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Next Lord's day week I expect to do what has never yet been done in this country: which is to administer the solemu ordinance of scripture baptism. We have at present but one candidate, but we hope more will soon follow him. A regiment of soldiers, the 73rd, is to be stationed here, among whom are some like them who waited upon Cornelius, devout men. These will increase our little congregation, and I hope be made a blessing to our infant cause.

I am not yet able to preach to the natives in their own language; but by the help of a good interpreter I have commenced this delightful work. While I thus preach to them the unsearchable riches of Christ, I hope the Lord will open many of their hearts, as he did the heart of Lydia, that they may attend to the things that are spoken. I hope my dear brother, you and yours enjoy much soul prosperity. Pray earnestly for us that we may also. To enjoy this, to be delivered from the dominion of sin, the love of the world, and to have our hearts much set on things above, is true blessedness, and to a Missionary peculiarly needful. Let us also often think of that joyful period when we shall meet above around the throne of God, to join in singing the Saviour's worthy praise, without interruption, and without weariness through eternal ages, I am, &c.

J. CHATER.

Extracts from Periodical Accounts of the Baptist Mission, No. xxvii. just published.

Dinagepore. Mr. Fernandez, the worthy pastor of the Church there, writes, August 20, 1813, that he had nineteen persons under instruction, and that these, with the members of the church, and their children, make in the whole forty-five, who live within his premises. Nine of the above-mentioned persons were baptized within the next three months.

Goamalty. The journals of Mr. D'Cruz shew his diligence, and that his preaching makes some impression upon the minds of the people.

At Cutwa, a Mr. Albut, an assistant in the Indigo works, has been baptized by Mr. Wm. Carey, and has already began to preach the word in the surrounding villages. The five native brethren at this station are diligently employed.

In Jessore a considerable awakening appears to have taken place; many profess faith in Christ, but shew (says Mr. Thomas) some dread of persecution."

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The accounts from Serampore and Calcutta are pleasing. Several persons were baptized August and September 1813. In November they say, "five native brethren are now employed in Calcutta and its vicinity, all supported by different friends of the gospel here, and in England' The happy deaths of Dweep Chund, and Khrisna-dasa, afford fine specimens of the power of the gospel to support the mind in that solemn season. The death of Ram-boshoo, one of the first Hindoos who appeared to embrace the gospel, from the preaching of Mr. John Thomas, before the commencement of our Society, is very affecting. He wrote the Hymn, "Who besides can deliver us," &c but the Missionaries say of him, "Nothing could induce him to avow the Lord Jesus, the reason of which was ultimately but too apparent he had not parted with iniquity

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From Chittagong Mr. D'Bruyn writes, that he had baptized two persous, and that six persons had communed at the Lord's table. One of these, a Hindoo, in consequence of his putting on the Lord Jesus, had lost his situation, and with a family of six children was left destitute of employ

ment. Two native Preachers had visited Silhet, where the prospect is pleasing. Khrisna intended removing thither with his family.

At Digah in Hindoosthan, the school prospers, and contains 100 children. A native, named Vrinadavuaa, is remarkably active, though an old man, and almost deprived of sight by looking so much at the sun whilst a viragee.

Mr. Thompson appears to be very useful at Patna. He preaches at many different places, and circulates the scriptures and tracts in various languages.

From Agra, Messrs. Peacock and M'Intosh say there have been many enquirers of late for Sungskrit New Testaments; and that they appear to have excited a spirit of enquiry among learned Brahmuns.

The information from Mr. Chamberlain at Sirhana is of an encouraging nature. Mr. C. mentions with great pleasure the success which has attended the labours of the Rev. Mr. Corrie and Abdulla Meseeh at Agra.

The Schools in the Mahratta country prosper delightfully. Some of the native boys read the scriptures to their neighbours. It is hoped a church will soon be formed there.

Messrs. Carey and Judson go on well in the Burman Empire; and Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Reily, who has lately joined him, at Java, Mr. Peter is well employed in Orissa, and Mr. Chater at Ceylon.

We copy the following Resolution of the Annual Meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society, held at Kettering on the 4th of October, on account of its importance.

"That as those who have hitherto been most active in collecting for the Mission are becoming less capable of exertion, it be earnestly recominended to every minister of the denomination through the kingdom, who approves of the object, to do every thing in his power to promote it."

BIBLE SOCIETY.

Communication from the King of Persia, relative to the late Rev. H. Martyn's Translation of the New Testament into Persian.

From his Excellency Sir Gore Ousely, Bart. Ambassador Extraordinary from his Brittanic Majesty to the Court of Persia. Addressed to the

Right Hon: Lord Teignmouth, President of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

My dear Lord,

St. Petersburg, Sep. 20, 1814. Finding that I am likely to be detained here some six or seven weeks, and apprehensive that my letters from Persia may not have reached your Lordship. I conceive it my duty to acquaint you, for the information of the Society of Christians formed for the purpose of propagating the Sacred Writings, that, agreeably to the wishes of our poor friend, the late Rev. Henry Martyn, I presented in the name of the Soceity (as he particularly desired) a copy of his Translation of the New Testament in the Persian language to his Persian Majesty, Fatch Ali Shah Kajar, having first made conditions that his Majesty was to peruse the whole, and favour me with his opinion of the style, &c.

