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butter from one woman's churn to another woman's dairy; and all by the cunning of spells and cantrips. That such marvels in nature and humanity should exist in the broad daylight of this enlightened age, and yet so little be known about them by the millions who devour monthly articles, is a fact scarcely credible. Fraser's Magazine.

SUPERSTITIONS OF THE KALMUKS. Here, hang a number of distorted representations of their divinities on the walls; there, is reverentially preserved a brazen idol, cast for their principal god, who is generally represented as a female, like many others among them, and often with four or six arms, and similar hideous deformities of shape. In another place lie piled in chests their sacred writings, obtained from Mongolia or Thibet, and which are intelligible, or rather legible, to none but the initiated; that is to say, their High-Priest or Lama, and the officiating Minister or Gellong. Their religious service, too, judging from what I had an opportunity of observing, is in no respect more elevating. The Priests seat themselves in the kibitka. with their legs bent under them, and the soles of their feet turned upwards, or, as the Mongolians express it, in sceptre fashion, so as to be ranged in two lines opposite to each other from the entrance. In this posture they remain, as immovable as statues, and chant or sing their prayers on a sort of rosary, interrupted from time to time by the harsh discordant tones of a peculiar kind of brazen cornets, accompanied with the clang of kettledrums and cymbals, and the deep but clear bass notes of two straight wooden trumpets, six feet long; which latter, however, I only saw introduced in the elegant stone church built at Astrakhan, by the Kalmuk Chief. As for the laity of even the same khatun only taking a part in the daily worship of their gods, they are effectually precluded from that, by the smallness of the kibitka in which it is performed; much less can the inmates of those khatuns which are six or twelve miles distant, catch the sound even of the music. They content themselves with the assurance that the Lamas and Gellongs are offering up their prayers enjoined by their ritual for the welfare of the Kalmuk community.-Parrot's Journey to Ararat

in 1829.

SKATING AT CABUL.-There is a lake about five or six miles from Cabul, in the direction of Istaliff, which, though partially saline, or rather metallic, in its

waters, is frozen over in all winters if the weather be commonly severe. In the winter of 1839-40 it was covered with a coat of ice more than ordinarily thick, on which the Affghans used to practise the art of sliding, far more skilfully, as well as gracefully, than their European visiters. Indeed, it was the clumsy manner in which the Feringhees assayed that boyish sport, which induced them to reiterate the conviction that heat, and not cold, was the white man's element. Forthwith our young gentlemen set themselves to the fabrication of skates : the artificers soon shaped the wood-work according to models given; out of old iron, smelted and hardened afterwards, the blades were formed; and in due time a party of skaters, equipped for the exercise, appeared upon the lake. The Affghans stared in mute amazement while the officers were fastening on their skates; but when they rose, dashed across the ice's surface, wheeled and turned, and cut out all manner of figures upon the ice, there was an end at once to disbelief in regard to the place of their nativity. "Now," cried they, "we see that you are not like the infidel Hindoos that follow you: you are men, born and bred like ourselves where the seasons vary, and in their changes give vigour both to body and mind. We wish that you had come among us as friends, and not as enemies; for you are fine fellows, one by one, though as a body we hate you."-Sale's Brigade in Affghanistan.

TRUE PHILOSOPHY.-It is in vain to regret a misfortune when it is past retrieving; but few have philosophy or strength enough to practise. A famous Physician ventured five thousand guineas upon the South Sea project: when he was told at Garraways that it was all lost, "Why," said he, "tis but going up five thousand pair of stairs more.' This answer deserved a statue.

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OLD HUNDREDTH.-The music in harmony of four parts of this venerable church tune was composed by Claude Goudimel, about the year 1544. The composer, who was chapel-master at Lyons, France, died in 1572, a victim to religions opinion. The harmony of this hymn has since been altered, as may be seen by comparing the same, as arranged in the present Collections of church music, with the original. It is a popular musico-historical error, that Luther was the composer of this choral.-Musical World.

WESLEYAN MISSIONS:

OR, INTELLIGENCE ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE WES-
LEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, AND ALSO OF THE STATE AND
PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD
UNDER THEIR DIRECTION: EXTRACTED CHIEFLY
"MISSIONARY NOTICES, AND FROM OTHER SOURCES

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FROM THE

PUBLISHED

CONTINENTAL INDIA AND CEYLON. GOOBBEE.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Benjamin Field, dated March 12th, 1847.

THREE months having elapsed since my arrival in the country, in compliance with your instructions, and in accordance with my own inclinations, I write to inform you of the manner in which my time has been employed, and to record my sincere and constant sentiments with regard to the work in which I am engaged.

