on the other hand, there is much to damp it -there is that almost impassable barrier, the caste, which, however, blessed be God, begins to give way; but there is also the national character, in which is a mixture of every thing that is vile. they are sly, deceitful, and determined to get money, by fair or unfair means; and will exhibit the most plausible appearances of religion, if they can get any thing by it.

"A missionary has much to cope with; a thousand difficulties, besides such as occur in England; and, consequently, he needs additional faith, patience, and perseverance. "It is easy to collect a congregation here; it is only to ask a question, and you have a hundred people about you. The other evening I was walking with Brother Gordon, in the Cooley Bazaar, when we observed a number of people collected together, listening to one of their pagan preachers, who was engaged in telling some tales of their gods, when Brother Gordon, addressing one of the people in his own tongue, the whole congregation presently forsook their preacher, and listened to him. They acknowledged all to be true, but did not seem in the least affected.

pendently of the questions in their catechisms, we obtain satisfactory evidence that they make an actual progress in the knowledge of divine things. Our principal school is in the very heart of the town, and open to every person who passes by. The novelty of catechising the children, and the promptitude of their answers, never fail to bring numbers to hear them, and the questions give a series of subjects for inquiry and conversation. We have lately added a third catechism, partly in the manner of the assembly's. In this way both the youth and those of advanced life hear and learn. The translation of the Scriptures into their language will be, I trust, of eternal benefit to this people. We hope soon to have all the New Testament in their hands.

Having some time ago heard that a num ber of persons at Chicacole, a town situated about sixty miles to the northward of this, had, through the influence of one man, torn the Lingam* from their arms, and deserted the Pagoda, I went over to Chicacole, and, upon inquiry, found that this procedure had been the result of serious deliberation, from their knowledge, as they stated, of the inability of the Lingem to afford them any assistance. Upon asking how they came to act in this way, they answered, "By read

Extracts of a letter from Mr. Gordon, Missionary at Vizigapatam, Janua-ing the true Vedas, and their conversation ry 28, 1817.

1 HAVE had a whole year of health, and I now hope that my constitution has, in a very considerable degree, assimilated itself to the climate of this country, and that it will please the great Head of the church, whom I desire to serve to the end of my days, to give me many years of health for his work. The last has been better to me than any former one. I have been enabled to enter fully into my labours. We are out every day among the people, who are evidently more disposed to make inquiries after the truth. I have lately had conversation with some singularly interesting characters, whose questions were uncommonly striking. The children in the schools too, perform wonders, and by interrogating them, inde

with Anundarayer," who accompanied me there about two years ago, and Mr. Pritchett last year. I do not say that they have absolutely renounced idolatry, but as they parted, upon the conviction stated, with some of its insignia, they may be considered as in the way to an entire renunciation of it.

I

have long wished that a missionary were settled among that people, as they appear of a teachable disposition.

Extracts from the Report of the Edinburgh
Missionary Society.
KARASS.

FROM the beginning of 1816 till the month of May, when Mr. Paterson com* A little image, enclosed in a silver box which they suspend on their breast or arm.

85

menced his journey to the Crimea, he and tion from the Kabardians, the fiercest and Mr. Galloway remained together at this most uncivilized of all the tribes in the neighstation superintending its affairs; arranging bourhood; and had requested him to promatters for the separation of the German Colonists from their secular connexion with the Mission; attending to the education of their own children, and of the ransomed and other youth in the colony; and embracing such opportunities as were presented to them of visiting the adjacent villages, and conversing with the natives on the subject of religion. Several of the native children are mentioned as being able to repeat parts of the catechism; from which, in order to show the knowledge which they have acquired, they are frequently heard asking and answering some of the questions.

