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Other Societies.

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

WESTERN AFRICA.

From the annual report of this mission, closing with the year 1840, we make the following

extracts.

Openings for 100 missionaries.

That part of the coast adjoining to this, and commonly denominated the Ivory Coast, commencing within twenty miles of Cape Palmas and extending to the distance of four hundred miles, embraces an immense population. The number of inhabitants along this part of the coast, inclusive of such as would be rendered accessible to the missionary by means of the various rivers which intersect it, would probably exceed one million. This part of the coast is healthful and has never at any time, except to a very limited degree, been disturbed by the slave trade; and the consequence is that the people, as a general thing, are comparatively harmless and inoffensive in their intercourse with white men, are enterprising and industrious, compared with other parts of Africa, while the whole of the country is immensely populous. The towns bordering on this part of the coast are some of the most populous on the seashore of Western Africa; and if we may judge of the industry, enterprise and wealth of the inhabitants by the amount of their exports in ivory, gold-dust, and palmoil, there is no part of the coast which excels them in these particulars. And of this country, so interesting in itself and so inviting to missionary enterprise, it may be said, we believe with the utmost truth, that its soil has never yet been trod by the foot even of one solitary missionary.

The vast and powerful kingdoms of Central Africa are about to be laid open to missionary enterprise under circumstances of a peculiarly interesting character. We know of no feature in the age in which we live, more cheering to the hearts of the people of God, and likely to be productive of more solid and lasting good to the miserable inhabitants of Africa, than the fact, that one of the greatest christian nations on earth, should, at this moment, be engaged in laying open the heart of Africa, heretofore almost entirely closed up, and inviting the heralds of the cross to co-operate with her in disseminating education, civilization, and religion among her benighted inhabitants. If the event is not hailed with the

most enthusiastic gratitude on the part of the christian church, then we have altogether overrated her spirit and enterprise. If we have not misunderstood the nature of the enterprise proposed by the philanthropists of Great Britain, the design is not only to render the country accessible to the missionary, but, at the same time, to extend to him all the facilities and protection which will be needed, especially at the outset, for the prosecution of his undertaking.

The field thus to be laid open will afford ample scope for the uninterrupted and most extended efforts to every missionary association in existence. We are aware of measures already commenced by three different missionary associations to occupy some part of this vast and interesting country.

The field has hardly any assignable limits. We could, upon our own knowledge of the of a most interesting character for at least country, scanty as it is, designate locations one hundred missionaries, almost the whole remain as it has for centuries past, a scene of which must we fear for many a long day of desolation and moral ruin. Diversified and magnificent as are the various schemes which have already been, and which are soon to be put in operation for the redemption of Africa, we seriously fear that millions of the present and the following generations must perish in their superstition and heathenism.

Dangers of the climate overrated.

We are aware that many of our brethren in America are restrained from coming to Africa from a dread of its pestilential climate. We have only a summary remark to make on this point. We believe that the dangers of the climate to foreigners is greatly exaggerated in the minds of many, and that many who are prevented from coming here by this feeling, would, were they here only a few months, regard the matter in a new light, and would find, as a general thing, they would be able, with the blessing of God, to perform as much labor, and do as much good, perhaps, as in any other part of the world. No difficulty has been experienced in Great Britain in procuring white men to man four steam-boats destined, during the year, to explore the Niger; and cannot two or three missionaries be induced to follow them to examine the country for themselves? Merchants can locate themselves upon almost any part of the coast for the purpose of accumulating riches; will not the missionary take his

place by the side of the merchant for the purpose of communicating to the inhabitants the infinitely greater riches of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

The opinion is entertained in some parts of America that northern men are not constitutionally suited to the country, and this opinion probably originated in Africa. But experience, so far as it goes, shows that such is not the case, and that northern men become acclimated as soon, and with as little danger, as those from the more southern sections of the country.

We conclude this report by expressing the ardent and prayerful hope that the time is not far distant when our hearts will be cheered by large accessions to our present number, and that many, very many benighted Africans will be made to rejoice at the glad tidings which they shall hear.Missionary Herald.

BOMBAY.

The following account of a heathen benevolent institution, is from the journal of Mr. Allen, missionary to the Mahrattas. Let the reader contrast this with the benign influence of Christianity, and learn to set a higher value upon the blessings of the gospel. The account is contained in the August number of the Missionary Herald, and in reference to it the editor remarks, "It has been said that paganism never erected a hospital. This is not quite true. Here we have the results of its forth-putting in that direction, described by an eye-witness."

A new institution-Heathen benevolence.

August 17. To-day, as I was passing near a native institution called the Pinjera pole, I went into the enclosure for a few minutes. This institution, if such it can be called, was commenced some years ago by a rich native merchant of the Jaina religion. He expended a large sum of money, (report says more than $100,000) in purchasing the ground and erecting the buildings, which are to be permanently devoted to the objects of the institution.

