and our gratification in the termination of the contest would be less chequered than we confess it is with retrospective self-reproaches. But be these things as they may, we hope and believe that He who orders the unruly wills and affections of men, and often brings good out of evil, will overrule the late events to his own glory and the welfare of mankind. Affghanistan is a barbarous and Pagan land-though the treatment of the captives, and some other circumstances, have shewn more of civilization and self-control than its rude people were believed to have attained to and if even our hostile connection with it shall lead in the end to the peaceful relations of commerce, and the introduction of the Gospel of salvation, the result may be the opening an inlet to light and truth to the whole of the wild regions of central and northern Asia. The case of China is still more auspicious. Its strong-holds are broken down; its wall of brass is razed; its gulf of separation from European intercourse is bridged over; for besides the twenty-one millions of hard dollars which are to flow into the British treasury-alas, the price of much blood! the treaty contains the following important provisions :-"Lasting peace and friendship between the two empires. The ports of Canton, Amoy, Foochow-foo, Ningpoo, and Shanghai, to be thrown open to British merchants; consular officers to be appointed to reside at them; and regular and just tariffs of import and export (as well as inland transit) to be established and published. The island of Hong Kong to be ceded in perpetuity to Her Britannic Majesty, her heirs and successors. All subjects of Her Britannic Majesty (whether natives of Europe or India), who may be confined in any part of the Chinese empire, to be unconditionally released. An act of full and entire amnesty to be published by the Emperor, under his imperial sign manual and seal, to all Chinese subjects, on account of their having held service, or intercourse with, or resided under, the British Government or its officers. Correspondence to be conducted on terms of perfect equality amongst the officers of both Governments." Who but must hope, and confidently believe, that these pacific inlets to the vast empire of China, will be the means of facilitating the introduction among an immense body of our fellow-men hitherto segregated from intercourse with Christendom, the arts and the commerce of the most enlightened nations; and with them, both incidentally and directly, the Holy Scriptures and the instructions of Christian teachers. If we have terrified and subdued this populous nation by our bombs and rockets, our steam-vessels and men-ofwar, let us now try to benefit them by more blessed enterprises. The merchant and manufacturer are already freighting out their cargoes for speculative ventures; let the Christian and the philanthropist not linger behind them. We have taught all Asia, if not to love us, at least to dread us; if not to feel any prepossession for our professed, though often abused, religion, at least to acknowledge our power, and to confide in our truthfulness and honour; let us now shew that we are a nation of Christians; and that Christians are not what they call us, "devils," but servants of the Prince of Peace, whose duty and privilege it is to endeavour to extend the pacific and beatifying reign of their Divine Lord, over all lands. China is still entrenched in prejudices, and to man's unaided efforts still impervious to the heartfelt reception of the Gospel ; but so is the soul of every man by nature; but in reliance upon the promise, and in performance of the command, of the Saviour, we ought to address ourselves to the work, for we know that the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever King of kings and Lord of lords; Hallelujah, Amen! ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. C. L.; S.B.; H. W.; W. C.; A Low Churchman; IT; H.; A Sincere Friend and Well-wisher; A Constant Reader; A Layman; H. S.; J. E.; Liberalis; J. C.; and J. M.; are under consideration. In reply to numerous letters, we again notify that correspondents whose inquiries can be best answered by post, should send their address. Why be at the trouble and expence of printing, and forcing numerous readers to purchase and peruse, a private notification, which the post-office would deliver for a penny? Sechuana New Testament, by the Serious Remonstrance to Sibthorp, by a Hull Clergyman Shaw's, Rev. B., Memorials of "The Bishop's Daughter" .... 361 on Wordsworth ........498, 539 35 93 Rev. R. Moffat 769 Psalms ... 769 ... 499, 539 |