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are tolerably quiet; the arms of the Company are victorious every where, and almost the whole of India is prostrate at our feet. But the cholera morbus, which raged so dreadfully last year throughout India, has again made its appearance on this island, and swept away a great number of the natives, as well as some Europeans. It is afflicting to hear, in the stillness of the night, the lamentations and howlings of the poor creatures, on all sides, bewailing the loss of one or more members of their families; to see the dead bodies carried along the streets, while the attendants loudly invoke Ramu or Narayan, or some other of their gods; and to be present at the place of burning, where large fires are fiercely blazing, the devouring element consuming its dreadful meal of human bones and flesh; while corpse after corpse is brought in, till the ground is strewed with the dead! I heard of a very afflicting case that occurred a few days ago: a young man, while performing the last sad offices for his mother, was seized with the disorder, and on being carried home, in a few hours died; his sister, the only remaining member of the family, was attacked about the same time, and expired shortly after her brother. So that within the short space of six or seven hours, mother, son, and daughter, who were all in good health in the morning, were consigned to the flames! A village to the southern extremity of the island, where the disorder had been very prevalent for some days, is totally forsaken, the remaining inhabitants having packed up their goods and left it in a body, to escape the contagion; only one or two priests remaining behind to take care of the gods. One circumstance makes it remarkable, namely, that the village is generally considered, by the Hindoos, as the most sacred place in Bombay, and where the Hindoo religion is observed in the greatest purity. Strange! that they should retain an attachment to the worship of gods who cannot protect them, and whom they are obliged to desert to save their lives!

The death of so many of our fellow-men, considered merely as a natural evil, is an event calculated to fill one's mind with a solemn and awful fearfulness. But when it is considered, in addition, that every death introduces an immortal spirit into an eternal world, from whence there is no return; that the great part of them die without a knowledge of the true God, without faith in Christ, without the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost, and without the blessed hope of eternal life, as revealed in the gospel; the idea be

comes overwhelming. Though I do not, I cannot, believe, that God will condemn to everlasting misery every heathen for not applying to a Saviour of whom he never heard, and not believing a gospel which he never was at all acquainted with, yet the general depravity of the Hin. doos is such, and in many particular instances manifested in such direct opposition to reason and conscience, (to say nothing of revelation,) that it makes one tremble to look forward and calculate what must be their future condition. O! who would not run, and "stand between the living and the dead," that the dreadful plague of sin might be stayed?-direct the languid eyes of the dying pagan to Jesus the Great High Priest of our profession-and "beseech him to be reconciled to God," lest God remain his adversary to all eternity? 1 feel more and more the great importance and responsibility of my situation as a Missionary to the heathen, and the necessity of scrupulous faithfulness, and undaunted fortitude, in communicating with them; and whenever a funeral passes by it makes me ask myself the question, What have I done for the salvation of that soul, which has now entered on its eternal state of happiness or misery? Have I, through fear of men, or in hope of his favour, kept back the words of eternal life, and refused to give warning when I saw the sword of Divine vengeance coming? and will the unhappy sinner rise up against me in the last day, and accuse me of having seen him "drawn unto death, and ready to be slain," and yet forbearing to point out to him the way of deliverance? O! may the honour of God, and the salvation of immortal souls, be always upper most in my thoughts, and have the principal place in my desires.

The treatment which a Missionary meets with from the people, is seldom from two persons alike; some will oppose with a degree of rancour that appears to border on personal enmity; others manifest a great deal of supercilious contempt for him, as if he were attempting some ridiculous innovations; while a third sort, the most troublesome of all, receive every thing in very good part, and think themselves bound to tell some tale of Krishna or Ramu, &c. by way of compliment, in return for a description of the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, and the work of human redemption wrought out by him. It is so difficult to fix any thing on their minds of a religious nature! Often have they acknowledged to me the superiority of the Christian religion over theirs; "but our's," they say, "is good enough for us, why should we want a better?

Are all your five fingers of the same length?" Sometimes, however, I have perceived with pleasure, a readiness in them to enter on religious conversation, with a degree of attention and candour. This I consider at present my forte, hav. ing by practice at home and abroad, acquired such a facility in the language, and in the modes and phrases of speech, as to understand, and make myselfunderstood, by either the Brahmin or the

Shoodru indifferently; for which progress I feel thankful to God, the giver of every good gift.

Owing to the present sickness, my schools have suffered a slight diminution in point of numbers; in every other respect they are the same as mentioned in my last letters; the boys learn well, and the teachers, though Brahmins, are under my controal.

