RODEZAND, IN TULBAGH,

(FORTY MILES NORTH OF THE CAPE.)

Mr. Ariel Vos preaches regularly to the Hottentots and slaves. Mr. De Lang, Secretary of the Society there, says, "We cannot help expressing our joy on account of the great increase of the heathen who attend the preaching of the Gos pel in this place. This circumstance redoubles the efforts of our brother Vos, whose labour, through the grace of God, is not in vain; as the fruits thereof are already reaped, by which we are encouraged to proceed joyfully in the work of the Lord."

It is the wish of the people to be formed into a church, and that Mr. Vos should be ordained their pastor.

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OPINIONS OF JEWS RESPECTING BIBLE ASSOCIATIONS.

Extracted from the Second Annual Report of the Committee of the Aldgate Bible Association.

As the field of exertion abounds with that ancient and once highly favoured people of God, the Jews, considerable attention has been devoted to them by your Committee. Endeav ours have been made to prevail upon the Jews to read the Holy Scriptures in the English language; and, notwithstanding the prejudices and difficulties which have been been encountered, every lover of the truth must be greatly delighted to hear, that many of the Jews have manifested anxious desires to obtain the English Bible; and others have, with the utmost readiness, become free subscribers to this institution.

To the Jews alone twenty-seven Bibles have been sold, and forty-seven of them are now subscribing to this association. Several who were free subscribers in the first instance, have since expressed an anxious wish to be supplied with Bibles; and your Committee have gladly embraced the opportunity of complying with their requests.

A poor Jewess, who had been for some time a free subscriber, lately lost her husband; and the collectors, supposing she could not afford to continue her subscription, did not call as usual. But the next time they collected in that neighbourhood, she reproved them, by saying, "You need not be afraid of calling; for, though I am a poor widow, I can spare a penny a week for the Bible Society;" which she continues regularly to pay. A respectable teacher of the Hebrew language, who was visited, made many judicious remarks. He was perfectly aware of the object of the institution, and highly approved of the free circulation of the Scriptures among the Jews: because, as he candidly observed, they would then

possess the means of comparing and judging for themselves. After near an hour's interesting conversation, he presented the visitors, unsolicited, with a donation of three shillings, adding, that having a large family to support, he was unable to contribute more towards such an excellent institution.

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A respectable Member of the Society of Friends, has obligingly favored us with the following extract of a letter lately received from the celebrated Lind.. Pey Murray, an American now residing in England.

"My native land is advancing in Arts and Sciences, and in the prosecution of a multitude of useful occupations. May the light and knowledge which are breaking in upon you, not only conduce to your temporal convenience and enjoyment, the comfort and pleasure of a short life upon earth; but prove the instruments of preparing you for the felicities of an endless life! Your Institutions for disseminating the Holy Scriptures; for civilising, and I hope, evangelizing the native Indians; and for promoting universal peace, are noble undertakings, full of promise, and of such immense magnitude in their effects, that if they who are engaged in them, could possibly foresee these consequences, they would probably be doubly animated in their hopes and exertions. There is no reason to fear, that a well-tempered zeal will urge too ardently, in pursuits of a nature so highly conducive to the best in

terests of man.”

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ONONDAGA INDIANS.

From the Cortland Repository, Homer (N. Y.) Sept. 6, 1816.

The PRESBYTERY of ONONDAGA met in this village on Tuesday of this week. Much important business respecting the interests of Zion in this section of our country came under their consideration. From their free conversation on the state of religion, it appears, that there is reason for gratitude to GOD for his spiritual blessings upon our churches and congregations. Most of them are increasing in numbers, and some of them are visited with the special influences of the spirit of GOD.

A committee, previously appointed to visit and enquire into the state of the Onondaga Tribe of Indians, reported, that they consider it as a subject of lamentation, that this ancient tribe of natives should exist pagan idolaters, in the midst of a people of knowledge and religion, and nothing done to recover them from this wretched state. Is it because there is no love to JESUSno love to immortal souls among us?

Some circumstances appear favourable, at the present time, for an attempt to enlighten them. They have considerably reformed in their moral habits. The ase of ardent spirits is generally discontinued.