Previous to delivering the Book to the Shah, I employed Transcribers to make some Copies of it, which I distributed to Hajee Mahomed Hussien Khan, Prince of Maru, Mirza Abdulwahad, and other men of learning and rank immediately about the person of the King, who, being chiefly converts to the Soof Philosophy, would, I felt certain, give it a fair judgment, and if called upon by the Shah for their opinion, repert of it according to its intrinsic merits

The inclosed Translation of a Letter from His Persian Majesty, to me, will show your Lordship that he thinks the complete Work a great acquisition, and that he approves of the simple style, adopted by my lamented friend, Martyn, and his able co-adjutor, Mirza Seyed Ali, so appropriate to the just and ready conception of the sublime morality of the Sacred Writings. Should the Society express a wish to possess the original Letter from the Shah, or a Copy of it in Persian, I shall be most happy to present either through your Lordship.

I beg leave to add, that, if a correct Copy of Mr. Martyn's Translation has not yet been presented to the Society, I shall have great pleasure in offering one that has been copied, from and collated with the original left with me by Mr. Martyn, on which he had bestowed the greatest pains to render it perfect.

I also promise to devote my leisure

to the correction of the press, in the event of your thinking proper to have it printed in England, should my Sovereign not have immediate occasion for my services out of England.

1 beg you to believe me, My dear Lord, your Lordship's most sincere and faithful humble Servant,

GORE OUSELY.

Translation of His Persian Majesty's Letter, referred to in the preceding. In the Name of the ALMIGHTY GOD, whose Glory is most excellent, "It is our august command, that the dignified and excellent, our trusty, faithful, and loyal well-wisher, Sir Gore Ousely, Baronet, His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary (after being honoured and exalted with the expressions of our highest regard and consideration) should know, that the Copy of the Gospel, which was translated into Persian by the learned exertions of the late Rev. Henry Martyn, and which has been presented to us by your Excellency on the part of the high, dignified, learned, and enlightened Society of Christians, united for the purpose of spreading abroad the Holy Books of the Religion of Jesus (upon whom, and upon all Prophets, be peace and blessings!) has reached us, and has proved highly acceptable to our au gust mind."

"In truth, through the learned and and unremitted exertions of the Rev. Henry Martyn, it has been translated in a style most befitting Sacred Books, that is, in an easy and simple diction. Formerly, the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, were known in Persia; but now the whole of the New Testament is completed in a most excellent manner: and this circumstance has been an additional source of pleasure to our enlightened and august mind. Even the Four Evangelists, which were known in this country, had never been before explained in so clear and luminous a manner. We, therefore have been particulary delighted with this copious and complete Translation.

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Origin of the PARIS Bible Society.

THE REV. F. Leo, a German Minister, travelling on the continent, intended, about 3 years previous to the conclusion of the war, to pass through Paris on his way to England. Though he possessed a passport with which he could travel through every part of the French dominions, it was necessary to apply to the Minister of the Interior, for a passport to leave the Country; especially, as his destination was England. Application was accordingly made, and urged by the assurance that Mr. Leo had no civil or political connexion with England, and that he was travelling merely for religious purposes. All his applications, however, were in vain, and he soon found that it was not probable he would be permitted to leave the country while the war continued. He therefore determined to attempt the establishment of a Bible Society in Paris. After many difficulties and trials, by the blessing of God, and the aid of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and of other friends, he accomplished his design. About 1500 Protestant New Testaments, stereotyped, have been printed, the paper

* I beg leave to remark, that the word "Tilawat," which the Translator has rendered "read," is an honourable signification of that act, almost exclusively applied to the perusing or reciting the Koran. The making use, therefore, of this term or expression, shews the degree of respect and estimation in which the Shah holds the New Testament. Note by Sir Gore Ousely.

Vol. VII

and type of which are excellent, and are sold as low as 2 livres each, that is, 20 pence english, without the binding, and 3 livres each, that is, 2s. 6d. with it.

The good and great Alexander, when in Paris, presented the Society with 1000 livres, and promised 1000 more, to their projected Catholic Bible Society, when he should receive a copy of the Catholic Testament. The King of Prussia also gave 250 livres.

When at Frankford on the Main, Mr. Leo received, from the surviving heir of Martin Luther, legal authority to take the family name, and has now in his possession Luther's seals and the Psalm book which he carried in his Pocket.

As few of our religious friends who intend to visit Paris, would wish to return without leaving behind them some token of British Christian benevolence, we subjoin this good man's address-Rev. F. Leo, Rue et Hotel, Coquillere, Paris.

