CHRISTIAN HERALD.

VOL. II.]

Saturday, March 22, 1817.

[No. 26.

BIBLE AND MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

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We have lately received from our correspondents in Great Britain several recent publications and manuscript papers, from which we shall extract some interesting matter for our present and future numbers. late letter, received by a friend in Scotland, from the Rev. J. Paterson, at St. Petersburg, mentions the establishment of A BRANCH BIBLE SOCIETY at the principal naval station of Russia. This communication, we trust, will not be unacceptable at a time when our merchants and mariners are engaged in founding in this place an Institution, which, like that in Cronstadt, promises the most extensive usefulness to the interesting class of people for whose benefit it is chiefly designed. Seafaring men, in general, have little opportunity to obtain religious instruction, being deprived of the advantages of stated ministrations of the preached gospel, the ordinance instituted by Christ as the great means of calling sinners from darkness to light, and building up his people in faith and holiness. It is therefore highly desirable that they should be abundantly supplied with the written word, which is given by its Divine Author, as a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our paths.

The letter above mentioned, after some observations of a private nature, thus proceeds:

You will no doubt feel much interested in being informed, that a Bible Society has been established in Cronstadt. This took place last Tuesday. His excellency Mr. Papoff and myself were present from the Committee here. I never witnessed a more interesting scene. Above 200 were assembled, of which, above two-thirds were naval officers. Con. Admiral *Rosotkoff was chosen President. The Committee consists of a Russian, a Catholic, a Lutheran, and an English clergyman, a doctor of medicine, 4 naval officers, 2 vice-consuls, and 2 members of the Custom-house. At one time I should have thought that Cronstadt would have been the last place in Russia at which a Bible Society would have been established, but with God all things are possible. I have seldom witnessed a better spirit than on this occasion; the deepest atten*The name cannot be correctly decyphered.

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tion reigned during the excellent addresses which were delivered by the President and Secretary, and my friend Papof. When it came to subscription, all pressed forward with an eagerness which showed that they were in earnest. The members of the Committee are most excellent men, full of zeal. I expect much from this society; they have it in their power to do much in distributing the sacred Scriptures in almost all languages. I hope many a ship will carry with them from Cronstadt the treasure of great price, wherewith to enlighten the countries to which they belong, or which they may visit. It is some months since a friend began to distribute the sacred Scriptures in that place, and we have already heard much of the good effects produced by them. Thus we have a door opened for the navy of Russia, and I expect the day is near when we shall have Marine Bible Societies also. God is doing great things for Russia, and in Russia.

Your sincere friend,

JOHN PATERSON.

MISSIONS IN AFRICA.

Extracts of letters from Mr. Read.

Bethelsdorp, Aug. 7, 1816.

Unforeseen difficulties have hitherto detained me. I am now. en the point of departure for Latakoo. Two waggons are already sent off, and four more are ready.

Our friends will recollect, that the brethren at Griqua Town were about to visit Latakoo, and I am sorry to say, that from let ters received, it appears that affairs wear an unfavourable aspect, not only there, but also at Makoon's Krall. You will however see, from our good Cupido's letter (an extract from which I enclose) that he and Brother Corner were about to proceed to the latter place.

Perhaps the patience of our friends in England must be tried, as well as that of the Missionaries. I always considered the mission to Latakoo as a very serious undertaking. The man that goes there must carry his life in his hand; for there the devil reigns without control, and to cast him out requires nothing less than power divine. Had the brethren waited awhile, Mr. Anderson would have accompanied them, and perhaps have staid with them till my arrival. However, the information has not damped my spirits; but I long to be on the way, as does the little pious company who are going with me.

1 am now about to depart, with 18 men and 6 women, all members of our church, and some of them very zealous. The letter of Cupido will be interesting; if I have the faith and confidence that he possesses, I shall not fear to attempt to erect the standard of the cross at Latakoo.

Extract from Mr Read's Letter.

I have received a pleasing account from Caledon. The church there has 60 members, and there are now many candidates for

baptism. They have had a good harvest, and collected, in the last year, 80 rix dollars for the

poor.

Brother Ulbricht is anxious to proceed to Caffre-land, and the Llandrost seems much pleased with it, as he is so well acquainted with their customs, &c.

Government has taken a large farm behind Brainty's Hoogte, and called it Somerset. This will become a village or town. Brother Samson, who was one of our first scholars at Graaff Reynet, and who has acted as an elder for the last two years, has accepted an invitation from the officer who presides, to become a Missionary to it. He has good talents for preaching: he preaches here (at Bethelsdorp) occasionally, but generally in the Hottentot language. I trust he will be useful.

Extract from the Letter of Cupido, (the Hottentot Preacher,) translated.

"I now go to Makoon's Krall. I have prayed to the Lord Jesus, and he has answered me; now I am satisfied, and I go with Brother Corner to Makoon's Krall. I have met with difficulties so great, that sometimes my body could scarcely sustain them; and when this is the case, then comes my Lord Jesus Christ, as a father of mercy. And O how faithful is my Jesus then! Infinitely great is his faithfulness, which he daily shows to me, and his love is infinitely great, and his mercy! I am not able to describe how he bears all my burdens, so that I care for nothing; for he is my father, my surety, my refuge! O how lovely is the Lord Jesus Christ to so poor a creature as I am!

"We should have been away to Makoon's Krall, but we could get no provisions; we are also in great want of powder and lead ; but I cast all my care on the Lord Jesus.