On Monday, December 21st, my companions and I arrived in Bangalore, after a journey of eight days from Madras. The week following all the Preachers left for the District-Meeting, so that we were called to attend to the English department of the work during their absence. In these duties, and in intercourse with the pious Europeans of that station, there was, of course, considerable pleasure; and, I hope, profit too. Seldom have I witnessed a finer display of piety and zeal, mingled with more childlike simplicity, than in the soldiers, who are there united with us. Many of them were early instructed in the things of God; and for many years the seed appeared to be lost; but it has sprung up in this land of darkness and of sin, and is bringing forth fruit unto God, in some thirty, in some sixty, and in some an hundred fold. They meet together morning, noon, and night; and to listen to their prayers, and to their details of religious experience, would be enough to convince the most obdurate sceptic that there is a delightful, though solemn, reality in the religion of the Bible.

While in Bangalore I secured a Moonshee to assist me in the study of Canarese;

and, after being detained seven weeks, took leave of my dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Male, in whose house I had resided, and departed for my station. And then, leaving all that was English, I could form a more correct idea of the character and state of the people towards whose salvation my labours were to be directed; and I need not say that in the discovery there was nothing cheering. Mile after mile as I passed along, admiring the evidences of the Creator's bounty, I saw nothing to tell of the creature's gratitude; for the people, following in the steps of their fathers, "have done evil in the sight of the Lord, and built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree." There was no man whom I could recognise as a brother in Christ; for all "trust in vanity and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity." And thus the pleasure which I should have felt, was chastened by, if not absorbed in, the thought, that no tongue lisped the name of Him who is the fairest among ten thousand; no heart enjoyed his favour, no foot pursued his way. And how can They cannot

this be wondered at?

believe in Him of whom they have not heard; and the whole extent of country through which I passed was utterly destitute of a man the object of whose life was to proclaim Christ!

At length I entered the town which was to be the scene of my future labours. Of this I had read, heard, and thought; and, looking on it as my home, was

* Our readers are earnestly requested to avail themselves of the opportunity to procure the entire copy of the "Wesleyan Missionary Notices," published by the Secretaries of the Society, and sold at the Centenary-Hall, Bishopsgate-street, and at 66, Paternoster-row, London. Our selections from this invaluable record of the progress of the Gospel in heathen lands must, of necessity, be brief: we are therefore very desirous that the "Notices" should receive an extensive circulation among all classes of the religious public.

ready to regard every man as a member of my flock, and to cry, "Behold, I bring you good tidings." But the first sight that I was called to witness was the temple of the local deity, the Goobbee Appa; and the first sound to which I listened was that of a bell summoning the appointed Priest to the duties of his station. And there, too, was the car for the conveyance of the god, rearing its lofty head, as if to insult the Monarch of the Universe on his throne, while a score of deluded men were labouring with the sweat of their brow to prepare the vehicle for the approaching festival. This was not all; for in another part might be seen another structure less ponderous, but more showy, which a poor sinner had caused to be erected in order to secure sufficient merit for his final peace. Men, women, and children

carried on their foreheads, or their breasts, evidences of their degradation; and I seemed to participate in the Saviour's feeling when he said, "O that thou hadst known the things which belong to thy peace!" It was a relief, which none but they who feel it know, to turn the eyes from scenes like these, to the Mission-bungalow on the hill, and to the little chapel where many "hear of heaven, and learn the way." To feel that even here one day was hallowed, one assembly convened, to honour the Triune God; and to know that the veracity of Heaven was pledged to make the little one a thousand, was sweet beyond description. I thus entered "my Circuit" with mingled feelings; but truly grateful was I to the Father of mercies, that the unsettled life which I had lived for seven months had drawn to a close, and that I was once more in a situation where my studies and devotions could be regular and profitable. It is now a month since I entered my station; during which time I have watched with the intensest interest, all that is connected with our work, both that I might cultivate proper sentiments regarding it, and get prepared to enter upon its duties, with pleasure to myself and usefulness to others. The result of my observations on my own mind I will endeavour to record simply and briefly.

