while at the leeward no one could live tion in its dark passage, when, by its exwithin the distance of many miles, on ac- pansive force, it would raise the crust of count of the smoke, the impregnation of the the earth into a dome-like hill of fifteen or atmosphere with pungent and deadly gases, twenty feet in height, and then bursting and the fiery showers which were con- this shell, pour itself out in a fiery torrent stantly descending, and destroying all vege- around. A man who was standing at a table life. When the fused mass was slug- considerable distance from the main stream, gish, it had a gory appearance like clotted and intensely gazing on the absorbing scene blood, and when it was active, it resembled before him, found himself suddenly raised fresh and clotted blood mingled and thrown to the height of ten or fifteen feet above into violent agitation. Sometimes the flow- the common level around him, and he had ing lava would find a subterranean gallery, but just time to escape, when the earth diverging at right angles from the main opened where he had stood, and a stream channel, and pressing into it would flow off of fire gushed out.-Miss. Herald. unobserved, till meeting with some obstruc Other Societies. American Board of Commissioners for apart) that they will form quite a cool and Foreign Missions. MADURA. refreshing shade for travellers, a privilege to man and beast which no one can appreciate who has not been in a burning mid Changes and improvements in Southern day sun on the plains of India. India. Mr. Spaulding, the writer of the subjoined letter, is connected with the mission to Ceylon. Some years since, when it was proposed to extend that mission to the adjoining continent, he made a tour of exploration into the Madura district. Having had occasion recently to visit the same region again, after a lapse of seven years, he gives the result of his observation in the letter from which we extract the following, dated Oct. 12, 1840. If we except two schools and a catechist, under the direction of the Propagation Society, very little, excepting the occasional preaching or distribution of tracts by missionaries while travelling through the country, had been done by way of making known the gospel in the district of Madura. Even the roads through the land were mostly such as nature had made and the people from ancient time had travelled. On my present tour, when I arrived at Tondy with Mrs. Spaulding, the first improvement I noticed was a very pleasant and convenient bungalow, built by the collector, Mr. Blackburn, which we were allowed to occupy, and where we spent the Sabbath. Early on Monday morning we left for Sevagunga, where Mr. Cherry is stationed. My attention was again called to improvements by the government. An excellent road, with good bridges, is almost finished from Tondy to the town of Madura, on each side of which young trees are set out so near each other (say ten feet Another improvement since my former visit is the repair of tanks, from which the cultivated lands were irrigated. These are formed on the gently sloping surface, by a large mound of earth thrown up so as to form a basin, from two to six miles in length, which is generally filled by the rains from the hills, or by a stream of water In this way turned out from the river. cultivators are able to secure a harvest in the dry as well as the rainy season. Within six years these two sources of profit, good roads and good tanks have been greatly increased, so that the revenue in some parts is more than doubled. Then there was no missionary station nor a Christian teacher within the district. Now there are five stations and nine missionaries, who have under their care about eighty native free schools and four English boarding schools, all of which are in a very interesting and flourishing state, and fifteen or twenty native assistants of very good promise. Each missionary has a very extensive and encouraging field, and enough to do. Most of the brethren have made good progress in the acquisition of the Tamul language, though some, through diffidence, are deficient in the practical use of it. The difference to my own feelings is almost like a dream. Like the enchantment of your "American West," where forests disappear and shoot up as by magic, a high way is there, the way of holiness is commencing, "the eyes of the blind are opened, and the ears of the deaf are un stopped." The wilderness and the solitary place are glad for your messengers; and as I meditate on these things I cannot forbear to call out, " Strengthen ye the weak hands, say to the fearful heart be strong, fear not." Yea, I might quote all the thirty-fifth of Isaiah with a glow of confidence in favor of your Madura mission. Our labors as a mission in Ceylon are not in vain, and yet we cannot speak of any special gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thirtyone were added to the church at Batticotta, at their last communion at that station. Report of the mission for 1840. Schools. Pupils. 