"The Society in the 3rd Buffs at Meerut, is stated to be 300 strong. "At Kurnaul there is a remarkably prosperous Society in Her Majesty's 13th Light Infantry, consisting of 320 Members, among whom are 25 who abstain from all intoxicating liquids whatever; and the Society in the troop of Horse Artillery which recently left that Station for Dum-Dum, amounted to 12 Members.

"At Agra besides our own, there is a small Society in the 4th Battalion of Artillery, which we hope daily to see gather strength and increase in numbers.

"These few scattered items of intelligence, though embracing but about a half of the European Troops in this Presidency, are sufficient to show that we are not solitary labourers, but rather part of a mighty host travelling one great road of improvement, which ought to excite in us a spirit of emulation, and a determination not to be outstripped in so glorious a course, but to equal, if not excel, the most zealous of our competitors."

From the First Report of the Singapore and Malacca Temperance Society just received we gather that the cause is prospering in the Straits-may it extend and abide. While on this topic it may not be amiss to call the attention of our readers to the intemperance of eating, which medical testimony reports as much more prevalent and destructive in the higher circles in this country than that of drinking; nor should intemperance in dress be omitted, for our advocacy of the principle extends to intemperance not in drinking merely but to every thing indulged in at the expence of health, reputation and usefulness. The attention of the Friends of Temperance in India should not be confined simply to Europeans, but should be directed to the native community, and endeavour to strike at the root of ganjasmoking and opium-eating, two of the greatest banes which can afflict a people.

2.-SCHOOLS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ARRACAN.

In our number for January we stated that various general improvements were about to be carried into effect and district schools established at the principal stations in the Arracan province. We find that we erred in stating that the improvements were to be carried into effect out of the Port Funds, these funds have been exclusively devoted to the lighting and safety of the dangerous coast of Arracan. They have now been accumulating for several years, the annual income being about 7000 or 8000 Co.'s Rs. and it is but justice to government to state that when it has been expended it has been on the coast and ports.

"For out of the sums collected at Akyaband Khyouk Phyoo a complete series of five large buoys were laid down about two or three years ago in the most judicious positions at the entrance of either harbour, by which the navigation has been rendered perfectly safe and easy; pucka wells have

been constructed and tanks dug for the use of the shipping, and there being a large and increasing balance it has been resolved to erect a substantial jetty at Akyab with a bungalow attached. One light-house is also to be built at the mouth of the Akyab river and another on Saddle Island Dear Khyouk Phyoo, and probably a third on Saint Martin's Island, a dangerous rock, surrounded by reefs, between Akyab and Tek Naaf: likewise tripods and other marks wherever they can be of use to navigators. Year after year the proceeds of the port dues will be expended on something new, and there is every reason to believe that in time the navigation of the Arracan Coast will be rendered as safe as any part of that of England. A small harbour establishment at Akyab has been sanctioned which affords great convenience to all visiting that rising port. Government has already had the whole coast carefully surveyed at a great expence. The beautiful charts of Capt. Ross and of Lieut. Lloyd of the Bombay marine, as also of Capt. Laws and the officers of H. M. S. Satellite, and of other scientific men, furnish most accurate guides to all parts of it. The most prominent dangers are the "Oyster reef," about twenty miles from the Akyab Harbour and the " Terribles" about the same distance from Kyouk Phyoo; but it is expected that the intended lights will shed their lustre sufficiently far seaward to indicate to mariners their exact position, and enable them to steer clear of them. Much credit is due to Government, and to the Marine Board for the humane anxiety evinced by these projected improvements, and the determination to expend the port funds entirely in reducing the dangers of the Arracan coast, and although it will necessarily take a few years to effect all that is intended it is gratifying to know that attention has been directed to so praise-worthy an object. Nothing is more wanted than a jetty at Akyab, but to be of any utility it must be about 650 feet long, which will cause it to be an expensive undertaking, but we doubt not its construction is in good hands.

"For the improvement of the town and station of Akyab we understand the Government has made liberal assignments from the Ferry funds of the district. When the place is thoroughly drained, and good roads and bridges are constructed the residents will derive much benefit from the change.

"We find that instead of having schools at each of the four stations in the province that the Government having at the recommendation of the Committee granted 500 rupees per mensem from the General Revenues of Arracan, (the Education Committee having no available funds,) it is Capt. Bogle's intention to have one good day-school at Akyab where there is a population of about 16,000 souls, and another at Ramree where there are about 8,000 people. This is considered a better plan than having a larger number of schools of an inferior quality.

φιλος.

Missionary and Religious Entelligence.

1.-MISSIONARY AND ECCLESIASTICAL MOVEMENTS.