The Jainas are heretics in the opinion of all Hindoos who follow the brahminical system. They are numerous in Bombay, and some of them are very wealthy. They are mostly from Guzrat and other northwestern parts of India, and they seldom understand the Mahratta language. They never eat flesh of any kind, and it is contrary to their principles to destroy animal life for any purpose whatever. They regard the preservation of the lives of animals as meritorious, and it was for this purpose that this institution was established, and is supported. Here horses, which have be

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come useless from age or any other cause, are received and supplied with whatever they need as long as they live. The number thus supported varies from fifty to a hundred. Oxen and cows are also supported. The number now here is 175. government, to prevent the increase of dogs which have no owners, give a small reward for any that may be killed in the streets for a short time twice a year. The proprietors and patrons of this establishment, to prevent dogs from being killed, give a small reward for all that are brought here, and they are kept and fed in a building and yard expressly appropriated for this use. The number now here exceeds 200. There are also cats, monkeys, and various kinds of animals and reptiles, all well supported. It is a rule of the institution to receive every kind of animal that is brought here. I inquired what was the general expense of the establishment, and was told that the present expenses are 3,000 rupees per month, or 100 rupees per day. A rupee is nearly half a dollar, so the yearly expense is more than $16,000, all for the preservation of useless animals, and in a city where thousands of human beings are suffering for want of the necessaries of life. Nor is this all. The people who give their money so liberally for this institution do it in the deluded opinion that they are performing a work of merit, a work which will secure for them future happiness. Such is the religion of some of the most intelligent, wealthy and enterprising natives of Bombay. How much do such people need the gospel, and how great is the change which it is designed to produce!

SOUTHERN INDIA.

Mr. Lawrence, writing from the station at Dindigul, province of Mysore, thus describes

A ceremonious visit.

The great gooroo or priest from Mysore sent his message this morning, expressing a wish to call upon us. He came after one or two hours, mounted on an elephant, seated in a howdah, which was covered with silver, as he would have it, probably a kind of tin foil, and a large umbrella over his head, himself a short, thick-set, ordinary-looking person, having a cap sitting close to his head, inwrought with gold, and adorned with beads, or perhaps precious stones, and topped with a golden bulb. This elephant was preceded by an English fife and two or three drums, and followed by another elephant, on which were two huge native drums and as many persons making sad discord. The throng attracted by such a pageant, was quite numerous.

When the gooroo dismounted, the elephant settled back so as to bring his dignified freight some two or three feet nearer the ground, and then his ear, shoulder, and knee formed the ladder of descent. The priest then came into the room with a broad metal plate of fruit, and three or four lotus flowers (a large species of the waterlily, but of a beautiful pink color,) after presenting which he took a chair. Some time was consumed to very little purpose, unless it be of importance to talk much of the favor of great men, and thus show one's own importance. I called in the children as soon as I could, and allowed them to repeat some of their lessons, and he heard the account of the creation, the story of Adam and Eve, and the like, for a few minutes. He was slipping through his fingers nearly all the time, a string of the sacred beads, one by one, and muttering over to himself his orisons. The beads were beautifully trimmed with silver. When I inquired into the advantages of such unceasing ceremony, he gave me to understand it was an act of piety, and he seemed to wish I would not notice it. I said some of his own people had declared the vanity of such acts, and quoted the verse, "How many incantations in vain have I uttered and finished. Again, how many," etc. which evidently made him uneasy. I gave him some of my views of the duty of a priest or teacher, and signified that in my opinion it would be the greater charity for him to go back to the king of Mysore, (from whose territory and under whose patronage he roams,) and establish schools, introduce such books as those from which the children had been reciting, etc.; but as that would be a work, and not a display, it did not strike him favorably. When I spake of salvation by Christ Jesus, and him alone, he replied, "Christians too worship images," and stretching out both arms as far as he could, pointed with his fingers to the centre of the hands where our Savior's were pierced, and said, "Such is their worship at Pondicherry;" and reclining his head, as if through languor and fainting, he gave a most melancholy caricature of what may be supposed to have been the agonized appearance of the Lord of Glory, when he hung bleeding and dying upon the cross. I said that christianity required an entire renunciation of all idolatry, and that persons who could make an idolatrous display of the scenes of Calvary could not even be called Christians. He spent perhaps an hour and took leave, going off with the jargon of good music spoiled by the great tomtoms, and leaving behind his herald, to speak of the gifts that great men had made

him. I gave him a copy of the Psalms of David, assuring him it was one of the best of all gifts. After this herald had gone out, he summoned resolution enough to send back a request by another for wine or brandy for a sick elephant." But as both the elephants had been to see me, and had just left in good spirits, I declined, and the man went off.-Ibid.

