for the people to exert themselves to the utmost, to raise the money. Accordingly they were scattered abroad, some hewing wood, and sawing timber; others beating bark or burning charcoal, the smith, the wheelwright, the carpenter, &c.; all exerted themselves to comply with the demand upon themselves and their poorer relations; so that at the appointed time the tax was paid a sum amounting to three thousand six hundred rix dollars. The people having been able, in so short a time, to raise such a sum by their labour, will, I trust, convince the world that civilization has not been so much neglected at Bethelsdorp, as some have supposed. The day after the tax was paid, many people being together at Bethelsdorp, a regular Auxiliary Society was proposed and established. Twelve of the number were chosen to form a Committee, and subscriptions were immediately made. The number of subscribers is four hundred and fifty-two; and the sum subscribed nine hundred and thirty-eight rix dollars, about two hundred pounds, and more is expected. When this sum is collected, it is supposed that Bethelsdorp will be free of expense to the Missionary Society. Our school flourishes exceedingly; and 1 suppose that we have at least a thousand persons in want of Bibles, besides constant demands from farmers, &c. It would afford great satisfaction to the members of the Missionary and Bible Societies, to hear the number of Hottentot children reading the Bible as well as I can; who, ten months ago, did not know the alphabet. At present they cannot be supplied with Bibles to read to their aged parents at hhme."-Nor is this remarkable revival confined to Bethelsdorp. The flame soon spread through the other Missionary stations in South-Africa, from which the most interesting accounts are daily received to augment the fulness of our joy. New Missionary stations have been opened; others are in contemplation; and at the first general meeting of the Missionaries at Graaf-Rennet, the residence of Mr. Kicherer, six converted natives, Guiquas and Hottentots, have been solemnly set apart to the Christian ministry. On the next day, one of them, Waterbore, preached on Acts xix. 30, 31. The whole services were highly pleasing and impressive. Two hundred dollars were collected for the Missionary Society, and an Auxiliary Society was formed; twelve of the inhabitants of Graaf-Rennet were chosen Directors, and upwards of three hundred dollars were subscribed. Amongst the converted natives thus solemnly designated to the work of the ministry, Cupido, the waggon-driver of Mr. Campbell, when in Africa, seems to be the most distinguished. Mr. Read, speaking of that excellent man, who was then going to strengthen the hands of Mr. Anderson, in the Namaqua Country, observes, "The Lord, I believe, is preparing him for a great work. For the last four months, he has been in rotation with us, giving public instruction, and is generally so much affected that the tears are running down his cheeks. He enjoys peculiar nearness to Christ; says he has long seen him as his Prophet and Priest, but now he views him in his kingly office, with a crown upon his head, and possessing all power in heaven and upon earth. He preached yesterday from Matt. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, &c.; showing how the Gospel had spread in the world, and especially in Africa; and towards the conclusion he exhorted the brethren, particularly the younger, to activity and exertion." There is one fact that your Committee would particularly notice. It is well known that there is no description of human beings upon the globe, amongst whom fewer converts to the Christian faith have been made than the followers of Mahomet. The ministry of Cupido, however, has been blessed to the conversion of one at least, if not two, Mahometan priests. Here we have another striking instance how God is pleased to employ the feeblest means to bring to pass events of the greatest magnitude. What learning and philosophy, reason and eloquence, great talents combined with exalted piety could not effect, is at length accomplished by a converted Hottentot. That God, who tore up the foundations of idolatry throughout the Roman world, by the hands of the fishermen of Galilee; by the instrumentality of a converted Hottentot, has now laid the axe at the root of the empoisoned tree of Mahomet.

Your Committee close their review of the operations of the Parent Society, and take their leave of Africa, with observing that the Mission in that country produced, in one year, three hundred converts; and that if the present Missionaries were now called to rest from their labours, the good cause no doubt would still go on and prosper; and they entertain the most pleasing hope that in a few years the Gospel will spread through every part of that immense continent. Upon the whole, since the formation of the Bristol Auxiliary Society, the success of the present Institution has far exceeded their most sanguine expectations. But how extensive is the field that yet remains to be cultivated! After the lapse of eighteen hundred years, with an impassioned tone we must still repeat the words of our blessed Lord; "The harvest is truly great, but the labourers are few."