2,972 115 Common schools for boys, 90 for girls, 6 96 3,087 85 24 109 The number of native churches is four, embracing, exclusive of native assistants, fifteen members, of whom fourteen are males, and one female. Of these, twelve have united with the churches during the past year. The number in the common schools who are able to read is 1,000: and of those who have committed to memory, in part, the ten commandments, the Lord's prayer, and our first catechism, 3,000. A thousand have committed to memory entire the ten commandments, our first and second catechisms, and some portions of scripture history. Thus it appears that, on our present scale of operations, we are yearly sending out into this heathen community a thousand lads, who in a short time are to take the places of their fathers, with minds somewhat enlightened and memories stored with all the important and saving doctrines of the bible. The great majority of these we may safely say, but for our schools, would grow up under the most heathen and demoralizing influences, with scarcely a single counteracting good influence. The parents of the families to which these thousand boys belong must, of necessity, listen to the recital of some gospel truth, to which till now they were entire strangers. It is not an uncommon thing, in passing along the streets, to be hailed by men repeating some of the simple questions and answers of our first catechism. From these facts and many others, of which we are in possession, it appears to us evident that a leaven is working, which, under the divine blessing, must eventually produce a great moral change in this mass of heathen population. This is only one view of many which might be taken of our common freeschool system. In the school room we often find our largest and best congregations. Thus in every village where we have a school, we are furnished with a sort of preaching-bungalow, where we feel ourselves at full liberty to declare the gospel of Christ. These are encouraging facts in the operations of our mission. But when we look over this broad field, and find that we are able to reach but a small portion of its immense population, a sort of melancholy steals over our minds, and we are ready to exclaim, When will laborers come to these vacant fields?-Miss. Herald. CONSTANTINOPLE. Journal of Mr. Dwight. [The extracts from Mr. Dwight's journal which follow give abundant evidence that a very interesting state of religious feeling and inquiry exists among a portion of the Armenian population of Constantinople.] August 1st, 1840. To-day I visited an Armenian girls' school in Constantinople, which receives in part its support from us. The number of scholars is at present about twenty, being smaller in summer than in winter, owing to the fact that many of the parents reside in the country during the summer months. It is kept in a private house, and is under the direction of a mother and two daughters, the daughters being more properly the instructers of the school. I went to-day with the determination to withdraw from this school the support we have afforded it, on account of the present low state of funds; but when I saw the bright, and promising appearance of the children, heard some of them read from the word of God, and thought of the influence that twenty or thirty mothers, capable of reading, may exert on their children and on others in this place, I could not find it in my heart to say one word in regard to withholding the contribution of our mite for the furtherance of this object. No, rather would I live on coarser and scantier fare, than be the means of sending these interesting children to their homes again, to grow up in ignorance and sin. If Christians in America will not deny themselves for the welfare of these precious souls, we must. I had an opportunity of speaking on the blessedness of those who have the sure hopes of the gospel. The father of the teachers recently died. He was evangelical in his views, and he was the father of 12th. Received a call from two Armenians, one of whom we have known for years as an enlightened, and, as we hope, a pious man. The other was a new visitor and an inquirer. The former remarked that they had not slept any during the last night, but had spent the whole time in conversing about spiritual and eternal things. They called at an early hour, in order to procure an answer to some questions on particular passages of scripture which the inquirer could not understand. One of these was, Agree with thine adversary quickly, etc. Matthew, 5: 25. Another was, This is my body and this is my blood. The former is supposed by some good catholics to refer to purgatory! and the notions of these eastern churches, as well as of the Roman church, about the latter are well known. I was enabled to explain both in a very different manner, and apparently to the satisfaction of my visitors. Our conversation turned subsequently on the impossibility of being saved by the deeds of the law, and the uncertainty of a death-bed repentance. They left me with the promise to call again.-Herald. August 11th, 1840. Had a call from a well informed young Greek to-day. Our conversation soon turned on the present state of the church. In the course of his remarks he showed himself to have embraced the sentiments of a Greek ecclesiastic and teacher, who has recently brought himself into much note in his nation by his deistical notions. Some of the doctrines of his system are, the rejection of the divinity of Christ, the denial of human depravity, and of the necessity of the atonement and regeneration, and the rejection of the entire Old Testament as a part of inspired truth. Salvation by Jesus Christ forms no part of his creed. There is reason to believe that his sentiments have been extensively adopted among the young enlightened Greeks. Many of his pupils have imbibed them, and have contributed considerably to their dissemination. Much excitement has been occasioned in some places by the appearance of these doctrines. Among the evils which will result, this good effect may be hoped for, viz., it will wake up multitudes of minds from their religious lethargy and indifference, and will lead them to inquiry, discussion, and examination. The motto, 66 Believe, without examination," has long exerted a fearful influence among these people. Almost any thing, leading to inquiry and investigation, may be regarded as