SYRIA AND THE HOLY LAND.

From the general letter of the Mission, dated Beyroot, 24th April, 1841, we copy the following paragraph relating to

New stations-Bethlehem-Jerusalem.

Another inviting field to which our attention has been called is Bethlehem. The brethren at Jerusalem, and indeed all of us are persuaded that the time has come when something ought to be done for the inhaitants of that ancient town, the birthplace of David and of David's Son and Lord. And we have unanimously recommended that one of the missionaries at Jerusalem fix his residence there, though not with a view of making it an independent station. Apart from the reasons stated in another place, in favor of Bethlehem as a place of resort during the summer heats, it is proper to state here that the village contains a population of about three thousand souls, almost all of whom are Christians of the Greek and Latin churches. The Bethlehemites are a bold, enterprising, hardy set of men, who, if brought under the power of the gospel, would be likely to bear persecution with a fearless spirit; and as they are acquainted with the people in all parts of the mountains of Jerusalem and Hebron, they may become very efficient helpers in the missionary work. A mile or two west of Bethlehem is Beit Jalah, another christian village, nearly as large; and a third village, whose inhabitants are also Christians, lies within half an hour's walk on the east. These three villages contain together a population about as large as the christian population of Jerusalem; and they are so situated that a missionary living at Bethlehem could easily and frequently visit the other two places, with very little loss of time. With many of the people of these villages the brethren have long been acquainted. They are very friendly; some of them often attend our service at Jerusa lem; they receive and read our books; and have many times earnestly requested that schools might be opened in their villages. And schools in each of the three places could be established and easily and efficiently superintended by a missionary residing in Bethlehem. Moreover, the Bethle

hemites are exceedingly desirous to have- | appearance of an out-break of opposition one of our missionaries reside among them. here every now and then, but the Lord And there is reason to believe that a con- restrains the enemy, and our friends were gregation could be immediately gathered, never so bold and determined as at present. larger than that which exists at Jerusalem. Writing from Jerusalem 11th of May, Mr Whiting mentions that the political affairs of the country were unquiet. The

Turkish rulers were oppressive and ineffi- Presbyterian Board of For. Missions. cient, and not likely to carry on the government successfully for a long time.

SMYRNA.

Mr. Temple writes June 19th,-There are many most encouraging evidences in this part of Turkey that the Lord has actually begun his good work in the conversion of a considerable number of precious souls among the Armenians. I have seen and heard more within the last year, indicating the actual presence of the blessed Spirit of Grace, than in the nineteen preceding years of my sojourn in this part of the world. The work of the Lord is begun. I trust it will go on with power.

On the 17th June, Messrs. Smith, Homes, and Peabody, with their wives, arrived at Smyrna, and as the steamer for Beyroot was ready, Mr. and Mrs. Smith embarked the next day for that place. All were in good health.

CONSTANTINOPLE.

Mr Dwight writes 15th June

We are on the eve of great events here. There is now, among the Armenians especially, not only a prevalent spirit of inquiry after the truth, but also a thirsting for deliverance from the shackles of past generations. A mighty battle will soon be fought between the enemies and friends of light and liberty of conscience.

The indications of a thorough reformation among the Armenians are as promising as ever. Lately we have heard of thirtyfive individuals of this nation, in a village beyond Nicomedia, who have become enlightened, and are studying the Scripture as their only guide. This work was commenced through the reading of some of our books, which Mr. Hamlin and myself sent there from Nicomedia last year by the hands of a man who called upon us from that village, and who has become, we hope, a renewed man. His influence there has been important. He comes frequently to Constantinople on business, being a merchant, and while here he attends my meetings, and has always much intercourse with us; and then he goes back to his village and relates the wonderful things he has seen and heard. Mr Hamlin's school, which was disbanded, is now filling up. There is an

ALLAHABAD.

Notices of the Mela or Fair.

noted festival is from the pen of Rev. J. Wilson. The following spirited description of this The prayaga, at the confluence of the Jumma with the river Ganges, is considered one of the holiest places for bathing and other acts of wor ship, among the Hindus, and attracts immense crowds of pilgrims annually.

the multitude still sounding in my ears, I Just out of the dust, and with the din of sit down to give you an account of the mela which is now current and drawing to a close here. The present being a year of no especial note, I think the crowd was not quite so numerous as last year. The only means of judging was this, the multitude this immense plain. Last year the crowd seemed to move with rather more ease over was so dense that one could scarcely go in any direction except as the crowd moved "en masse." This year it seemed more practicable for each to go where he wished, without moving with the torrent. But there are no data available by which to approximate the probable number. It were about as easy to count the individuals in a thousand "swarms of bees" all mingled together.

