MALTA. A celebrated Island in the Mediterranean, under · British Authority-Inhabitants, with those of the neighbouring Island of Goza, 110,000-Religion. Roman Catholic. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 1815. W. Jowett, T. C. Deininger, confidence cannot be established between parties who can communicate only through an interpreter. The Rev. T. C. Deininger, appointed to labour in this Mission, sailed from Falmouth on the 10th of November. At the latest dates, Mr. Jowett's health had much improved, and his family were all well. AMERICAN BOARD OF MISSIONS. Dr. Cleardo Naudi, Compiler of Tracts. Pliny Fisk, Daniel Temple, Jonas King, Mr. Jowett arrived at Malta, with his family, on their return from England, by way of France, on the 27th of April, hav. ing left London on the 11th of March. With what views and feelings the Committee and Mr. Jowett separated, on his return to his Station, will be seen in the Instructions given to him on that occasion, and in the very affectionate and able Address delivered at their request by the Rev. William Dealtry; together with the Reply returned by Mr. Jowett. These documents are printed in the Third Appendix to the Twenty-second Report. Authority has been given to Mr. Jowett to establish a Press in Malta, under regulations rendered necessary by local circumstances, and to which he will strictly conform. On this point, we quote his own words, from a Letter of Nov. 26th Missionaries. Mission is more particularly directed. Its early proceedings, were stated in the last Mr. and Mrs. Temple sailed from Bos At p. 382 of our last Volumé, we left Mr. Fisk and his late associate about to Smyrna to Alexandria. After the death of Mr. Parsons, at Alexandria, on the 10th of February, Mr. Fisk continued a few weeks in that city, and then proceeded to Cairo. At Caïro he heard from Dr. Naudi of Mr. Temple's arrival at Malta, when he left Egypt, and reached Malta on the 18th of April. I feel most truly thankful to God, that a measure, tending to results of incalculable utility, has ob-proceed, in the early part of January, from tained the approbation of our Government. It shall be my constant endeavour, to act in such a manner as not to impair that good understanding, which subsists between your servants and their superiors in this Island. Government has allowed us liberty to do more good than we are at present able to do. Two founts of Roman Types have been selected at Paris, which have been since forwarded. A Printing Press had arrived from England. A Periodical Work, in Italian, will be, of all early measures, one of the most promising. Dr. Naudi had been employed on the translation into Italian of an English Commentary on the Scriptures; and Giuseppe Cannolo, the translator of the Scriptures into Maltese, had proceeded in the Old Testament as far as the end of the First Book of Chronicles. Intimation having been received that the Rev. Jonas King, from the United States, then pursuing the study of the Oriental Languages at Paris, might be induced to assist, for a time, in the Mission, Mr. Fisk made a proposal to him to that effect. Mr. King concurred in the proposal; and left Paris, in consequence, in October. Liberal contributions were made toward this object at Paris; and a Missionary Society was formed, with the express view of aid The Gospel of St. John, in Maltese and English, in parallel columns, has beening in this Mission. printed in this country; and copies sent to Malta for distribution, at present chiefly among persons capable of forming a judgment of the Maltese, in order to the rendering of the translation as perfect as practicable. Mr. Jowett was resuming his correspondence with various quarters; and was diligently improving his knowledge of Arabic, with a view to his Journeys among those to whom that language is vernacular; being fully aware, from experience, that The Mission will have its head-quarters at Malta, until opportunity shall occur of establishing it in the Levant. Permission has been obtained to set up, in the mean while, a Printing Press in Malta, under the same limitations as that of the Church Missionary Society. It will be chiefly employed in publications in Modern Greek. Mr.Temple brought a Press from Boston; and Mr. King, who had arrived, had brought with him two founts of Greek Types from Paris. A Printer was coming from America; but the Press had been already set up, and several pieces in Italian printed. The views of the Board in reference to the Press will be seen in the following extract of their Instructions to Mr.Temple:The exertions of the British and Foreign Bible is Society embrace so wide a range, that a press not primarily demanded in Western Asia, for the publication of the Scriptures entire; though it may probably hereafter be usefully and profitably employed for this purpose. But, at present, and during the first stages of religious inquiry, Select Portions of the Scriptures, printed in such quantities as to be very extensively distributed, promise to answer a valuable end, by attracting notice, and preparing the way for complete copies of the Bible. Short Tracts, also, expressing the great truths of the Gospel in the words of Scripture, may be reckoned among the most effectual