favorable. In this connexion may also be mentioned the influence of Greek newspapers. They are doing an immense work in rousing the Greek mind to thought and inquiry. Especially is their influence seen in Turkey, where they have begun to be circulated more recently. A goodly number of them are now published. In many of them, free and full discussions are carried on respecting reform in the church in various particulars. Editors and newspaper writers do not hesitate to expose before the public, and to condemn the misconduct of their ecclesiastics in the severest terms. The freedom with which they speak on these points is truly wonderful. This boldness, instead of diminishing, is rapidly on the increase, under the new regulations of the Turkish government. The people have not been accustomed to such things. It is altogether new to them. They have been looking on, at first, rather in silence; but seeing that these attacks on the clergy have brought no bad consequences on their authors, they are encouraged to think for themselves, and to express their opinions freely. This result cannot be otherwise than favorable. 12th. I have been recently encouraged by a returning demand for books. Within a few days past, I have disposed of more than I had circulated for months previously. May this demand be daily growing. [Having mentioned that B. P., one of those who were banished to Cesarea, during the late times of persecution, had been ill treated by the Turkish officer on the way, Mr. Schneider adds-] He remarked, however, that they were treated with the utmost kindness and respect in the place of their banishment, especially so by the superior of the convent located there. He, the superior, endeavored to console them by the comforts of the gospel, and by reminding them that in the early ages of Christianity good men had suffered persecution in the same way. And besides this, he gave them the privilege of living on the funds of the monastery. This, to persons in their circumstances, was no small favor. On their arrival in Cesarea, the question stages of preparation and trial for the missionary work among their own benighted people. Through the mission stations occupied by these brethren, the church is brought in direct contact with five different heathen nations, containing two-thirds of the whole human race. In laying the foundation for future usefulness, a great work has already been performed. was asked, "Why are these men banish- | them hopefully pious, and in different ed, and what is their crime?" They are protestants, was the reply. "And what is a protestant?" One who takes the bible for his guide, and only that. "Then we are protestants, for we acknowledge only the word of God," they observed. He represented that their banishment to that place had been the means of awakening much inquiry, and that half the Armenian population of Cesarea had been led to embrace enlightened evangelical views of truth. This may be a strong statement, but there is no doubt that a considerable revolution took place in the minds of many of their nation, in consequence of their residence there. On his way to Broosa he passed through Nicomedia, where he spent a few days. He spoke with the utmost surprise of the interest he found in that place in truly evangelical views. He says there are thirty or forty brethren, as he terms them. His countenance brightened up with the most lively interest, when referring to the state of things there, and he reiterated again and again his great astonishment. Though he may not be truly born again, yet his testimony, in addition to that of missionary brethren who have visited the place, evidently shows that the Lord is carrying on a work of grace there. Truly such an instance is encouraging.-Ibid. Finances. Though the last year has been a season of severe pecuniary embarrassment, especially in those parts of the country from which the Board derives the greater part of its resources, yet the committee are able to make a good report respecting this department of their affairs. There would, however, have been a decided balance against the treasury if the liberality of two persons had not prevented it. Mrs. Sarah Hollenbeck made a donation of $5000 to the general purposes of the Board, besides a larger sum for the mission house; and $5000 were given by a christian friend for the support of the officers of the Board. Including these sums, and the sum of $1400 from the United States government, on account of the Indian Missions, the receipts of the Board from May 1, 1840, to May 1, 1841, have been $67,081,58. The expenditures during the same time have been $66,804,82; leaving a balance of $276,76. Besides the above receipts, Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis the American Tract Society have paid sions. The Board met in Philadelphia on the 18th of May, and continued in session until the 20th. From an abstract of the annual report given in the July number of the Missionary Chronicle, we select the following items. Less than four years ago the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church, met for the first time. At that meeting they received a transfer of the Missionary Institution, recently commenced, and then existing under the care of the Synods of Pittsburg and Philadelphia; the next year the Central and Southern Boards became their auxiliaries; and the entire church became united under the organization formed and directed by the General Assembly, no one forbidding us to speak to the gentiles that they might be saved. Faithful and able men have offered themselves, and have been sent as missionaries to the heathen; and the church has now under her care in the foreign field fifty-seven laborers, sent