THERE are new Editions of the Bible now printing at Warsaw, Posen, Thorn, and Cracow. This has appeared the more necessary, as since the creation and aggrandizements of the Duchy of Warsaw, the Constitution of which has made the people free, more than 1000 parish schools have been built, and endowed by the liberality of the noble proprietors, to enlighten the respectable class of the industrious peasantry. These establishments have been made after a plan formed by the Commission of Public Instruction, under the Presidency of Count Stanislaus Potocki. The Provinces the most distant from Poland will be ready to do the same if they are permitted. Editions of the Bible are also making at Rorsemieniell, Wilna, in the Poloneze and Lithuanian languages; and even in Samogitia, in the language of the country. It is gratifying to the heart to hear of this progress to light; for it is the true and certain path to liberty and happiness.

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From Mr. Devisme.

Valenciennes, Oct. 20, 1814. I begin to hope that the minds of the People, being less occupied about politics, they will turn on the side of Religion. 1 design, if God should bless my labours, to do all that is in my power to contribute thereunto, by insisting more than ever, upon the sinful and miserable condition of man, in Adam, and in his state by nature, and on the great necessity he is under of applying by prayer and true faith to Jesus Christ, for justification and salvation in him and by him. To this end, I have since your departure studied the works of Dr. Doddridge, Mr. Bunyan, and the little Tracts you left in my hands, such as the "Three Dialogues between a Curate and one of his parishoners”- Dialogue between two Friends on Regeneration"

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A Message from God unto thee". "Serious Considerations"-" Duties and Doctrines of the Christian Religion"-Extracts from the Holy Scriptures," &c. &c. but I stand in need of a greater Number of these little works to distribute in the Churches in which I desire better to propagate the necessity of Faith in Jesus Christ. -If you would procure them and at others of the kind, to a certain quantity, you would greatly contribute to this good work.

Letters from France. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine.

I beg leave to submit for your insertion, if you judge proper, a Translation of the most interesting parts of

From Mrs. Devisme.

Oct. 22, 1814. I have always taken, and do still take a great part in the sorrows which you have experienced for a long time past in this world of misery and tribulations. May God by his grace soften them more and more, and give you at last much consolation, but while you are waiting for this happy moment, you enjoy many spiritual advantages which I, with my children, are de

prived of here at Valenciennes. Oh! that the happy Millennium days of which you speak, were arrived in France, then I should think myself and family happy indeed. But it is not here as in your country.

The Ministers of, the different churches respect each other, but they are not sufficiently agreed in the principal Truths of Religion to act in concert for the promotion of Christianity. We understand, however, that zeal revives a little among the Protestants as well as the Catholic Churches; by the latter of which we should have been persecuted, since the late events, if the new Government had ever so little seconded them. This however has not yet been done. We are pretty well satisfied with the manner in which the affairs of Religion are regulated. The civil code of Laws respecting births, marriages and deaths, are the same as before, and although the Catholic religion is declared to be the religion of the State, Worship in general is equally free and protected. The Protestant Ministers, as well as the Catholic Priests, have been for a long time without receiving any salary from the Government; but since the month of July they have both received for the last quarters in 1813, and the first in 1814. Mr. L'Archeveque, Pastor of the Reformed Church at Walincourt, on account of not having sent his Certificate in time, is perhaps the only one who has not received any thing for this year past, and who by his activity and talents has gained the confidence of all the surrounding churches.

We have just received a letter from our Son Jonathan at Genevre* he says that he is well in temporals and spirituals, and finds a real pleasure in the study of the Gospel, and that since he has began to pray from the abundance of his heart, he has enjoyed those delicious pleasures which contribute more and more to enable him

patiently to support the contradictions which we are all exposed to.

Extracts of a letter from New York, dated Aug. 22nd, 1814.

The writer of this letter is a young man; a native of Kettering, by trade a butcher, who for several years attended at our place of worship. In the summer of 1811 he went to America. While he was with us, there were no appearances of his being decidedly religious: but since his arrival at New York, he, his wife, and his wife's brother who went with him, have joined one of the baptist churches in that city. The letter has been lately received by his relations, and containing some interesting particulars, I have requested the favour of making extracts from it for the use of the Baptist Magazine. A. P.

"The Lord (he says) has been pleased greatly to bless the means of grace in this country, and to crown the labours of his servants with abundant success. I have read in a magazine, that at Richmond, where a playhouse was burnt down almost full of people, the Baptist church consists of twelve hundred members, two hundred of whom were added in one year; and that an aged minister, above seventy, baptized in February last, seventy persons in one day.

"Neither is New York without the same blessing, though not in so great a degree. We have frequently seen eight or nine baptized at a time. Our church consists of between four and five hundred members. On the first Lord's days in March and April, 1814, your unworthy brother and sister, William and Susanna V-, and two others, were baptized. Let those who have tasted the love of Jesus rejoice and be glad, and let strangers hear what the Lord has done for our souls, in placing us amongst the children of God. In May my brother T. G. was added to

* This Son of Mr. Devisme is at Genevre, taking his studies for the Christian Ministry. From the serious conversations I have had with him, and the spirit of his Letters, as well as from his exemplary life and conduct, I firmly believe him to be a truly pious young man and from his excellent abilities, he is likely to make a very useful Minister of the Gospel in France.

+ It seems that the conversations I had with him on the necessity of praying from the heart, without the use of the printed forms, (so universally adopted in France) and on the work of the Spirit, has produced a good effect upon his mind.

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