My kind love to all the little children, likewise to all the brethren and sisters at Bethelsdorp.

"Signed, CUPIDO KAKKALAH.

"Griqua Town, May 29, 1816."

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Corner to Mr. Messer.

-On the day we left the boundaries (on his journey from Graaf Reynet to Griqua Town,) Jantze and I rode on before a considerable distance, till we came to an extensive plain. Jantze left me, while the waggons were passing the two mountains. I then made my way towards the waggons, when I was nearly attacked by a lion. Jantze, from a distance, perceived the lion near me, wagging his tail, and just ready to spring upon me; but he beckoned to me to get off, at the same time riding in full speed towards me. I dismounted, and no sooner did Jantze approach, than the lion made up towards me, in a most terrific manner. leaned upon my horse, and looking behind me, expected every moment that he would spring upon me; but as I turned myself again towards the enemy, our good Master, in whose hand are all our enemies, caused him to retire without hurting me. Sometime

ago, as I was riding, it thundered and lightened severely; and by a flash of lightning the grass, about 200 or 300 feet before me, was set on fire, and I nearly fainted.

We have been to Latakoo, but the people would not receive the gospel. They were glad when we departed, saying, "Away with the Dutchmen! away with them!"

The Missionaries appointed for Africa sailed on the 18th of October.

The Missionaries for Otaheite (by way of New South Wales)

sailed Nov. 18.

The Missionaries just embarked for Otaheite have taken with them two natives of that island, who were brought to England by Captain Heywood, of his majesty's ship Calypso. Their names are PYEAHYE and TEARRE. He found them at Gibraltar : they had been brought thither in a Spanish ship from Lima, where they had been left by the captain of an English vessel, which they had helped to navigate from Otaheite. On Capt. Heywood's representation of this matter to the Admiralty, government kindly allowed a sufficient sum to enable them to return to their native country. Much praise is due to Captain Heywood for his benevolent behaviour to these poor strangers. The captain, when a boy, was carried by the mutineers of the Bounty to Otaheite, where he resided many months. It is hoped, that the Missionaries will be able to learn a good deal of the Otaheitan tongue on their voyage, by the aid of these men.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

A special report has lately been presented to this Society, by the Rev. Mr. Bickersteth, Assistant Secretary, who has personally visited the Missionary stations and schools in Africa, and from which the Society will no doubt derive the most important advantages. He has been enabled to rectify some evils, and the Missionaries seem to have been strengthened and refreshed by his visit, and excited to renewed watchfulness, and to fresh zeal and devotedness in their arduous labours. The committee feel grati

fied in the account of the state of the different schools, yet remark, that "there is need of patience in their arduous undertaking, especially in schools, where it must be many years before we can see the fruit of our labours."

We copy with pleasure the following passage: "Nor can the Committee refrain from rejoicing, that the preaching of the gospel is now likely to be pursued with vigour; the obstacles which seem to have impeded the fulfilment of their repeated instructions on that head, having been, in a great measure, removed. All other means of improving the condition of man, and of advancing his highest interests, must be subsidiary to this appointed ordinance of God."

The Report describes a number of small towns, in the colony of Sierra Leone, and not far from Free Town, (which contains about

3000 inhabitants) in which are not only many Africans, but other persons, of many nations, all living under the protection of the British Government, and, in general, desirous of instruction. A numerous class consists of negroes, who have been recovered from slave ships by the British cruizers, in consequence of the Abolition Acts. The whole Report shows how much the Society want many, very many, more Missionaries, humble and devoted, with minds made up, through the grace of God, to every sacrifice for their Saviour.

ST. KITTS.

A pious proprietor of extensive estates in St. Kitts, in his preparation for a voyage from England, to settle in the midst of his possessions, accompanied by a serious and active wife, did not forget to furnish himself with a golden package of Bibles and religious books and tracts; nor did he content himself with thesehe made an attempt to obtain ordination in the Church of England, thinking that, thus prepared, he might be his own steward, and, at the same time, a steward of the mysteries of God to the poor negroes in this he failed; but his purpose of doing good to the souls of his slaves, was not altered; he has been a father as well as a master to them; and to hear him explain the Scriptures to the sable race, bending with grateful attention to the sound of that Gospel which was to them before unknown, would be a treat to every Christian who can feel for the lost state of millions in the same condition: upwards of three hundred negroes are regular attendants, and many of these have, we trust, become, from slaves to sin, the Lord's freedmen. The lady is not idle; she instructs the females; and while, with benevolent care, she clothes the naked, feeds the hungry, and attends the sick, she does not withhold the word of exhortation, instruction, and consolation. Christian females, let your hearts rejoice, and your hands be strengthened by such intelligence, to press forward in your work with renewed alacrity, and to be fervent in prayer for prosperity and success to all your fellow-labourers in the same work of charity and love.

RUSSIA.

His Imperial Majesty has sent four persons to London, to make themselves acquainted with the Lancasterian system of education, with a view to its introduction into Russia. This may prove, in subserviency to the printing and dispersion of the scriptures, an incalculable blessing to that vast and extensive empire.

FRANCE,

The newspapers state, that a few of the inhabitants in a parish where there was no minister of religion, having assembled in the church to pray, the Prefect thought fit to prohibit their assembling. It has been ascertained, that there are no less than 4,000 parishes. in France in a similar situation; and the consequences of such a want of religious instruction may be easily conceived.