The meetings for the instruction of the ransomed are regularly kept; and they are gradually advancing in acquaintance with the doctrines and duties of Christianity; while those of them who are still at school, are continuing to make as much progress as can reasonably be expected, in learning to read and write.

cure teachers for them, confessing their ignorance of the true religion. By accounts, however, subsequently received from Mr. Paterson, there appear to be some peculiar difficulties in the way of a mission being established in their country. There seems, indeed, even at present, a preparation going on for their being, at no very distant period, made acquainted with Divine Truth; for the general, who had himself spent several years among them, in the defiles of the mountains, has at this moment twelve of their boys at school, in one of the fortresses, learning the Russian language. Could copies of the Scriptures, therefore, be introduced into these schools, the Word of Truth might, through the power of its Divine Author, take root in some of their hearts, and prepare them for becoming instructers of their countrymen in the things that belong to their eternal peace.

The most interesting information from In the beginning of May, three or four Karass, received since the last anniversary, hundred Tartar families having left the Ku- relates to the Trukmen, or Turkomans; ban, came and settled in the vicinity of Ka- whom Mr. Galloway visited in the month of rass; some of them in Naiman Village; October, as soon as he could conveniently more of them on the Kuma; but the greater leave the Settlement, after Mr. Paterson's part about sixty versts distant. And "thus," return. The Trukmen are a nomadic and say the missionaries, "while their country-pastoral tribe of Tartars, who inhabit chiefmen, who, after hearing the gospel without ly the great Kitzliar Steppe, between the receiving it, and who some time ago removed from under its ministry, have mostly been cut off by the plague, others of the same race are brought within its sound, and have the Scriptures circulated among them, to testify to them the way to eternal life."

Kuma and the Terek, eastward from Karass towards the Caspian. They seldom, if ever, settle in villages; but roam from place to place, encamping in tents, with their herds and flocks around them, wherever they can find suitable shelter and pasturage. Previously to Mr. Paterson's departure Their language approaches nearer to the for the Crimea, he and Mr. Galloway re- Turkish, than that of the other Tartars; and ceived some particular information concern- in consequence of the nature of their occuing the tribe of Ossatiuzes, or Ossatinians; pation their spirit is less ferocious, and their which induced them to hope that a way habits more gentle and domestic. During might soon be opened for the introduction Mr. Galloway's visit to them, on which he of the gospel among them. These people was accompanied by John Steele, one of live in the mountains to the south and south- the ransomed boys, he was highly gratified east of Karass, at no great distance from with the reception which they gave, equalMosdok. They had applied to the com-ly to his instructions, and to the copies of manding general of the district, for protec- the New Testament and Tracts, which he

took along with him for distribution. The from having, before he met with this Effencart in which he travelled was for some di, distributed all the books that he had day's constantly surrounded by crowds. carried along with him, had it not in his earnestly requesting books; and saying, power to give him a copy of the New Testa with every appearance of deep interest, that ment, especially as he said he had come a they wished to know the way of salvation. whole day's journey to receive one, and apAnd when some of the Kara Nogays, ano-peared to be disposed to think seriously ther tribe who wander about like the Truk-about Christianity. He even endeavoured to men, and who are perhaps the most bigot-prevail with a priest to part with the copy ed Mahomedans of all the Tartars, endea- which he had received; but the priest told voured to persuade them not to receive such him that he had as much need of it as the books, because they did not agree with the Effendi, and could read it equally well. “A Koran, the Turkmen told them that they good deal of allowance," says Mr. Gallo(viz. the Nogays,) were ignorant persons, way, "must be made for the readiness with and that the books were recommended to which the Turkmen received the books, on them by those who knew more than they. account of their not having formerly heard any thing of the gospel; yet, I must confess, I received a great deal of pleasure and encouragement from my visit, and purpose, God willing, to repeat it soon."

Of an Effendi, named Baba Khan Hagi,* Mr. Galloway speaks with great interest. He is a Bucharian; and, about twelve years ago, returned from his travels in Arabia, since which he has been officiating among a In addition to the above statement, it is number of Calmucks, who turned Mahome-gratifying to learn, that the missionaries at dans about fifty years ago. He acknow- Astrachan had, nearly at the same time, deledged that he had long thought that the livered to the Bible Committee of that city Mahomedans do not rightly understand the 50 copies of the New Testament, 50 of Koran, otherwise they would give more ho- Luke's gospel, and 50 of the Psalms in Tarnour to Christ than they do; and spoke as if tar; for the purpose of being sent to others he had very considerable doubts respecting of these very people, in the neighbourhood the truth of Islamism. of Kitzliar; some of whom had collected about 50 rubles, and remitted it to that society, with the view of procuring books from them.