MADRAS.-From Mr. LYNCH we learn the pleasing intelligence of the opening of the New Chapel at Royapettah, near Madras, and the commencement of a Missionary Society. He writes, Madras, March 23, 1819:

By the grace of God we have at last so far succeeded as to finish our little chapel; and as a brief account of the whole proceedings may be the best apology which I can make for my conduct in going to such expenses, I send you the following plain statement. On my arrival in Oct. 1817, I found the society reduced to 12 persons. I believed it to be my duty, however inconvenient for myself, to live as near them as possible, and by every possible means to strengthen and unite them, and also to give all others with whom I had any intercourse a knowledge of our doctrines and discipline. After a few months our little cause began to revive, and in February, 1818, I received a pressing invitation to take a house in Royapettah, about three miles south of the town of Madras. After a month or two I took charge of the Free School, and one evening, without my intimating any thing of the business, a few friends subscribed 100 pagodas for the purchase of premises. Brother Clough, and a few other friends, as well as myself, looked upon the whole as a singular Providence, that a house and ground, every way suitable for us, was to be sold. The purchase was accordingly made. When this was known,several gentlemen said, "You must build a chapel on that excellent situation;" and before I gave my consent I had nearly 250 pagodas promised. After much deep anxiety of mind I began, and believing that the school and chapel united, would have a good effect on the publick mind, I published an address, and solicited

assistance.

On the first of January last, a friend put a paper into my hand, stating the propriety of forming a Methodist Missionary Society at Madras. I was rather apprehensive that it was premature; but fearing to discourage such zeal and good will,

I agreed to hold a meeting for that parpose on the first Monday of February, when a tolerable congregation assembled.

On the 17th instant, we held our first monthly meeting, and found nearly 70 pagodas were in the Treasurer's hand, including donations and subscriptions; and that already we have subscriptions to the amount of nearly 20 pagodas per month, (£8. 15s. at the present rate of exchange,) and now that we shall not have house-rent to pay, this sum will considerably lighten our expences. The chapel was opened on Sunday the 7th instant; at half past nine A. M. the Rev. Mr. Rhenius performed service in Tamul to a good congregation, many of whom were heathens, and all seemed deeply interested. At half past six P. M. our English service commenced; Mr. Rhenius read the evening service according to the order of the Established Church; the Rev. Mr. Hands, of the London Mission, prayed; I then preached on Mark xvi. 15, 16: after which we made a collection. The Rev. Mr. Loveless then prayed, and after the people arose from their knees, he sung the dismission hymn, and pronounced the blessing. Besides these brethren, who most kindly assisted, there were also present the Rev. Mr.Flemming, of the London Society; the Rev. Messrs. Schmydd and Barenbruck, of the Church Mission; and also a brother of the Baptist Society, who that very evening arrived at Madras; so that there were in all eight Missionaries present. Our brethren and sisters sung exceedingly well.

I have hope that our school will be productive of good. I have an English and a Malabar school at the Missionplace, containing about 50 children; and a Native school at a place called the Mount, five miles distant.

Mr. Lynch, in a letter of more recent date, states, that he had also fitted up a small chapel in Madras itself. Mr. Close is about to proceed to his assistance, and in the mean time, he is assisted by Mr. Robam, a local preacher, and by a native youth, who reads and converses with the natives.

NEW SOUTH WALES.-The following Extract of a Letter from Mr. Lawrey, dated Sydney, June 2, 1819, refers to letters of an earlier date, as containing more detailed accounts from this Mission. They have not, however, yet arrived; and we therefore give the following passages, which though general, present encouraging views of the progress of this important Mission.

We stated in former letters that we were building two chapels at Sidney, and one at Windsor. I have now to add, that one is begun at Castlereagh, and we hope shortly to be able to erect one at Parramatta. Our prosperity we will not boast of, but are thankful that our congregations are much on the increase, and our classes more and more lively. At Sydney we have a flourishing Sunday School, and are likely to prosper in our efforts to reclaim manyofthe strayed sheep. We requested you to send us a reinforcement of Missionaries also, one more for this place, and one for Van Deimen's Land; for the latter station one is much wanted, there being 6000 British sub

jects. We have nothing discouraging, but many pleasing prospects of good.

For some years we must look to the Mission Fund for a part of our supplies; but I am firmly persuaded these years will not be many; the people are happy to hear us, and some of them will receive the truth as it is in Jesus; and having our chapels finished, we shall be able to accommodate those who wish, but cannot attend our ministry.

Brother Leigh, agreeably to the request and advice of the Rev. Samuel Marsden, and many other of his friends, has taken a voyage to New Zealand, partly for the recovery of his health; we expect him evey day at Port Jackson again."