means of exciting attention, and leading to the demand for direct personal labours. School Books, formed on the principles of unadulterated Christianity, with the design of early imbuing the mind with heavenly truth; and introducing, at the same time, all the modern improvements in rudimental learning, must be of inestimable value to such a people as we are contemplating. The Directors of the London Missionary Society, considering it expedient, under present circumstances, not to continue their Station at Malta, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson left, on their return by way of Leghorn, on the 20th of July. The American Missionaries continue the Religious Services, which had been held by Mr. Wilson; and will probably avail themselves of some of the translations, which had been prepared 'by him in Modern Greek. Mr. Fisk and Mr. King were on the eve of departure, at the end of November, for Egypt and Syria; designing, if God preserve their health, and circumstances should be favourable, to spend three years in those parts. They were furnished with a large supply of Scriptures by the Malta Bible Society. EDUCATION SOCIETIES. The following statement is extracted from the last Report of the British and Foreign School Society : In Malta, the School Society of Valetta continues zealously to promote the cause of education. The Schools in that city maintain their reputation; and the proficiency of the Children is well reported of. The worthy Catholic Priest, the Rev. Padre Luigi Camilleri, has recently added a School for Girls to his establishment at Casel-Zeitun; and other Schools are contemplated, in the country villages, and in the small island of Goza. Your Committee look with great interest to the proceedings of this isolated spot: the peculiar situation of Malta, and its connections with the neighbouring shores of the Mediterranean, induce them to indulge the hope, that, from this place, the means of enlightening many a desert land may go forth. The Schools at Valetta are reported to have been visited by many foreigners of distinction, who have expressed their admiration and delight at the effects of the System adopted in them. ZANTE. The most southern and most fertile of the Ionian Islands; and, for its size, the most populous Inhabitants, 40,000, chiefly of the Greek Church: the town of Zante, which is the largest in the Seven Islands, contains 16,000 of this number. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 1819. Isaac Lowndes, Missionary. The Directors have authorized Mr. Lowndes to remove to Corfu, that island being deemed preferable to Zante as the seat of the Mission. His English and Modern Greek Lexicon is finished. Of his Modern Greek Translation of Mason on Self-Knowledge an edition of 500 copies has been printed. Mr. Lowndes has continued to preach in the Garrison Chapel, and occasionally to the troops; and to distribute the Scriptures and Tracts. ODESSA. EDINBURGH JEWS SOCIETY. Frederick Lewis Betzner, Bernhard Saltet, Missionaries. The Missionaries proceeded, in the latter part of 1821, on the Journey up the Dnieper, which was mentioned in the last Survey. They visited some Settlements of Mennonites, and many Colonies of Germans, preaching with much acceptance. On the 7th of November, they reached Kiew. At Breditshew, they estimate nearly 30,000 Jews, with few Christians. Many opportunities occurred here of making known the Gospel. Tracts were eagerly received. Many Jews visited them, chiefly young men of eight they had good hopes. There was, however, in many, a spirit of bitterness: one said, "If I did but know all those who have desired Tracts of you, I would kill them instantly!" On the 18th of January, they arrived at Dubno; from whence, after some stay, they were to proceed to Wilno. CRIMEA. A Peninsula, of European Russia, on the Black Sea-208 miles long, and 124 broad-the northern part, open pastures; and the southern, highly romantic the Native Inhabitants are Tartars, who are Mahomedans ceded to Russia at the peace of 1791. SCOTTISH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Rev. Dr. Ross, Rev. J. J. Carruthers, The Journeys of Investigation taken by the Missionaries, with the difficulties ap. prehended from the prejudices of the Natives, were stated in the former Survey. In reference to this, the Committee say, in their last Report Some delay will probably take place before a decisive trial of their views on this head can be made, at least on an extended scale; as the Committee find it necessary to have some further communication with the Russian Government before the Seminary can be established. In the mean time, some 1823.] MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEAS.-CASPIAN SEA. minor occurrences rather indicate a favourable te. sult. The education of a few Female Tartar Children at Baktcheserai has been entrusted to Mrs. Carruthers by their parents. Of the Sultan Kategerry, it is said— The Sultan did not arrive in the Crimea till the 17th of November. After remaining for about a month with Mr. Carruthers, he removed to Sympheropole, where he is to remain for the present. Since his arrival at that place, one Tartar Youth of 14 years of age, the son of a respectable Tartar, has, without solicitation, been placed under his charge for education; and he understands that many other Tartars, some of whom are people of wealth, are also desirous of entrusting him with the education of their children, without any stipulation regarding religion. It is probable that a School will, in the mean time, be established in 25 this place, in which the New Testament will be introduced as a School-book. The Committee add The Missionaries deemed either Baktcheserai or Sympheropole to be the most favourable situation for the establishment of the Seminary, and for the head-quarters of the Mission; and it is probable selected. Mr. Carruthers resides at Baktcheserai, that one or other of these towns will be finally at present; diligently engaged in the study of the language, and conciliating the good opinion of the Tartars, by whom, the Sultan informs the Com-mittee, he is much esteemed. The testimony of Drs. Paterson and Station, was quoted at pp. 383 and 384 of Henderson to the Missionaries at this our last Volume. Caspian Sea.) A NEW body of Labourers has, last year, entered into this field. The German Evangelical Missionary Society, at Bâsle, has sent Six Missionaries to the shores of the Caspian. Messrs. Dittrich and Zaremba, mentioned at p. 39 of the last Survey, having proceeded to Petersburg, were there joined, after some time, by Five other Students from Bâsle. One of these,, Mr. Curfess, having caught cold on his journey, finished his mission and entered into rest ten days after his arrival at Petersburg: he was a man of great promise, and highly beloved his funeral was an affecting scene-he was borne to the grave by his six brethren! A Ukase having been granted by the Emperor, allowing the establishment of Missionary Colonies and Schools with Printing Presses among the Heathen and Mahomedan Tribes beyond the Caucasus with the same privileges as are enjoyed by the Scottish Missionaries, the Six Missionaries set forward for their destination, in May, by way of Moscow and Astrachan: these were Augustus Dittrich, Felician Zaremba, Frederic Hohnaker, Henry Benz, Henry Dieterich, and Durs Boerlin. At Moscow, the last two, not having been ordained, were admitted, on the 26th of May, to the Ministry: Mr Boerlin being indisposed, he and Mr. Dieterich went forward more slowly to Astrachan. Brethren visited Sarepta and the Christian Calmucs in their way, and arrived The other four at Astrachan in June. After staying some time at this place, measures were to be taken for procuring a suitable spot for a Missionary Settlement on the borders of Persia. In reference to this last mentioned country, we quoted, at p. 45 of the former Survey, a passage from Sir Robert Ker Porter in which he speaks of the late Henry Martyn as designated in Persia by the name of the "Man of God." Sir Robert has stated the following circumstances:-He was asked by some Persians, when on his way to visit the King, if he was acquainted with the Man of God, and could tell them any thing about his religion. He inquired whom they meant-what man of God. They replied Henry Martyn, or so described him that Sir Robert knew that they meant him. He told them, that he had heard of him. Said they, "He came here into the midst of us—sat down encircled by our wise men and made such remarks upon our Korân, as cannot be answered. Our King has called upon the wise men to answer them, but they cannot. The first thing the King will demand of you, will be with regard to this subject. We want to know more about his religion, and the book that he left among us." us, that the British Resident at Bushire assured him that Martyn's TestaA friend has told ment was held in bigh estimation by the noble and learned in Persia as a work of beauty, and, to use their own words, as a "master-piece of perfection:" the Resident had parted with all his copies, and intended, to procure : more from Bombay. The testimony of Drs. Paterson and Henderson to the Scottish Missionaries at Karass, Astrachan, and Nazran, whom they visited, was printed at pp. 382-384 of our last Volume. At Nazran, Mr. Blyth had gained the Jan. 1823. E confidence of the Inguish, and was labouring hard at their language, when a sudden stop was put to his plans, by a direction of the Governor-General of the Province to quit Nazran and proceed to another Station of the Society: on what ground this order was issued, the Committee are not aware, as Mr. Blyth was living on the most friendly footing with the Russian Officers at Nazran, and had prosecuted the Society's objects in the most prudent manner. Mr. Blyth had retired to Astrachan, quitting his Station with the most painful feelings, but with reason to hope that he had not laboured in vain. He writes from Astrachan, under date of Feb. 16, 1822 : The parting expressions of kindness and gratitude, and the good wishes which several families of the Inguish desired me to communicate to my father and mother, to my brothers and sisters, and all my relatives, and every individual of my acquaintance, quite overpowered my feelings, and sent me home to my lodgings with a sorrowing heart. As I withdrew from Nazran, and left the inhabitants to ignorance, perhaps for ages, I shed tears of pity over their spiritual desolation; and