The different sects of Nágas and Nánák Sháhis, &c. were not here this year. They are moving in their six year circuits, and consequently visit some other place this year. The common Gosains, Jogis, Bramachárís, &c. were here in their full measure. A few of them sought notoriety, one by standing on the back of his neck and his elbows, with his feet upwards, his legs twined around each other in a grotesque form.

Another stood on his head and his elbows, with his feet projecting straight upwards at full length. From his inverted position, his bowels had fallen down into his chest, which was considerably projected, and his waist as small as the picture of Death in the Primers. A third, the most revolting sight of all, had, by force of practice, taught his knee joints to project backwards, like the hinder legs of a dog or a horse. He walked all fours," without putting himself in the attitude of a man. He was naked, except a string and

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a very small shred of cloth around his waist. | sion of such a place, often induces a lassiHis body was smeared with manure and tude, which only they who come and try ashes, his hair clotted with the same, and can realize. the "Tilluk," or mark of various colored paints, in his forehead, the badge of his caste. Thus he went stalking about through the immense crowd, like an animal that belonged to no order of creation.

Scores of pandits or religious teachers, as usual, had their wooden platforms erected near the spot where the people bathed. Each sat on his platform and read from some of their sacred books, and expounded as his fancy or hope of gain led him. Those who wished to hear them ranged themselves around their respective stands in the sand, and heard as long as they had inclination, then paid their pice and cowries, and moved off, leaving their place for others. The numbers inclined to hear the pandits, and thus pay for it, seemed generally small.

Missionary labors.

Our preaching was more unmolested and attended with less of interruption than I have ever seen on such an occasion. The | Pragwals and Pandits seem, by one consent, to have left us unmolested this year. Formerly their interruptions and opposition have been exceedingly annoying and deleterious in their influence. There were not wanting those who were anxious to interrupt us, and turn the drift of our preaching into a wild and profitless discussion on some of the tenets of their philosophy. Often persons in the crowd were anxious to press such questions as these, "Where is God?" "Can you show us his form ?" "Is he possessed of attributes, or without attributes?" and many such questions which are daily, and sometimes fiercely disputed among them. By a little care, by sometimes quoting Paul's directions to Timothy, second Epistle, ii. 23, and other such passages of Scripture, or by assuring them that we have not leisure for such discussions, having more important work on hand, and by requesting them to be still, and not prevent their neighbors from hearing, &c., they have generally waived their claims to be heard, and have either heard in silence, or passed out of the crowd. Indeed, many times when some one wished to interrupt an address, three or four of his neighbors at once would check him, and insist on his hearing in silence, at least on his letting them hear.

Encouragement.

We, Christian Pandits, according to our custom, took our stand back at a distance from the bustle, and noise, and confusion near the junction of the waters. We occupied two positions, in each of which we had a platform erected, about two and a half feet high. Some of the missionary brethren from neighboring stations came to help us during the throng of the mela. Here were, during the most crowded part of the mela, four of us and four native brethren, eight in all. We occupied the two platforms from about 8 A. M. to 3 or half past 3 P. M. During which time we kept up a nearly constant succession of addresses; as the strength of one became ex- You will naturally ask what are the aphausted, he sat down and another took his parent fruits of all this preaching? The place. The fatigue of speaking in the open seed sown at this mela is carried far into air, in the midst of din, and confusion, and the jungle or wilderness, where some of it sand, under a burning sun, is very great. will be snatched away by the "wicked one," The moving of the immense crowds keeps some will be choked by the cares of the the air all the time full of sand, especially world, and some, I have no doubt, will when there is any wind. And the light vegetate and bring forth fruit when we and glare of the sun, (we had a thin cov- shall rest "beneath the sod." A case of ering or canopy of cloth over us) was such this kind came to our notice. A man from that often, as I read a chapter in the Bible, beyond Hosungabad, more than 400 miles from which to make remarks, the color of off in Central India, sat silently and heard the letters seemed changed from black to us for four days in succession, about two red, the broad, deep letters of the Nágarí hours each day. On the fourth day he, in seemed all traced in blood. At first it was a solemn manner, asked several pertinent solemn to see the "word of God," as I questions; after they were answered, he stood reading it in such a crowd, gradually said, "There is one difficulty yet. As to becoming red, so as to seem to have been sins that are past-how can they be forwritten in characters of blood. But a little given? My sins are many, and some of reflection made me sad to find my eyes inad- them have been committed a long time ago, equate to bear the intensity of an Indian sun, can they also be expiated. When we exand vainly striving to bear up against the plained to him the efficacy of Christ's death, glare, till I had read one short chapter. as extending to all sins that are sincerely Seven hours a day of labor amid the wind, repented of and wholly forsaken-He said, and sand, and heat, and light, and confu-" It is enough! My heart finds rest and

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