With another Effendi, Mr. Galloway also had much conversation; in which he dwelt particularly, and in the hearing of the people around them, on the Scripture account Thus, almost at once, and quite unknown of the divinity of Christ, to which every Ma- to each other, the missionaries at Karass homedan so strongly objects-on the nature and Astrachan were employing means for and design of sacrifices-on the evil of sin-communicating the Word of the Living and on the death and resurrection of our Saviour True God to the wandering inhabitants of -on the impossibility of meriting the pardon that extensive tract of country. And can of sin and eternal life by our own works or it be irrational to draw from such a fact the observances on the necessity of spiritual interesting conclusion, that God has designs worship-and on the great and essential of mercy towards them; or that we may difference between the Christian doctrine warrantably hope, while we earnestly pray, of a state of future happiness in heaven, and the dreams of carnal pleasure which the disciples of the Koran entertain respecting the enjoyments of their sensual paradise. It was with much regret that Mr. Galloway,

* Hagi, i. e. “pilgrim," is the title given to a Mahomedan priest, who has performed the pilgrimage to Mecca.

that the word, to which he has thus, from two different quarters, given entrance among them, will not return unto him void?

The Effendi of Naiman Village, by the last accounts, was discovering greater missionaries that he had been thinking parthoughtfulness than usual; and had told the ticularly about the New Testament. Bat

tersea also, one of the chiefs, sometimes ap- and printing the Scriptures in the various peared considerably interested; but was languages of Asiatic Russia, has been fully still continuing to argue against the princi-justified by every month's intelligence, pal doctrines of Christianity. The Tartars which, during the past year, they have rein general, however, in this village, the ceived from their missionaries. missionaries represent as more careless than ever-a circumstance which they attribute, in a great measure, to the augmentation which they some time ago received to the number of their priests.

of their activity, and diligence, and zeal, from the following statement of what they have been enabled to accomplish within the short space of a twelvemonth. During that period, viz. from January 1st, 1816, to Ja

The labours of Mr. Mitchell, and his coadjutor, James Peddie, at the missionary press, and of Mr. Dickson, in revising, correcting, and translating, have been such as to merit the highest commendation. When Is there nothing just and forcible in the it is considered that these have been the remarks which they subjoin to this state- only constant and efficient labourers at this ment? And may not the same remarks post of duty, and that, besides having to atbe extended to the subject of the mission in tend to the instruction of their own families, general? "The number of the priests they have had to converse, almost daily, tends to keep the people in awe; and gives and often for hours together, with Persians them greater confidence in the delusions and others who visited them with the view with which their minds are led away. It of obtaining copies of the New Testament would surely be good that the teachers of and information concerning the truths of Christianity, sent among the heathen, should Christianity, some estimate may be formed bear some proportion, in number, to those who teach a false religion. When we consider the great number of teachers needed in our native country, among a people who have been receiving religious instruction from their youth, and who in general as-nuary 1st, 1817, there have issued from the semble together once or twice a week to missionary press-attend on the means of grace, what shall we say of the means that are used to convert the ignorant Mahomedan inhabitants of this country, when there are only one or two individuals in a whole province to speak to them about the gospel; and who must search out, here and there, the persons whom they wish to instruct, and watch a favourable opportunity of getting them to listen to a few truths? When we consider these things, unless we have ground to look for the gospel working in a more miraculous way among heathen than among those who bear the Christian name, we must conclude that they are altogether neglected, in comparison of what they ought to be."

ASTRACHAN.

800 copies of a Turkish Tract, containing the first three chapters of Genesis.

800 copies of an Arabic Tract, containing Exodus ch. xx. and Matthew ch. v.

2000 copies of a Tartar Tract, for the Orenburg Mission.

