 400 pages, under the title of "A Practical Medico-Historical Account of the Western Coast of Africa." The greater part of the materials of this Volume was acquired in the course of Mr. Boyle's professional labours as Colonial Surgeon to Sierra Leone, from 1827 to the present time. This is the first Work which has appeared specifically destined to an investigation of the Causes and Cure of the Diseases of Western Africa; a well-known Work by Dr. Winterbottom on this Coast treating, as Mr. Boyle remarks, "more particularly of the History, Habits, and Manners of the different Tribes of Natives in the neighbourhood of Sierra Leone, than of the Diseases which have hitherto proved one of the greatest barriers against the civilization of this portion of the world." Mr. Boyle's Volume is full of instructive details; and cannot fail, with the blessing of God, to diminish that apprehension with which Western Africa has been viewed, by leading to a more intelligent system both of avoiding and of treating its peculiar maladies. His object is thus stated in the Preface: To embody such Medical Knowledge as has been attained regarding the Western Coast of Africa, its climate and its diseases, has been the great object aimed at; and, to accomplish that design, a Medico-Topographical Account of the Coast and Settlements has been given, together with a description of the Seasons and their Effects; 551 and also a practical account of the Diseases, their known symptoms, treatment, and general consequences. CONTINENT. United Brethren-The Widow Sisters Jung and Weber, late of the Mission in the Danish West-Indies, have retired from service and so have Br. and Sr. Kmoch, after a long period of faithful toil in Labrador; Br. Kmoch for 34 years, and his Wife for 19 - Br. and Sr. Valentine Mueller, of Lichtenau, in Greenland, arrived at Copenhagen on the 13th of September, on a visit home, after a stormy passage of nearly five weeks-Br. and Sr. W. Treu embarked at Amsterdam, on the 1st of October, for Paramaribo, in the service of the Surinam Mission. WESTERN AFRICA. The Rev. J. G. Wilhelm, under date of August 14, 1831, states This day the melancholy news is spread over Freetown, that Mr. Thomas Davey is drowned; his boat having upset. MEDITERRANEAN. Church Miss. Soc.- The Rev. J. A. Jetter, in a Letter from Boujah, of the 17th of October, draws a melancholy picture of the Ravages of the Cholera Morbus in Smyrna :— It is now about a fortnight since we heard of the first cases of Cholera, among the Jews at Smyrna: the disease increased daily, spreading among the Greeks and Arme. nians, and also among the Franks. Among the Franks, cases of death have hitherto been few, compared with those of other people. The richer part of the Jewish Population left Smyrna more than ten days ago; and took with them the only Doctor whom they had, into the country. The poor, therefore, were abandoned to die, without any one to come to their relief. On this, a Committee was formed among the Europeans; which now supplies medical aid and medicines, so far as circumstances permit. Our Missionary Brother, Mr. Lewis, as the Jews' Missionary, takes an active part in this work of mercy. I am told, that, all night long, nothing is heard in the streets of Smyrna but crying and lamentation-people running to find Physicians. The people are generally attacked in the night. I have been, for the last fortnight,' almost daily engaged in visiting the sick and administering medicines. The season was, on the whole, sickly; for we have had sickness around us ever since we came here: first the Plague; then intermittent fevers; and now, be. sides the Cholera, bilious fevers, from the fright which this dreadful disease has caused among the people. I am ont from morning till noon, with a little basket in my hand, giving medicines to the poor suffering people; and, latterly, my whole time has been taken up in attending on the sick. I have had already four cases of Cholera here; one proved fatal, in which I was called too late; but the rest, through God's grace, are doing well. Thanks be to God! notwithstanding all the fatigue I have to undergo, I am very well. Indeed, in the midst of danger, we are graciously preserved! I see, already, at least one good result from my affording medical aid to the people; which is, that they gain confidence in me, which will, by-and-bye, enable me to speak a word to their immortal soule. Also, a kind and grateful feeling is produced among them. The other day, having cured the son of a Priest, he sent me some eggs and a couple of fowls. Others, who have it not in their power to express their gratitude in this manner, wish me happiness and blessings: but often I am grieved to hear them say, "The Virgin Mary bless you!" The other day I witnessed a very grievous spectacle-a person dying of the Cholera, who was shut up in a lower room by herself, had no other consolation administered to her but a picture of the Virgin Mary placed close to her with a candle! I did all that I could to save her; but I was informed of her case too late. American Jews' Suc.- On the 6th of July, the first Missionary of the Society, the Rev. |