devout aspirations of praise to one common Saviour. In contemplating the past, or anticipating the future, we should never lose sight of the thousand difficulties which are inseparably entwined with the commencement of all great undertakings. Here they were vast in number, appalling in magnitude, and formidable from duration. All was new, and all was difficult. Superstition was to be encountered-prejudice to be overcomethe effects of climate to be endured-the language to be learnt-manners and customs to be observed-habits investigated the lethargic to be roused-the ignorant to be instructed-and, in short, the mind is to be taught to think, to reason, and to adore. Well might the experience of the early missionaries induce them to exclaim, with all the intensity of feeling which the expression indicates, "Lord, who is sufficient for these things?" Knowledge, faith, patience, and perseverence, the four cardinal virtues of the missionary character, were never more necessary, and never more tried, than at the outset of these Christian labours. The result was experience, and that experience, under the Divine blessing, bas, in many instances, been crowned with suc mon schools established in various parts of the colony of Sierra Leone, the Church Missionary Society has adopted, at the suggestion of the governor, the plan of a Christian Institution, for giving a superior education to a number of African youths of suitable abilities, with a view of preparing them for benefactors and teachers of their countrymen. This establishment was lately opened at Regent's Town, and contained twenty-six pupils, from the age of twelve to eighteen, and many of them of very promising characters. The Committee of this excellent Society, considering the insalubrity of the climate to European constitutions, and the great expenditure of valuable lives that the enlightening of Africa, under the most favourable circumstances, must require, justly conclude that the work should be transferred as soon as practicable to native labourers. "A few able Europeans may, therefore, (they observe) by devoting themselves to the superintendence of seminaries or colleges of native youths, in their own countries, both save a great expenditure of the lives of European teachers, and contribute to a more rapid advancement of Christianity among the heathen." A late examination of some of these youths was highly satisfactory; Among the various means employed for and the Rev. Mr. Johnson, their principal accomplishing this grand object, which instructor, fis sanguine in his hopes respectjudgment approves, and time has sanction- ing them; but the zeal of the committee is ed, are the instruction of the rising gene-wisely tempered by prudence. They feel ration, and the supplying the wants thus created with suitable intellectual and spiritual food, through the medium of the press. Wherever, therefore, a new station is established, the institution of a school for the instruction of the native children, in their vernacular tongue, is the first care of the experienced missionary; and the wisdom of the plan needs no comment. Few can misapply the new powers this gives them; and the number of excellent men, who annually sink beneath the influence of climate, demonstrates the importance of substituting native teachers, whose constitutions protect them from such casualties. Before Africa, for instance, can be evan. gelized, legions of native instructors must be employed; but this is a measure that has already had its commencement. cess. The superior schools and colleges, which have lately been erected in different parts of the world, and devoted to this purpose, constitute a new and memorable era in the history of missionary labours. Besides the seminaries belonging to the London and Church Missionary Societies, the universities of this country, the institutions at Basle, and in other parts of Europe, with those in America, where European and American missionaries are qualified for future useful ness, there are others in Asia, Africa, and Australasia, designed for the instruction of pative teachers, In addition to the com that the minds of Africans must be raised to a much higher standard before they can be considered as competent instructors of their countrymen, and that it will be by a gradual progress only that they can be prepared, "first to maintain, in the colony, the influence due to cultivated and enlarged minds, and then to exercise that influence among their countrymen in the interior, in extending the blessings of civilized and Christian life." When this can be accomplished, the dark shades which still envelope so great a portion of Africa, will be dispersed by the light of that day which has already began to dawn upon some of its benighted regions. Another institution, which appears to be the embryo of incalculable good to the eastern world, is the ANGLO-CHINESE COLLEGE, lately erected at Malacca. It owes its origin to the Rev. Dr. Morrison, the distinguished Chinese scholar, who has done so much towards rendering the peculiar language of that singular people accessible to his countrymen, as well as for placing the sacred volumes within reach of the Chinese. The building was begun in the. autumn of 1818, and completed near the close of 1820, when the work of instruction commenced. The objects of the institution are the Promotion of Literature, and the Diffusion of Christianity over the extensive and populous countries beyond the Ganges. | The former of these objects embraces the reciprocal cultivation of Chinese and European literature. Successfully to combat the prejudices of eastern nations, consecrated as they are, by time, and sanctioned by example, it is necessary to be well acquainted with their store of facts, their principles and demises, together with their modes of thinking and reasoning. The progress of some of these people in the path of civilization, the pertinacity with which they cling to ancient customs, the