SIERRA LEONE, Africa.-We deeply regret to state the death of Mr.GILLISON, at this station. The season has been, it appears, uncommonly sickly for Europeans, and many have been taken away. Mr. BAKER had been seriously ill, but was recovering; Mr. Gillison's illness terminated fatally, and has bereft that station and the church of an excellent and very promising Missionary.

Extraet of a Letter from Mr. BAKER, dated Free Town, Aug. 20, 1819. As soon as my extreme weakness permits, I take up my pen to write you the melancholy intelligence of the death of my worthy colleague, Mr. Gillison, who departed this life, in the full assurance of faith, Aug. 10th, at half past ten, P. M just after we had been commending his soul to God. I myself have had a very severe attack of fever, from which I did not expect to recover; and at present am but just getting about from a relapse, occasioned by my last Sunday's labour. I preached brother Gillison's funeral sermon, which quite overpowered me.

two dear friends meeting who had long been separated. I immediately asked, Is Jesus precious to you? He directly answered, "Yes, glory be to God he is." We spent a little time in talking of the love of our Immanuel, in which he joined with the utmost rationality; when presently after I found his delirium sensibly increased, and in a short time his reason was quite gone.

On Thursday, July 29, my departed colleague had to bury a corpse in the evening, and another next morning; and in the afternoon he went to Congo Town and preached; in the evening, after returning, he went to bed rather poorly; but before morning he was seized with fever. For seven days he retained his reason: and on the eighth, in the morning, understanding that he gave signs of approaching delirium, I got myself assisted, weak as I was, into his room, as I much wished to inquire into the state of his feelings. When I came, he would be helped up in bed, and we seemed like

I asked him next morning, during a short interval of reason, if he knew any thing of the preceding day; he said it was as though he had slept. I again inquired, and found him happy in God, and prepared for his will; and in all the intervals of reason he had afterwards, he expressed himself in the same manner. On Tuesday morning I was so much recovered, that, by the advice of the surgeon I took a short ride to Mr. Nichol's. During my absence Mr. Gillison became more composed. The surgeon ordered him a smail dose of bark every hour; but this was the last struggle for life; in an hour all his bad symptoms returned. At length he went off so easy we could not distinguish his last breath. Thus died my worthy and affectionate colleague,

and one of Christ's faithful ministers. His loss is much lamented by all the congregations to whom he preached. He was an acceptable preacher to this people, and was much respected and beloved by them. His remains were interred on the following

day. I went to chapel and performed that part of the service, but the rain was so heavy I could not possibly proceed to the yard, when the Rev. Mr. Renner kindly officiated for me.

FORMATION OF MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
GIBRALTAR.-Extract of a Letter from Mr. REES, dated Sept. 4, 1819.

for this blessed work. The consequence
was, that on Wednesday I had, to my great
astonishment, no less than 70 collectors.
The plan has been well received by the
garrison, and has had the sanction of
several officers, who have become sub-
scribers. The result must be left to the
great Head of the Church, in whose name
it was begun. Our worthy friend Cap-
tain Tripp, has entered most heartily into
the spirit of this blessed work. Mr. Pine
and Captain Tripp are appointed Trea-
surers.

I am happy to inform you that I have been successful in setting a Missionary Society on foot on this barren rock. On Sunday I mentioned my intention from the pulpit in the public congregation, that I had it in view to form an Auxiliary Missionary Association, in aid of the Methodist Missionary Society in London, for propagating Christianity in the world, but particularly among the heathen. I solicited them to come on Wednesday, when I would issue cards to all who were desirous of becoming collectors Extract of a Letter from the Rev. W. WORTH, dated Weymouth, Oct. 20, 1819. On Wednesday, Oct. 13, a Meeting PHILUS LESSEY, and JOHN Appleyard ; was held in Portland, and on Thursday, together with the Rev. Dr. CRACKNELL, the 14th, at Weymouth, to form Metho- an Independent Minister, and the Rev. dist Missionary Societies for this Circuit. Mr. JONES, a Baptist Minister, assisted The Rev. WALTER Griffith was in the on these occasions. The congregations chair. Much interest was excited by were large, and the collections at the statements of the wretched condition of different services amounted to £30: the heathen, and the success which has several also gave in their names as subalready attended the means employed for scribers, and some as collectors, to whose their instruction and conversion. The zeal we hope such a stimulus is given, as Rev. THOMAS WOOD, one of the Secre- will be productive of much aid to the taries of the Bristol Auxiliary Society; funds of the institution. the Rev. Messrs. THOMAS ROGERS, THEO

Contributions to the Missionary Fund, received by the General Treasurers since the account published last month.