offered up the silent prayer, that God would conduct me to another Station, where similar encouragements may present themselves. The Russian Empire occupies a portion of the last division of the Survey, and extends over the greater part of the present and the whole of the next divisions. The Missions established in this vast range of territory, are greatly assisted by the Russian Bible Society and its numerous Auxiliaries. The Petersburg Tract Society also renders valuable aid; and by the liberality of one individual, the Princess Mestchersky, they are supplied with Tracts in the Russ Language: the Princess has herself translated a number of English Tracts into that tongue, hundreds of thousands of which are in circulation. /SAREPTA. A Settlement of the Brethren, on the River Sarpa, UNITED BRETHREN. same day, we had the pleasure of witnessing the delightful fruits of a seed, which had been scattered under like wanton insults and severe trials. During the winter season, this small body of Christians inhabits a little island in the Wolga, near Sarepta; where they have built a wooden house for the Missionaries; they themselves living in their "kibitjes," or mat-tents, both in winter and summer. During the summer season, they Schill, Loos, Dehm, Missionaries. live a few miles from Sarepta, at the foot of some The happy death of a Calmuc Woman, hills. Here we visited them; and reached their the Wife of Dschimba, Brother to Sodnom, habitations in about an hour from Sarepta. They one of the Chiefs of the Horde, and its in-have six kibitjes: a seventh, distinguished by its fluence on others, were mentioned in the last Survey. We extract, from the Brethren's Periodical Accounts, some further particulars: In consequence of the hostility of the Prince of the Horde, who would no longer permit Dschimba or the Missionaries to reside among them, Br.Schill had moved, with the small company of Calmucs who were disposed to attend his Ministry, to the opposite bank of the Wolga, about twenty-five wersts from Sarepta. Here, however, they could not remain long; and they have since, accordingly, moved on to the land belonging to that Settlement, with their camels, horses, cows, and sheep. They are 22 in number; and among them are two families of Derbets, who have accompanied them from attachment to the doctrine of Jesus, and who behave themselves in the most orderly and peaceable manner. The two single Missionaries, Loos and Dehm, were expected shortly to join their company; after which, we must be guided by the circumstances, which it may please the Lord to direct for the prosecution of this Mission. An interesting narrative of the removal of these first-fruits from among the Calmues to the Brethren's land, was given at pp. 508-511 of our last Volume. The German Missionaries, in their way to Astrachan, having witnessed the difficulties which Mr. Rahmn has to encounter among the Calmucs, remark We had seen the sowing of the seed of the Word under afflictive circumstances. and now, on the size and neatness, is the dwelling of the Missionaries and the Place of Worship of the Congregation. We received a hearty welcome. Sodnom is of stroug stature. He is about 40 years, of age. His features discover great intelligence, and an upright and decided character. His inward peace is legible in his countenance. These Calmues are of the Koshot Horde, under Prince Serdeshab, son and successor of Prince Tümen. They nomadize on the banks and islands of the Wolga, between Sarepta and Astrachan. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Cornelius Rahmn, Missionary. The report of Mr. Rabmn's proceedings was placed, in the last Survey, under the head of Astrachan: it should have appeared, as now, under that of Sarepta, as his head-quarters are here. In June 1821 Mr. Rahmn, in pursu ance of his intention, intimated in the last Survey, entered the Great Steppe, and resumed his labours among the Calmucs of the Dorbât Horde. Of his proceedings, the Directors say He met with a cool reception from Prince Ser bitshap, and endured much scorn and opposition from others. In the true spirit of a Missionary, however, he calmly prosecuted his labours. Sometimes he met with attentive hearers; but this seems, to have been rather a rare occurrence. He dis tributed copies of the Calmuc Gospels; and entered into frequent discussions with the Lamas concerning Christianity, who, notwithstanding they made no allusion to the Scriptures, had yet secretly obtained copies of the Gospels, through the medium of their disciples. KARASS. A large Village in Asiatic Russia, between the Black and Caspian Seas, near Georghievsk. SCOTTISH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 1802. Rev. John Jack, Alexander Paterson, James Galloway. The Committee thus notice the indications of a Divine Blessing at this Station:— For a long time after the Missionaries began their work, they were held in abhorrence by the Mahomedans--now, they are generally treated with of the Tartars to their superstition was rigid in the much kindness and regard: formerly, the devotion extreme-now it is greatly relaxed. These are assuredly tokens for good. When the German Missionaries were at Sarepta, in June of last year, they had much