subtility of their arguments, and the opinions they entertain of other nations, render the knowledge which the mutual cultivation of eastern and western literature is capable of supplying, essential in removing objections, detecting error, and conveying more correct information to the mind. THE TRUSTEES OF THE COLUM- Congress, and promising to have an extensive national influence, relies solely on iBdividual liberality for patronage and support. To this liberality the trustees earnestly appeal; and, to render the Institution as extensively useful as possible, they have resolved, by unanimous consent, to send out to Europe the Rev. ALVA WOODS, professor of mathematics and natural philosophy, for the purpose of procuring a complete philosophical apparatus, rare and valuable books for the library, and promoting the interests of the College, as circumstances shall encourage. He will solicit aid by the donation of funds, or in such other ways as may be found convenient and proper. Nor are the trustees without hope that their friends in Great Britain will cheerfully assist them in so enlarged and useful an undertaking: especially as it will be recollected that our existence, our language, our civilization, our moral and religious sentiments, are derived from England;-and that to the same source we are indebted for our progress in the arts and sciences, for our jurisprudence, and for our civil institutions. Whilst these recollections awaken sentiments of filial and profound respect, the trustees experience great satisfaction, and find themselves animated with a lively confidence, as they reflect on that bounteous munificence which has so long and so honourably distinguished the British from all other nations, and to which so many of the benevolent institutions in the world owe their existence. To promote the cause of learning and virtue in this infant country, the COLUMBIAN COLLEGE, upon a liberal and extensive scale, has been established. About fifty acres of land have been purchased, embracing a lofty eminence on the northern boundary of the City of Washington, commanding a beautiful and extensive prospect Under these impressive circumstances, of the river Potomac, and of the towns and Professor WOODS is respectfully recomcountry around. On these premises, a sub-mended to the favourable countenance and stantial brick edifice has been erected, one kind attentions of the British public, as a hundred and seventeen feet by forty-seven, gentleman worthy of confidence and consifive stories high, including the basement and deration; and he is hereby authorized in attic, calculated for the accommodation of the name of the trustees of the Columbian one hundred students, besides apartments College in the district of Columbia, to refor the steward, halls, and public rooms.ceive such contributions and aids as may Two dwelling-houses have, also, been erected for professors; and it is the intention of the Trustees, as soon as practicable, to proceed to the erection of the main College edifice, large enough to accommodate three or four hundred students, besides other buildings necessary for the establish ment. This College was incorporated by an act of Congress the 9th of February, 1821, and has received the unqualified recommendation of the president of the United States, and the Principal ministers of the State. Its classical operations commenced the 9th of January, 1822, under the care of the Rev. WILLIAM Staughton, D.D. President, with six Professors, two Tutors, and thirty students. The number of students has already been augmented, and a considerable increase is anticipated by the beginning of the ensuing year. This Institution, although incorporated by be offered. All donations will be duly re- COLUMBIAN COLLEGE IN THE DISTRICT OF O. B. BROWN, President of the ENOCH REYNOLDS, Secretary, The Professors of the Theological Institution at Andover, Mass. have been pleased to make the following Statement respecting the Columbian College, in the District of Columbia. To the friends of learning and religion we beg leave to say, that we have consider ed the establishment of the Columbian | College in the district of Columbia, as an event of great importance, and as likely to be of extensive and lasting utility to the best interests of men. We entertain a high respect for the president of the College, and for those generally who are its guardians and supporters. With the young gentlemen who have been appointed as professors, we have had opportunity to become particularly and very intimately acquainted; and we are happy in being able to say, that we have formed an opinion altogether in their favour; that we think their appointment to these offices very judicious; and that we feel great satisfaction as to their talents and their literary acquisitions, the soundness of their religious opinions, their sincere attachment to the cause of Christ, and their disposition to discharge, with diligence and fidelity, the arduous duties of the stations to which they are called. It is our earnest desire that this infant but promising Institution may enjoy extensive and liberal patronage, and may soon be furnished with a library and funds adequate to its objects as a Seminary of learning and piety! and above all, that it may enjoy the favour of him, whose blessing gives success to every great and good design. E. PORTER, Theological Seminary, Andover, Sept. 25, 1821. LITERARY NOTICES. In the Press. GRANGER'S BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND, from Egbert the Great to the Revolution: consisting of Characters disposed in different Classes, and adapted to a methodical Catalogue of engraved British Heads; intended as an Essay towards reducing our Biography to System, and a help to the knowledge of Portraits; interspersed with a variety of Anecdotes, and Memoirs of a great number of Persons, not to be found in any other Biographical Work: with a Preface, showing the utility of a collection of