I begin with the little church by which God has rewarded the exertions of his servants. The difficulties which stand in the way of the conversion of people here, have been so frequently and prominently brought forward, that, unless I am greatly mistaken, our friends at home have very defective notions of what is really doing. It is true there

are difficulties which can be met with nowhere else; and these, I firmly be lieve, cannot be exaggerated. The system to which the people adhere is so elaborate, that everything they do is connected with religion; and to violate the smallest precept of their law, would be to incur penalties, which, in their estimation, are the most tremendous that can rest upon the heads of mortals. It is equally true that what is doing in comparison of the wants and population of the empire, is chiefly in preparation. And yet, blessed be God, we have instances in which the word of the Lord has been glorified in delivering men from the haunts of Heathenism, in overcoming obstacles of fearful magnitude, and even in fitting the former advocates of error for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ. We have now ten baptized persons on the station. Of Daniel and his family you have often heard they have been supported amidst all the reproach to which they were subjected, and are still decided for the Lord. In addition to these, there is Joseph, a youth about eighteen years of age, who, in September last, was formally initiated into the Christian church, and was at the same time cast out from his family as being unworthy their regard. And, last of all, was a Poojaree, who, from childhood, had worshipped the gods of his fathers; but, by the power of truth, was induced to relinquish friends, honour, idols, and all, to find a Saviour; and in December was baptized in the name of the Triune God, receiving the name of Abraham. (Concerning him Mr. Hardey intends to send you a full account.) These are all brought under religious instruction; and the constancy of their application, and rapidity of their advancement, fully compensate for all the anxiety that has been felt concerning them. But, what is most cheering is, that they are labouring for the good of their countrymen. and Joseph may be seen every morning at the break of day with Testament in hand, walking to some distant village, to tell the people of the sinner's Friend. The novelty of a native Preacher, and the youthful appearance of these two, are circumstances that attract even larger congregations than the Missionaries can secure; and they always return to tell us the subjects of their discourses, and the remarks of the people. On my arrival, I asked Joseph if he were one of those that went out preaching. His answer was remarkably modest: "By the favour of God, I preach a very little." Abraham, especially, from his know.

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ledge of the Hindoo system, bids fair to be a powerful opponent of idolatry. One morning I returned from the Pettah, and told him of the multitudes who had listened, and the attention they had given to the Gospel. His eyes sparkled with joy, then reddened with weeping, till he exclaimed, with all the energy he could command, "O, if they would take their idols, and cast them to the flames, and trample the ashes beneath their feet, how great would be my joy!" I have seen him sometimes, sitting in our verandah, surrounded by a score of heathen men, proving from his own experience the emptiness of idolatry, proposing questions, and giving illustrations of the truth, which have silenced every plea, and made them speechless. These lambs of the flock require much attention and prayer. I pray God that none of us may be negligent.

The annual festival of the Goobbee

Appa has just now closed. The people

flocked in from all the towns within many miles of this, to participate in the festivity of the occasion. Approaching the town from all directions, was to be seen the little infant in the arms of its elder sister, both seated on a bullock, and both instructed in the sentiment that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art, and man's device. Beside them walked the aged sire, bowing beneath the weight of years, leaning on a staff to support his tottering frame. Even to the margin of the grave he is faithful to his god, not having knowledge or understanding to say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?" Mr. Gostick and Mr. Taylor came from Coonghul to assist us in our work on this occasion; and here we were furnished with one of the most striking proofs that Providence has opened the country for the entrance of Gospel truth. Morning and evening, before the car, and sometimes beneath the shadow of its flags, we took our stand, demanding silence and attention. The people flocked around to hear the word of Heaven;

there the claims of Jehovah were urged, his laws proclaimed, his honour vindicated, and the folly of idolatry stated with a plainness which none could misunderstand. And yet there was no visible hostility, excepting as it was manifested by a few ignorant men, who wanted to show their wisdom to the people. Every day we had crowds of people coming to see the bungalow, and the little infant. Of course, we made it a point of conscience to preach the Gospel to all. We found many who only attempted to defend their idolatrous practices on the ground that they had been performed by all their ancestors, and that they had no desire to leave the old paths. Others stoutly persisted in the absurdity that Goobbee Appa, after death, had been invested with divinity by devout men, and was deserving of all the honours they had rendered; and some even said that the linga around their necks was the Supreme God of the universe. We distributed among those who came from distant towns many copies of the Gospels, and tracts; and earnestly do we hope and pray that the light thus scattered may dispel the darkness which broods over the minds of the people, and hasten the era which shall give peace and blessing to the world.

I have only to say, in closing, that through mercy my health is good, and my mind happy. I find everything that I could wish in Mr. and Mrs. Hardey: the angel of peace has taken up his abode among us, and I confidently anticipate a happy and a prosperous year. My only source of grief is, that my progress in the language is so slow, and that I cannot unburden my soul to the people around me. I feel, however, that I am bound by gratitude to God, and obligations to his church, to labour with my might; and if I continue to enjoy an interest in the prayers of friends at home, and if the smile of God is still vouchsafed, I will still hope to be the means of bringing souls to God in this land of misery.