Since our last the following arrivals have added to the Missionary strength in India.-Rev. J. McDonald and Mrs. McDonald, of the Scottish Mission and the Rev. J. Norgate, of the Church Mission Society; both are, we believe, to labour in Calcutta: may the great Lord of the harvest give them

long life and abundant success in their work!-The Rev. J. Wilson of Subathu, has removed to Allahabad and Mr. McEwen, formerly at that station, proceeds to America on account of ill health.-Rev. J. Lacey, has left Calcutta for the sphere of labour formerly occupied by him at Cuttack in Orissa.-Letters have been received from Rev. Geo. Pearce and party; they arrived safely and in much improved health at Bombay.-We sincerely desire for our respected friend a speedy return to the scene of his useful labours.-The Rev. Mr. DeRodt has removed from Sona Mookee to Calcutta, and will in future labour in concert with the Mis. sionaries of the London Mission.-Rev. J. Tomlin and family left this for England during the month of January. How do these rapid changes show us the fitful and transient nature of all our plans, and lead us to pray for wisdom that we may apply ourselves most diligently to the promotion of the divine glory and the good of men while the moment of labour is vouchsafed!

2.-CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN TRACT AND BOOK SOCIETY.

The Eighth Annual Meeting of the Calcutta Christian Tract and Book Society was held at the Town Hall, on Tuesday evening, February 20, 1838. The Meeting having been opened with prayer by the Rev. T. Boaz, J. W. Alexander, Esq. took the Chair. The Secretary having read the Report*, the Rev. Mr. Yates rose to move the first resolution; viz. That the report be printed and circulated under the direction of the Committee. He observed that the Tract Society held a prominent and useful place; that it was worthy of the place which it held, and that the objects it proposed to accomplish were of the noblest character. It was saying not a little of any Society, to say that it was co-operating with God. What was the object of the divine work of redemption, but the conversion of sinners and the edification of the Church? And how did it appear that this Society was pursuing these objects? Look at their publications, such as Baxter's Call, the Rise and Progress, and the Pilgrim's Progress. Nor was this Society unsuccessful in the prosecution of its objects; how many thousands have been converted from the error of their ways, and how many more cheered in their pilgrimage! He inquired whether in this land the operations of such a Society were not needed? they were not only necessary to chase away the darkness of idolatry, but to confirm the Church. The rising churches in this country could not but be feeble, and believers could not but be weak, so long as they remained without the means of instruction. Some might object, Mr. Yates further remarked, to the employment of any means but the word of God. The reverend gentleman showed the fallacy of the objection. He remarked that other books than the word of God have already produced powerful effects, that they were drawn from that word and were crowned and blessed by the Lord. He alluded to the light of the sun, moon, and stars, to illustrate his position, and shewed that in the absence of the one the others were not without their use. He concluded by earnestly urging the audience to encourage the publication of tracts, and particularly pressed the duty of reading for one's self as well as of reading for others.

The above Resolution was seconded by H. Walters, Esq. C. S.

The Rev. Mr. Boswell rose to move the second Resolution; viz. That this Meeting truly rejoices in the extended labours of the Society, and

* As we shall notice this at length when printed, we shall not do more now than say that its details are very interesting.

commends them to the blessing of God, trusting that the Holy Spirit will render them instrumental in leading souls to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The reverend gentleman observed that this resolution was itself a tract. It has been said that to a great mind nothing was great ; one might say that to a great mind nothing was small. No means were so contemptible as not to prove useful in some degree. The great and generous Seldon said, that if he wished to know the habits of thinking of a nation, he would not take up the folios but the pamphlets and duodecimos of the day. It was astonishing what an influence the little tracts had on society-the world knew this and employed it well. Newspapers were its tracts, and in fact the greatest impressions had been wrought by such means. We had heard of the Sybil who wrote her oracles on leaves and scattered them, and happy was the man deemed who got them. We have a tree, said the reverend gentleman, and the leaves of it are for the healing of the nations -our little tracts might be compared to these leaves. He felt attached

to this Society; it was the first he had advocated in India: then there were present Corrie and Duff and others now departed or absent; the work remained and we should do it.