from her own bosom, twenty-three of whom are ministers of the gospel; besides eight native assistants, some of them men of learning, all of $1500, and the American Bible Society $1000, which have been appropriated to the printing and circulation of the sacred scriptures and religious tracts at the different mission stations. These societies have also given several donations of bibles and tracts for the use of the missions. During this year sixteen new missionaaries and assistant missionaries have been sent to their respective fields of labor. Mission in Western Africa. Missionaries-the Rev. Messrs. Oren K. Canfield and Jonathan P. Alward, and their wives; Abraham Miller, colored native teacher; Cecilia Vantine, colored teacher. These missionaries sailed on the 3d of February for their field of labor among the Kroos, a large tribe residing on the coast, about equally distant from Monrovia and Cape Palmas. The town of Settra Kroo will probably be occupied as the first station, having many advantages for that purpose, and particularly eligible as affording access to some large tribes in the interior, who are said to occupy a fine hilly and productive country. These brethren will probably remain at Cape Palmas until they become somewhat acclimated, and have partly acquired the language of the Kroo people. The experience learned by Messrs. Canfield and Alward during their former visit, and the care which they will feel bound to take of their health, diminish their risk of danger in going to the unhealthy regions of West Africa, but they are affectionately commended to the special prayers of the people of God. undertaking, although pressing applications were made for nearly sixty additional missionaries, and although a larger number than before, of missionary candidates were anxiously waiting to be employed. The only exception had been the new mission to the Gold Coast and to Ashantee:-nor would they have met even that loud call upon their humanity and piety, if the means of obeying it had not been specially provided. The report then took a review of the financial position of the society, up to De Abraham Miller is a native prince, formerly a scholar at the station of Green, and hopefully pious. After spending near-cember 31st, 1840, under the items of inly a year in this country at school, he has gone back to his people with apparently strong and sincere desires to be useful. He will continue his studies under the care of the missionaries. Mission to Siam. Bangkok. Missionaries-the Rev. William P. Buell, Dr. James C. Hepburn, and their wives. Mr. and Mrs. Buell reached Singapore on the 22d of July, and proceeded to Siam on the 6th of August. On the 16th of the same month they reached Bangkok in good health. Dr. and Mrs. Hepburn sailed for this mission on the 15th of last March. The Siamese mission is considered one of great interest. It may be doubted how long the Siamese authorities will tolerate missionary labors, the object of which they probably understand; but so long as the door stands open, the laborers sent forth by the church should not hesitate to enter in and fulfil their important mission. In closing the financial statement for 1839, the committee announced a debt of £20,871, and that the society must either greatly reduce its missionary establishments, and abandon some portion of the field already nobly won and occupied, or there must be an addition of 10 or £12,000 a year to support its existing establishments; -it was also then stated, that for the gradual extinction of the debt and the enlargement of the society's labors, an addition of not less than £20,000 a year would be required. The accuracy of these views had been confirmed by another year's experience; and the committee had refrained almost entirely from embarking in any new come and expenditure. The gross income of 1840 was, in round numbers, £90,182; the gross expenditure £109,226;-excess of expenditure over income £19,044; -to which adding the debt of 1838 and 1839 (£20,871), the actual deficiency to December 31st, would be £42,939. From this amount, however, should be deducted loans to foreign chapels, and balances unpaid in December, estimated together at £12,322,-making the real debt up to that time £30,616. In conclusion, the report adverted to the noble gift of the mission house and premises to the society by the centenary committee, without any charge whatever, either for the site, the necessary alterations, or the new buildings.-Bap. (Eng.) Mag. South Sea Missions. The following extracts are from the report and journal of Rev. John Waterhouse, "General Superintendent of Wesleyan Missions in Australia and Polynesia." The communica tion dated Hobart-town, Van Dieman's Land, Sept. 8th, 1840, contains brief notices of his visits to different islands. NEW-ZEALAND.-Here I have left five additional missionaries, and visited most of the stations. Much good has been done; but there are very few thorough conversions of the soul to God. Christianity as a system has been embraced by multitudes; the Lord's day is carefully observed; public worship is well attended; and the congregations appear very devout. Many can read and write; and an universal thirst has been excited for the sacred scriptures and other religious books. One chief had come a three weeks' journey, expecting to obtain from me a copy of the New Testament, as some had been sent to England to be bound. They have given up their sanguinary wars, and the revolting scenes of cannibalism. They are remarkable for honesty, but vagrant in their habits, universal smokers, selfish, dirty, and delight to herd together. They need line upon line on experimental and practical christianity. A person visit |