2000 copies of an Arabic Tract, containing a Short History of the Bible; with a small Catechism annexed.

4000 copies of a Tartar Catechism, for the Kirghisians, &c. at Orenburgh. And

5000 copies of Luke's Gospel, of the Karass translation, for the Russian Bible Society: making, in all, 14,600 copies of various religious publications.

During the same period, they have bound and prepared for distribution 904 copies of the Psalms, in Turkish (printed the preceding year); 134 of the Karass New Testaments; and 3400 of the Gospel by Luke;

The importance which the directors have been led to attach to Astrachan, both as a central station for missionary exertion, and besides stitching, &c. the Catechism and as the seat of an establishment for translating Tracts.

Nor have these publications been suffered | Astrachan to print a new edition of the to lie beside them undisposed of, or unused; Tartar-Turkish New Testament, translated for, with the addition to the above of about by Mr. Brunton, at Karass. This important 600 copies of the Scriptures, in various lan-work is, in all probability, by this time comguages, received for distribution from the menced; the British and Foreign Bible SoRussian Bible Society, they have sold, cir- ciety having, on application from the comculated gratis, sent to Karass, to Orenburg, mittee of the Russian Bible Society, with to the government of Cherson, to Theodosia, their wonted liberality, furnished a new and Sympheropol, in the Crimea, or given fount of types for the purpose, which, the to the Bible Committee in Astrachan, no Directors have lately learned, were some fewer than 2566 copies of the New Testa- time ago on their way from St. Petersburgh. ment in whole or in part, or portions of the Nor has the generosity of the parent inOld Testament, together with 6548 Cate-stitution stopped here. Having heard of the chisms or Tracts; in all, 9114 copies.

"The number," say the missionaries, "is much greater than" (till they had calculated the amount at the end of the year,) "we expected it would have been; and, when we consider that many copies of the Holy Scriptures have been issued by the Astrachan Bible Committee also, we cannot but rejoice that so much of the precious seed of the Word has been scattered in these barren regions." Yes! and in regions, it may be added, in which, little more than twelve months ago, the sound of the gospel was scarcely known, and many of the miserable and blinded natives were almost as ignorant of the very existence of such a volume as the Bible as if it had never been published among men.

Through the medium of the Astrachan committee, and by the constant co-operation of the missionaries with the Russian Bible Society, and its now numerous and dailyincreasing branches in the southern provinces of the empire and the Tauridan Peninsula, a door is indeed set open, and we trust by God himself, for the circulation of the Scriptures: and if He shall keep it open, as we fervently implore that he will, no man will be able to shut it, till, throughout the widely-extended region, of which Astrachan is the centre, the people of every religion, and language, and tribe, to the east and the west, to the north and the south, hear and receive, in their own tongues, the inspired record of the wonderful works of God.

The committee of the Russian Bible Society have engaged the missionaries at

exhausted state of the Edinburgh society's funds last year, and consulted how they might most efficiently aid the mission consistently with the object and plan of their own society, they voted a sufficient quantity of paper, through the medium of the Russian Bible Society, for 5000 copies of the Tartar Old Testament, which they understood was preparing by the missionaries at Astrachan. To this translation Mr. Dickson began to apply himself, after the printing of the Book of Psalms was finished; and intended to publish separately, from time to time, such parts of it as he might be able to accomplish. With this view, he commenced with the Book of Job, purposing to have this, together with the Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, and the Song of Solomon, printed before proceeding to the Pentateuch. On learning, however, that there was every probability that the expense of publishing the whole of the Old Testament would be defrayed by the Bible Society, he began with Genesis, the translation of which he had finished in December last.

In the mean time, the printing of the SEcoND edition of the New Testament, for the Russian Bible Society, will be going on; and Mr. Dickson, during the intervals from correcting the press, &c. which he may enjoy, will be proceeding with the translation of the Old, which perhaps may be comple ted, and ready for being put to press, by the time that the printing of the New Testament is finished. There can be little doubt, indeed, that by that time the Pentateuch will be completely translated, and carefully