Monies received at the Mission House, London, not included in the account of any

District Society.

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THE INCARNATION,
LONG had the voice of prophecy foretold
Messiah's advent. "Unto us is born
A son; a child to us is given. On him
Shall lie the rule of nations: and his name
Shall be, the Wonderful, the Counsellor,
The mighty God, the everlasting Sire,
The Prince of Peace. His government and peace
Shall still increase for ever. He shall sit
On David's throne, and kingdom evermore.
With judgment and with justice, he shall sway
His righteous sceptre: all shall he order,
All establish firm. I, the Lord, have said,
And will perform my word." On earth was
known

Heaven's high determination. Joy was felt
By those who waited for salvation here.
Prophets and kings desired to see the day,
Which should elucidate the great design,
Unveiling to the feeble view of man,
The Deity. The promise made by God,
They knew would be fulfilled. Firm as a rock
It stood; sure as eternity. Their minds
In contemplative frame, oft viewed by faith,
The glory which should follow-Messiah
Ruling all. Earnestly they prayed to see
This happy season, but they prayed in vain.
Revolving suns and seasons now brought near
The incarnation of the Son of God.
His chosen people sought to see their king;
And eagerly expected he would now
Appear in all his glory, and with might
And majesty, exalt their favoured land,
And place them on the pinnacle of power,
And universal monarchy. Attent
They heard each whisper which concerned
their prince;

And watched each personage of note; that they
Might first ingratiate themselves with him.

Thus when a mariner, whose ship the winds And waves have wrecked, and left him but a boat,

Watches for land, and thinks he spies it now:
He spreads his sail to reach the hoped-for shore:
But when arrived at this expected land,
He finds 'tis only clouds-the shadow's gone-
'Tis fled-he's still at sea. So was it here.

But while the worldly sought among the
great

For God's Messiah; he in Bethlehem
Was humbly born. The Saviour of mankind
Appeared in poverty, in human shape.
A servant's form he took, tho' destined soon
To pay th' enormous debt of all our sin.
His glory he laid by: his Deity
He hid behind the veil of human flesh.
A tender infant he-a helpless babe,
Although omnipotent-Ancient of days.

In heaven the melody of cherubim
And seraphim increased. Afresh they tuned
Their harps symphonious, and higher raised
Their voices, praising the eternal Father
For his amazing love to fallen man.

The heavenly host with all their power com-
bine,

VOL. XLII. DECEMBER, 1819.

To bless and praise the God of love. Louder
And louder still the concert rose, till He
Spoke to a seraph nearest to his throne,
And bade him go to earth, and there make
known

To those few shepherds, near to Bethlehem,
What he had done. The winged messenger,
Swift passed the radiant hosts, and reached
the gates:

A multitude soon followed in his train.
And now the air about the shepherds glowed
With heavenly glory, as the angel band
Came down from heaven. The shepherds,
terrified,

Grew pale, and trembled at the awful sight.
To them it seem'd all heaven was come to
earth.

Around them shone, the light ethereal,
With dazzling blaze, "Fear not," the seraph
said,

"Behold, glad tidings of great joy I bring
"To you, and all the fallen race of man.
"In David's city, Bethlehem, is born
"This day, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
"And this shall be your sign, the babe you'll
find

"Wrapp'd round with swaddling-clothes;
and, mark it well,

"Not in a mansion, but a manger laid."
This said, the seraph ceased, and now the host
Of angels which attended him from heaven,
Broke out in praise to God: each vied with
each

To sing with sweetest melody, and tune
Their softest notes upon their golden harps.
" All glory in the highest be to God;
"On earth be peace, towards all men good
will."

With songs like these the angel-band retire
Singing to heaven: swiftly they join their
mates,

And all in one exalted chorus laud
Jehovah's name. The hymning cherubim
Tried their best strains: With sweetest melody
They struck their lyres sonorous, chanting soft
Heaven's choicest songs. The music echoing

ran

Through all the ethereal vault, and ecstacy
Filled each angelic breast: such happiness
They ne'er had felt, as now their souls inspired.
Enraptured were the shepherds when they
heard

Angelic voices sing, and praise their God:
For such melodious notes were ne'er before
Sounded in mortal ear. They listened long
To catch the flying sound: they heard it far
Reverberating through the air. And when
The angels had retired, to take their seats
Again in heaven, still they kept listening.
The music long resounded in their ears.
At length, recovered from their ecstacy,
They wondered at this deed-then all fell down,
And humbly blessed their God-then rose,
and thus

On what devolved on them to do advised;
*5 S*

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