Engraved Portraits, to answer the various purposes of Medals. The fifth edition in 6 vols. 8vo. with the addition of nearly four hundred New Lives, communicated expressly for this Work to the late Mr. William Richardson, by Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford; David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes; Sir William Musgrave, Bart.; James Bindley, Esq., and several other celebrated Collectors and Antiquaries. A few copies will be printed in royal 8vo. and a few in folio, to accommodate those who may be inclined to illustrate the Work; and as the impression is limited to a very small number, early application is recommended. Subscribers' names received by W. Baynes and Son, Paternoster Row; and S. Baynes and Co. Edinburgh; and all other Booksellers. A New Geographical, Historical, and Religious Chart; showing at one view the principal places in the known world! the prevailing religions, form of government, degrees of civilization and population, together with the missionary stations in each country. By the Rev. T. Clark. IN THE PRESS-Travels in the Northern States of America, particularly those of New England and New York. By TIMOTHY DWIGHT, S.T.D. L.L.D. late President of Yale College; author of a System of Theology, &c. Reprinted from the American edition, with illustrative maps. This work may justly be regarded as a desideratum on this side the Atlantic. The Travels of Professor Dwight exhibit a comprehensive and perspicuous account of the great, natural, and artificial features of the regions which were visited by the author; of their Mountains, Rivers, and Lakes;their Topography and Natural History ;their peculiarities of climate and soil;-the general situation and character of the inhabitants;—their Civil, Political, Literary, and Religious Institutions ;—their original Settlement; remarkable events which have occurred within their limits; the Lives and Characters of many distinguished individuals; the origin, character, and manners of the Indian Tribes, together with remarkable facts relative to their history, &c. The work will consist of four volumes octavo, about five hundred pages each volume, and will be printed to correspond in type and paper, with his popular work on Theology. INFORMATION REQUESTED. AN intelligent foreigner, from the interior of Germany, in conversation with the Editor of this Magazine a few days ago, asked the following question: "How many churches or congregations are there in London of the Baptist denomination?" The answer returned was, "I really do not know exactly, but I should imagine not less than FIFTY.' The reply seemed to excite no little surprize, if it were not deemed incredible and the Editor has, since then, endeavoured to enumerate such of them as come within 39 the compass of his own knowledge-the result has been a full confirmation of his first answer. He is aware, however, that there must be many societies of this description which are unknown to him, in this immense city and its suburbs; and he will hold himself much obliged to any of his more intelligent readers, who will have the kindness to help him to such information as may enable him to correct his list, specifying the name of the street in which the congregation assembles, with that of the pastor or officiating minister. 360 Original Poetry. For the New Evangelical Magazine. SONNET. "We all do fade as a leaf.” Erewhile, I saw yon stately grove In verdure's vivid freshness clad, And lov'd beneath its shade to rove, Whilst all around was bright and glad; But now 'tis riven, and desolate and sad. The yellow leaf, once green and fair, Now sleeps upon the water's bed, Now drifted by the stormy air, No more shall lift its pallid head, Its vital lymph and youthful bloom are fled. So mortals fade-in vernal hue Healthy and strong they now appear; And now, like autumn leaves, bestrew The ground, all weak, and pale, and sear; Death quickly rounds life's little circling "This mortal must put on immortality.” Behold frail man laid prostrate in the groundThe roses faded from his sunken cheek, And worms voracious seizing now their prey, Their vengeance thus in revelry to reek On him, tho' mighty once, than worms more weak, That form so marr'd, shall at the trumpet's sound But, Ob! how chang'd! no trace shall then be found That aught of earthly dross shall e'er bespeak- Bright as the sun's meridian cloudless day, THE TRIUMPH OF JESUS. A HYMN, By the Reverend John Lawson, Missionary at Calcutta, and author of "ORIENT HARPING," and "Woman in Iudia." "For the battle is the Lord's." 1 Sam. xvii. 47. 1. Hark! 'tis the warlike clarion, On to the battle, heroes on! To arms! to arms! resounds on high, 2. Haste to the battle, see the Lord Waves to the clouds his conquering sword! 3. High on the winds the flag unfurl'd, To arms! To arms! was once the cry, 5. Lo! the white war-horse treads them down,* REFLECTIONS OF A FATHER ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD; Affectionately inscribed to Mr. J. Ellyett, of Portsea, on the departure of his beloved son, George, an amiable and pious youth, of much promise. Debemur morti nos nostraque. HOR. And live in heav'n, unutterably blest. And gain'd in youth the inestimable prize. Bright thou dost shine, a never-fading gem. Borne on life's boist'rous sea, and daily pain'd, This thought shall chase the sorrows of my heart Thou, thou, my much-lov'd, son, the port hast gain'd, And I shall meet thee there no more to part. My God! before whose throne I humbly kneel, I pray thee let this boon to me be giv'nHenceforth to think, and act, and hourly feel, As one whose heart and treasures are in heav'n. And when the solemn hour of life shall come, That summons to the tomb this mortal frame; O then, on angels' pinions, bear me home, And gather me with those who love thy name. Southampton. B. H. D. * Rev. vi. 2. LINES ON THE DEATH OF MRS. W. And pain and sorrow known no more; } But hark! methinks some groans I hear, |