The Rev. Mr. Lacroix seconded the Resolution. He said that there was much reason for thanksgiving both as regards that which had been accomplished and that which was about to be accomplished. Though not an Englishman, yet he was happy to acknowledge that there was in no country so much practical Christianity as in England. For speculative theology Germany might be superior; but there was not in that country the healthy tone of religion which prevailed in England. The Tract Society he remarked, was calculated to infuse this healthy spirit through this country. The reverend gentleman went on to observe that all could not be Missionaries; yet Civil and Military servants acquainted with the languages of the country, might translate tracts into the native languages, and thus render themselves useful in the cause of God. Another reason for thankfulness was the good which the society had done during the past year for a most interesting class in this country, viz. youths educated in English schools, but who have not possessed the advantage of a religious education. The Society has printed two books, of not a few pages, but books of a larger size, for this class. He thought that merely to destroy a Hindu's trust in his own religion was by no means sufficient. He compared it to convincing a poor helpless man that he was living in a hovel, dragging him out of it, and then leaving him exposed to the merciless tempest. But this, he contended was manifestly of no benefit to the poor object; it was a false compassion. It was not sufficient to prove that Hinduism was a wretched hovel, it was necessary also to supply a solid, firm and comfortable habitation: that this society aimed to do. He concluded by exhorting the meeting to take more interest in the affairs of the Society. He wished a larger number were present, as indicating the prevalence of a more extensive spirit of co-operation with the Society. One feature of the Society he said, was that it enabled every one to be useful. If it should be objected that the work was slow and the means small, he would answer that this was no reason for a sensible man to desist. Every thing great was accomplished by small beginnings. In the vegetable kingdom he instanced the oak. Among animals he observed that the small ones were most industrious and most useful-such as the ant, and the bee, and the coral insect. From history it was evident that Alexander's empire, and Napoleon's empire were transient like mushrooms, but the Roman and British empires which had a small beginning became the most extended and the most

The Manual and Letters on Christian Evidences.

stable. So Christ's kingdom would be-it was accordingly compared by our Lord himself to a grain of mustard seed, springing up and becoming a great tree.

The Rev. Mr. Wybrow proposed the third Resolution, viz. That the specified gentlemen should be office-bearers of the Society for the present year. He contended that there was as much cause for rejoicing in the operations with this Society, as a soldier feels at being well-weaponed. Should it be asked if he was a Christian warrior and did not feel ashamed to wield such mean weapons, he would answer by asking if artillery alone was requisite for mowing down the enemy's ranks and obtaining the victory? The great giant Goliath was slain by a pebble hurled by a shepherd's hand. He had heard that the religion of Buddha was propagated in China by written tracts. If error could be so propagated, much more could truth. The Rev. Mr. McDonald in seconding the Resolution, declared that he rejoiced at seeing not a few, in a country which was regarded as the seat of wealth and luxury, met together on behalf of such a Society as this. If his reverend brother (Mr. Boswell) was attached to the Society because of its goodness, and because it was the first he had advocated in India, he more ; for it was the first which he too had been called to advocate, and he might with truth say that it was to a tract, under God, that he owed all he held dear in connection with his religious happiness and hopes. The reverend gentleman proceeded to argue, the certainty of success in our cause though the weapons were apparently insignificant, from the declara tions of God in reference to the universal kingship of Christ, and the obligation to the performance of our duty in being made kings and priests for God. As priests we were to offer daily prayer, and as kings we were to make daily conquests, over ourselves and the world, for Christ. He was reminded by the Resolution that personal exertion was necessary, and earnestly expressed his hope that God would grant his blessing on those set apart to the work.

He

The Rev. W. Morton proposed the last Resolution; viz. That the meeting offer their thanks to the Chairman for the kind and able manner in which he has conducted the business of the evening. He would not offer, and no one was more averse to flattery than the chairman; yet he could not refrain from expressing his thankfulness for every manifestation of encouragement given by others. This encouragement was calculated to excite attention to the objects of the Society. He was glad to hear the clear testimony, borne by another speaker, to the correctness of the English tracts and he could state that the Bengali tracts contained neither error nor did they es pouse in doctrine the interests of any party or section of the church. dwelt upon the necessity of personal exertions; apart from the opportunities enjoyed by many for distributing tracts in their offices, they had other opportunites of doing good. All were surrounded by native servants, and all could put tracts into their hands. A tract he knew, was a most insignificant thing; a thousand might be thrown away, but out of that thousand one might take effect. No party purpose could be answered in the distribution of our tracts. They passed the examination of persons who were appointed to detect faults of doctrine, and party bias, and to reject both. Nothing was brought forward in tracts necessarily offensive; people were argued with kindly and affectionately, as Paul argued at Athens. He was persuaded that the influence of tracts could not but be extensive. He was reminded of a comparison which a minister in England once used and which he had never since forgotten-of a pebble thrown into the ocean; the eye could not follow the circles on the surface of the water; but the imagination might follow them to the limits of the ocean. In concluding he hoped many others would throw in their quota of influence, like the present chairman, on behalf of this and similar Societies.