JAFFNA.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Edward J. Robinson, dated April 10th, 1847.

I AM extremely thankful that, under the control of Providence, you appointed me to Jaffna. Divested of the mere impressions of novelty, I am beginning more distinctly to apprehend and feel the serious responsibilities attaching to the engagements of a Christian Missionary. You may imagine what a source of satisfaction it is to be associated with those who, beyond question,

are heartily and cheerfully devoted to their work, and especially with one so superior in example, experience, and qualifications, as my esteemed Superintendent. On a station where the word has been long and faithfully delivered, where legitimate prominence has been given to the work of education, where the press has been made available to an extent of which I had no previous con

ception, where secularities have been managed with talent and becoming diligence, where all possible means have been employed, no effort spared, and no interest neglected, I am not surprised to witness decided evidences of genuine prosperity. One of my sorrows in terminating my happy connexion with Reading resulted from a fear that I should not thenceforward be employed in anything like English preaching; for I never dreamed of ministering in India to so numerous, attentive, and intelligent a congregation as that of our Jaffna chapel, an assembly that would do credit to some of your English Bethels, -and such a Missionary congregation probably as opponents of educational operations would find it somewhat difficult in connexion with themselves to parallel. Certainly Mr. Percival's schoolarrangements are most admirable. By the higher boys English is spoken with as much classical propriety as in some of your superior schools in Britain, and the students and scholars generally appear to appreciate their unusual privileges.

I had foreseen the great importance of singing in connexion with Missionary undertakings, and frequently resolved to represent to you seriously my lamentable incapacity; and my impressions in relation to this subject have been fully and painfully confirmed. Of course, however, the reflection that I commence my career under the superintendence of an efficient musician, affords me considerable relief. Your candidates at Richmond will never regret paying devoted attention to the reasonable promptings of surrounding nature in this particular; and, in obedience to their holy impulses, endeavouring to imitate the clear and mellow tones of my highly-respected brother Cuttle and his most exemplary flute.

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Some parts of the Circuit I have hitherto had no opportunity of visiting. The rising structure at Puttoor is a striking instance of the reverend architect's judgment and taste. Within the interior of the yet roofless temple, the object that first secures all the attention of a visiter is the exterior of our Bishop's rustic palace, a rude shed which, however fitting a type of the spiritual position that every superior Ecclesiastic should occupy, is by no means emblem of episcopal dignity and ease. After the fashion of the country, the hut is thatched with leaves; and its walls are of atmospheric structure and transparency, a device by which the workmen are not obscured. Beneath this holy shade the revision of the Tamil Scriptures is rapidly progressing, and the humble muses doubtless console themselves with anticipating the influence, great, glorious, and divine, that from so obscure a centre, will be savingly diffused. I have been greatly interested in the English and Tamil services at Wannarponne, conducted by Mr. Williams. The Natives who attend the former-a service lately introduced, and of apparently a very important characterare of the more intelligent class, including several Brahmans, speak English with tolerable fluency, and evince a pleasing interest in the subjects submitted to consideration. I anticipate much enjoyment in visiting the remaining parts of the Circuit.

A week ago I attended the monthly meeting of a true Evangelical Alliance, which has now been established eightand-twenty-years, of the Protestant Missionaries in this neighbourhood. The Rev. Mr. Meigs informed me that at the first meeting the address was delivered by the Rev. Thomas Squance.

RECENT DEATHS.

DEC. 21st, 1846.-At Dromore, in the Moira and Dromore Circuit, Miss Eliza Ann Jamison, aged twenty-two, after a protracted illness, during which she was made a partaker of the hope of the Gospel, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. On the morning of the day of her departure, calling her parents and family together, she addressed them with great tenderness, and in language truly appropriate; praying, in conclusion, that the Lord would bless them, and make them a blessing. Her end was peaceful and happy. G. B.

VOL. III.-FOURTH SERIES.

Dec. 23d.-At Westonzoyland, in the Bridgewater Circuit, aged ninety-three, Mr. Marmaduke Ling. For nearly seventy years he was a member of the Methodist society, and on several occasions attended the ministry of the Rev. John Wesley. He was highly esteemed and greatly beloved by all who knew him. Simplicity, integrity, and benevolence eminently distinguished his earthly career. In early life he was deprived of his sight; but the grace of God was so imparted, that he submitted with Christian submission to the divine will. He was

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