They generally acknowledge the BIBLE to be a revelation from GOD, though they consider it given for the use of white people. There are many families among them who would wish to have literary instruction afforded their children; and desirous of some assistance in the mechanical arts. mechanic of piety and abilities, having a respectable family, together with a female school-teacher, may be established there, with a prospect of usefulness. Considerable property will be requisite to erect buildings, and for other pur

A

poses; yet, we conclude that a liberal public will freely contribute to promote an object so worthy of their patronage. The committee earnestly beseech the Reverend Presbytery not to let the present opportunity pass, without making an effort.

The Presbytery, feeling the importance of the subject, appointed a committee to carry this report into effect. The following persons were appointed: Rev. Messrs. Willcox, and Leavenworth, and Deacon Joseph Forman, Joseph Swan and William H. Sabin, Esqrs.-to either of whom, any persons wishing to contribute to this object, may forward their donations.

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JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

THE auspicious era has arrived, when out of the mouth of even Babes the Lord will perfect praise, and when little children shall be instrumental in extending the knowledge of the Lord. What an admonition this to many old Professors who stand all the day idle in the vineyard of the Lord. It is high time to awake out of sleep, "the night is far spent, the day is at hand: whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest."

A number of children belonging to the South Church, assembled on Wednesday the 20th inst., in order to form a Female Juvenile Tract Society, the meeting was opened by prayer, and a very appropriate address delivered by their Pastor, after which the following Constitution was adopted and officers elected.

CONSTITUTION.

ARTICLE I. This Society shall be called The first Female Juvenile Tract Society of New-York. The sole object of this Society is to distribute, (gratuitously,) Tracts among the poor of this city, and assist Sabbath Schools.

ART. II Any person subscribing to this Society four cents monthly, shall

be considered a member.

ART. III. The officers of this Society shall consist of a Directress, Secretary, Treasurer, and twelve Managers, who shall be chosen at the annual meetings of the Society.

ART. IV. It shall be the duty of the Directress to preside at all meetings of the Society, preserve order, have the casting vote, and at the request of two of the Managers to call special meetings.

ART. V. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to give notice to the Managers of all special meetings at least one day previous to the time appointed, to distribute the Tracts, to record all the meetings of the Society in a fair and legible hand, and to read, at every meeting, the minutes of the preceding one. ART. VI. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to keep an account of all the receipts and expenditures of the Society.

ART. VII. It shall be the duty of the Managers to collect subscriptions, to call on the Secretary for their Tracts, and to supply their subscribers with them.

ART. VIII. It is requested of the subscribers, if they should not wish all their Tracts, to leave them with the Managers, and the Managers to return them to the Secretary.

ART. IX. The stated meetings of the Society shall be held on the first Wednesday of every month, at half past 4 o'clock, P. M. The Managers shall meet half an hour earlier, to transact business. Six Managers shall form a quorum.

ART. X. When the business of the Society is closed, the remaining time shall be spent by the members in reading their Tracts, and relating any good effects which may have resulted from their distribution.

ART. XI. In case of any vacancy, or disqualification of any of the Managers, it shall be their duty to choose one from the members at their next monthly meeting, to supply the vacancy.

ART. XII. This Constitution cannot be altered in any respect, unless with the consent of two thirds of the members present.

BY-LAWS.

I. This Society shall be opened with prayer, and closed by reading a portion of Scripture, or singing.

II. It shall be the duty of the Managers to collect as many subscriptions as possible, and keep a list of their subscribers, and see that they pay punctually.

III. Any Manager absenting herself from a stated meeting, shall pay a fine of twelve and a half cents, unless a reasonable excuse can be given; but on refusing to attend four successive stated meetings, shall no longer be considered a Manager.

IV. All unnecessary talking, as well as light, trifling behaviour, shall be avoided during the hours of meeting.

V Each member shall be entitled to receive one half the amount of her subscription in Tracts.