With pleasure your Committee recall to your remembrance the honour that was conferred on your Society during the last year by the ordination of three Missionaries in your city. The recollection of the joy, the extasy, and the strong Missionary feeling that was excited by that solemnity, is indelibly impressed on their hearts. They inform you that, during the last year, one thousand one hundred and one pounds, nineteen shillings, and seven pence, was received by your Treasurer, which has been transmitted to the Parent Society. They exceedingly rejoice in the progress of the Juvenile Missionary Society. And present their most grateful acknowledgments to the gentlemen, but especially the ladies, who have taken an active part in promoting its interests. They have now the melancholy task of recording the death of Mr. John Day, your gratuitous Assistant Secretary. A warmer friend to the Missionary cause does not exist. His consummate modesty threw a veil over the powers of his mind, and the other virtues of his heart. To know him was to love him, and they who knew him most loved him best. His removal hence forcibly reminds us of our own mortality, and the mortality of the poor Heathen. How many myriads of idolaters have passed into eternity since the formation of this Society! How many millions since the present Society was established in London, in 1795! "Let us labour while it is called to-day." The cross of Christ is the centre of our union; the superintendence of Divine Providence is our guide; and the salvation of the Heathen world, the reward of our labours. O God! direct our councils, and crown our feeble efforts with thy blessing, that the whole earth may soon be filled with thy glory! Amen.

1040

CHINESE SCRIPTURES.

THE unspeakable importance of widely circulating the word of God in the Chinese language, may, in some measure, be conceived of, by observing the vast extent of country through which the character in which it is written is known.

The late Dr. Buchanan, quoting Barrow's Travels in India, p. 615, says, "The Chinese character is understood from the Gulf of Siam to the Tartarian Sea, and over a very considerable part of the great Eastern Archipelago; and the Cochin Chinese use no other writing than the pure Chinese character, which is also the case with the Japanese." Evang. Mag.

OTAHEITE.

SEVERAL hymns have been composed in the Taheitan language, and some copies printed at Port Jackson, are in the hands of the natives; others are so desirous of obtaining the remaining copies, that they are ready to quarrel for them. "What an alteration (says one of the Missionaries) is this! Instead of drumming and dreadful howling, the praises of God are resounding from different quarters every evening.” "The

The following is the first verse of a hymn founded on Jer. x. 11.

gods have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and under these heavens."

Teie nei ta tatou,

Ehoama e hamaitai;

T'ioa mana, ioa matau

Te Atua no te rai.

CALEDON.

ib.

MR. Seidenfaden, in a letter dated at Caledon, May 21, 1815, informs the Directors that the affairs of that Missionary settlement go on prosperously. "In the course of this year," says Mr. S. "I have baptized twenty adults, and twenty more are candidates for baptism, in whose hearts I hope the Lord has begun a good work. The preaching of the word is well attended. Every evening I have more than 200 hearers, and on the Lord's days between 300 and 400. There are about forty or fifty in the school, many of whom begin to read well in the Bible, and have learnt a great many hymns by heart, which they sing at the beginning and end of the evening service. To see that they make so much progress gladdens my soul, for I perceive that the Lord is pleased to bless my labours."

We rejoice in the apparent prosperity of this new settlement, in which we see religion and civilization rapidly advancing, hand in hand. ib.

HOLLAND.

WE rejoice to hear of the activity of our Dutch friends. A branch of the Rotterdam Missionary Society is engaged in visiting the military hospitals, and distributing Dutch, German, English, and French Tracts. About 100,000 have already been distributed.

MISSIONARY SEMINARY IN SWITZERLAND.

ib.