pleasant intercourse with Mr. Rahmn. He was waiting for a fellow-labourer, in order to proceed with more confidence among the Calmucs. He had opened a School for the instruction of their children in reading and writing, and had pitched his tent among them for that purpose. They were full of suspicion and fears with respect to this School, lest he should introduce the Christian Religion, or pur.lated very widely throughout Asia. Mr. Carrusue some other sinister design. An extract from one of their communications will give a view of his difficulties: The love with which Mr. Rahmn treats the Calmues is incomprehensible by them; and as they are themselves, in the highest degree, cunning and treacherous men, they suspect him as meditating to bring on them some great evil. After repeatedly assuring them, that, in his proposal of a School, Ee intended to teach the children, for the present, only reading and writing, they promised him 14 Scholars: but rarely more than six or eight attend; and more frequently, but two or three. As soon as these become weary of their lessons, they leave the School; and if Mr. Rahmn were to restrain them, they would never return. He continues, however, patiently and courageously to bear up under all difficulties, with prayer and supplication, and in hope of the final fulfilment of the Divine promisës. : His own words, at the close of his Journal, breathe a truly Christián Spirit :Here I will raise my Ebenezer. It is evident that the Steppe is the true field for a Missionary in these regions. I trust the Lord has a 'work for us, if we are able to go on with vigour. Strengthen Je my hands, and, let us go forward to prepare a way for the Lord in this wilderness! The conversion of Calmues and Mongolians, under the Russian Government, will one day, I hope, prové a means of carrying the Gospel into the very heart of Asia, where numerous tribes speak Mongolian, and may be a secondary means, at least, to rouse China itself.) May the Lord hasten it in His own time! and may great grace be upon us all! BIBLE SOCIETY. A Branch of the Russian Bible Society has been formed at Sarepta, in consequence of the visit of Drs. Paterson and Henderson. They write, Sept. 4, 1821— Although the Brethren in this Colony are the oldest correspondents of the British and Foreign Bible Society in Russia, no attempt had been made to establish a Branch among them. Their proximity to a number of German Colonies which have been planted on the banks of the Volga, and their connection with the different Calmuc Hordes who nomadize in the surrounding Steppes, rendered it highly desirable that such an Institution should exist among them; and we, accordingly, had several interviews with the Bishop and Elders of the Brethren's Congregation in this Settlement, in which we endeavoured to place the subject before them in as important a light as possible, and pointed out to them the steps it would be necessary to take, in order to effect the proposed association. They entered fully into our views, They add From this Station, the Word of God has circu⚫ thers, the Missionary in the Crimea, states, in one of his last Letters, "A few days ago I conversed, in the market, with a young man, who showed me a copy of the first edition of the Karass Testament; and it may gratify you to know, that another copy was observed in the hands of a murderer, in a neighbouring prison." The Missionaries thus speak of their labours: We have almost daily intercourse with the Natives, either in their own villages, or when they call on us. We read and explain Chapters of the New Testament and Tracts. Their attention can seldom be kept alive to a long discourse. Their Effendis are apt to enter into disquisitions concerning the freedom of the human will, the origin of evil, &c. Against the Divinity of Christ, and his being called the Son of God, they frequently raise objections. They however think that Islamism is a cause which is losing ground in this quarter the teem: people are turning careless about it, in their esprayers are not punctually performed: others do not keep the fast: some doubt whether prayers for the dead can be of benefit, and grudge to pay the fees required on these occasions. The power of the sword cannot now be exercised, and little attention is paid to exhortation. Mrs. Galloway has been removed to her eternal rest. She died in holy joy, exclaiming, with St. Paul, O death, where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory! In the Survey for 1821, p. 37, we mentioned a Journey of Mr. Glen from Astrachan to Karass, and another by him and Mr. Galloway among the Jambuluk Tartars. A small Volume has just appeared, containing the Journals of these Tours, with remarks on the country and its inhabitants, and the substance of many conversations with Mahomedans. It may be read with great advantage. ASTRACHAN. A City in Asiatic Russia, and Capital of the Province-built on an Island in the Wolga, about 52 miles from its mouth, on the north-west of the Caspian-Inhabitants, 70,000; of many nations—a place of great trade. SCOTTISH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 1815. Rev. William Glen, Messrs. Dickson, Mitchell, M Pherson, and Selby. The Committee divide the operations at |