At a meeting of young persons, held on Wednesday, the 20th of August, 1816, the foregoing constitution and by-laws were read and unanimously adopted, and the following persons elected as officers:

The Rev. Mr. MATTHEWS, Treasurer; Miss MARGARET BOYD, Directress; Miss CHARLOTTE HEYER, Secretary; Miss EMILY KEESE, Miss JuLIA NITCHIE, Miss ANN M. HUTTON, Miss PHEBE C. HEYER, Miss CaTHARINE SUYDAM, Miss LOUISA FISH, MISS MARY ANN JOHNSON, Managers.

The remaining number of Managers to be elected at the next monthly meeting of the Society.

May we not hope that this example will be imitated by all the dear chil. dren in our city. Every little girl and boy will then be a Missionary. And, children, consider how much good you may do! You often hear wicked children use bad words and tell falsehoods, and thus, by their evil example, scatter fire-brands, arrows, and death, like the madman described by Solomon. Do you endeavour to counteract that evil, by spreading abroad the word of life? Parents, may we not hope that you will encourage your children thus to cast their little crumbs on the waters, for who knows but they may be found after many days to have fed the hungry soul of some poor prodigal, or even have returned to them with a blessing? "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

**A Juvenile Bible Society has also been recently organized in the same Congregation.

At a meeting of the Charitable Society for the Education of Pious Young Men for the Ministry of the Gospel, held at New-Haven the 12th instant, the Rev. Dr. Lyman preached a highly impressive and appropriate Sermon, from Psalm 46. 4. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God. We are indebted to an obliging friend, who was providentially present, for the following animating passages from that eloquent discourse.

"The British and Foreign Bible Society, the noble prototype of the American Bible Society, hath done wonders since its establishment, and exhibited a peerless example of wisdom, benevolence, and practical utility. The last mentioned establishment, formed within the compass of the present year, bids fair to rival the Parent Institution. Into its channel hath already burst an almost unparalleled stream of munificence. In due time it may become a stream which shall overflow its banks, demolishing the mounds of deistical obstruction, and conveying throughout the dreary regions of ignorance, guilt,

THE CHRISTIAN HERALD.

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and wretchedness, the raptures of faith, and the joys of salvation. Let us pray that these sister institutions may form one potent current, which shall be resistless in its progress, and which an evangelized world shall ere long recognize as a branch of that river by which the city of God is made glad."

With the view of exciting the charity of the wealthy, the Preacher, in the close of his discourse, exclaims-" Come, ye rich, whom the Lord hath prospered in your temporal concerns, make friends in heaven and on earth of a mammon of unrighteousness. Cast in-cast in of your abundance to the treasury of the Lord, and thus rob corruption of its food, the moth of its repast, and the canker of its corroding employ. Catch the mantle, and glow with the spirit of the earth-resigning and heaven-mounting Boudinot, that you may swell the river which fills Jerusalem with joy."

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NEW BIBLE SOCIETIES.

African Bible Society at Newark, (N. J.)

While Ethiopia is widely stretching out her hands to receive the Missionaries of the Cross, and the poor and hitherto despised Hottentots are not only flocking in multitudes to the standards of the Redeemer, but also contributing largely to the support of missions, it is truly gratifying to hear, that the Christian sons of Africa in this country are beginning to feel something of that noble and generous ardour which warms the hearts of their countrymen across the water, who have been made partakers of the like precious faith with themselves.

It is one of the extraordinary signs of the times, that God is making instrumental to the dissemination of his word, not only all denominations of Christians, but even in some instances Mahomedans and Heathen. It is also a subject of praise to an all wise Providence, that the various descriptions of the human family, old and young, rich and poor, persons of both sexes, white and coloured, are becoming engaged in the blessed employment of spreading the light of Divine Truth among the benighted children of men.

We have in a former Number mentioned the establishment of the African Bible Society at Philadelphia. We rejoice now to have it in our power to announce the formation of a similar institution at Newark, New-Jersey, on the 6th of August last. We cordially bid them God speed; and would say to the people of colour in every part of this country, go and do likewise.' Who knows but the disposition thus given to you to honour your Creator and Redeemer, may be the prelude of general blessings to be drawn down upon