By a letter from the Rev. Mr. Steinkopff, dated Stuttgart, Oct. 30, 1815, we are glad to find that the Missionary spirit revives in that country. Mr. S. says, "The Missionary spirit has much increased. Not only have many contributed their mites for the support of the Berlin seminary, but last summer our Basle friends, who are active and indefatigable in every work of faith and labour of love, have applied to their government to establish a Missionary seminary in their own town. Government have gladly granted them leave; several young men have applied to the Missionary Committee, which is now established at Basle, and consists of most worthy men, to be received into the seminary. A suitable inspector was then looked for, and the choice is fallen on the Rev. Mr. Blumhardt, a most worthy and truly pious clergyman, who translated_Mr. Begue's "Essay," and Dr. Buchanan's "Christian Researches." Our Basle friends have already collected about £400.; many Christian friends in Switzerland have promised their aid, and several merchants will give their annual subscriptions. ib.

DOMESTIC.

VERY interesting intelligence has lately been received in this City, concerning the work of the Holy Spirit in various parts of this and the neighbouring States, in awakening the attention of sinners to the concerns of their immortal souls. Great numbers have abandoned the ranks of irreligion and open rebellion against God, and united themselves to the

followers of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The following places in this State, are named as having been more especially favoured with the merciful visitations and quickening influences of Divine Grace; viz. Sagharbour, EastHampton, and Bridgehampton, on Long-Island; several places in Orange and Delaware Counties; the towns of Augusta and Troy. In all the Eastern States, particularly those of RhodeIsland, Connecticut, and Vermont, there appears to be a great movement in the Christian Churches. In the City of Philadelphia, and especially in the Northern Liberties, there has been a considerable awakening. We have also cause of praise to God for having, in some good degree, visited a part of this City with special tokens of his presence.

Of particulars concerning the above-mentioned revivals, we have not sufficiently authentic documents to warrant a relation of them. If any such are received, we shall feel much pleasure in publishing them. We may, however, soon expect highly interesting reports of the state of religion throughout the States, from the great Ecclesiastical Conventions, at their approaching annual sessions. With accounts coming through such channels especially, it will delight us to fill the pages of this publication, concerning the progress of the cause of Christ in our beloved country.

THE following lines are the production of a young Christian, at the age of 15.

BREAK forth, ye sighs, as well ye may ;
Fall fast, ye tears, from day to day:

For, cause indeed have I to mourn

With bitter pangs my heart is torn.

My soul is wearied out with care,
And dark despair.

A weary pilgrim here, I stray,

With nought to guide me on my way;
With not a ray of heavenly light
To lead my wand'ring feet aright.
Oh! shall I never, never find
Sweet peace of mind!

Blest Sun of Righteousness Divine,

Arise upon this soul of mine;

Take, take away this sinful heart,

And bid my doubts and fears depart.
Oh! purify my sin-sick soul,

And make me whole.

THE

CHRISTIAN HERALD.

VOL. I.]

Saturday, April 13, 1816.

[No. 3.

Ar the General Convention of Delegates from the Bible Societies in the United States, to be held in this City on the 8th of May next, the question respecting the expediency of establishing a National Bible Society for this country, will doubtless occasion some interesting discussion. The following Memoir was written with a view to throw some light on that important subject. The facts which it contains, are considered not only to have a material bearing upon that question, but to be of such a character as to make the communication of them to the public through the medium of this paper not unacceptable to the greater part of its readers. Any appropriate remarks on the subject which may be offered for insertion in the Christian Herald, will receive all due attention.

A Memoir on the subject of a general Bible Society for the United States of America.

In a country possessing as many Bible Societies as the United States, it cannot be necessary to prove, that every Christian is under an obligation to promote the universal diffusion of the sacred records of his religion. The obligation is felt and acknowledged; and if the efforts of American Christians to disseminate the Scriptures, have not been proportionate to their abilities, it has arisen from their ignorance of the great want of Bibles, and from a want of concert among themselves, in consequence of the plan they have unfortunately adopted, of establishing independent local Bible Societies.

To convince the Christians of America that greater exertions are necessary than have hitherto been made, and to induce them to adopt a new system for the direction of their exertions, by showing the utter inefficacy of their present system, is the object of the following Memoir.

Το

prove that greater exertions are necessary, it will be sufficient to show,