between their former dry and spiritless notions of God and heavenly things, and the profitable and refreshing conceptions they now enjoy. Now, in some measure, they can see and feel the reason, why the apostle should speak in such rapture of "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord;" and why, with such exultation, he should give thanks for "the manifestation of the savour of his knowledg." Strange as, to some, these words may seem, they can discern good sense in them; since, in themselves, they have so quick, so distinct, and heart-pleasing perceptions of the fragrancy of the truth there referred to. It is to them a refreshing, vital, quickening perfume. It is "the savour of life unto life.” It is life in itself; and is life to them.

In the conclusion, I beg leave only to suggest, that, whatever may be the ostensible objections of those who do not approve of the doctrine of regeneration (I mean in its proper scriptural statement) it is to be feared that, with too many, they principally arise, either from a want of relish for that spiritual knowledge, spiritual experience, and spiritual service, which is implied in the regenerated life; or from a dislike to the humiliating tendency and import of the doctrine; or, as is most probable, from both. With respect to the latter: While insensible of the extent of their depravity and moral insufficiency, men are as much disposed to depend, for the change in question, on their efforts of amendment, as, while ignorant of the worthlessness of their obedient deeds, to rest their hopes of heaven on the ground of their imaginary merit. In our religious aims and endeavours, of whatever kind, we have no greater foes to combat, than our natural vanity and pride. It is a truth, however, that, if we are saved at all, our salvation, according to the gospel, will be effected in such a way, as that it shall appear to be wholly of grace; and God in Christ will have all the glory.

SELECTIONS.

Extracts from Mr. Ward's Journal; taken from the Periodical Accounts of the Baptist Missionary Society, No. 15.

Jan. 3d, 1804. Sheetaram and Koobeer returned home this day. From actual inquiry at all the villages and towns for thirty miles round Calcutta, it appears that no less than four hundred and thirty-eight widows have been burnt with their husbands in this circuit, during the last year.

VOL. II.

3 M

January 9th. To-day, brother Chamberlain, Felix, Krishna, Bhoyerub, set off to Saugur-island, a place of great resort among the Hindoos at this time, till last year, (when the government very wisely interfered) many threw their children to the crococodiles and alligators, as an act of holiness! For a person to walk in, and drown himself here, is considered as the highest degree of holiness, and as securing immediate heaven. Gonga is the word for Ganges, and Saugur for the sea, and here the Ganges and the sea kiss each other; hence the name Gonga-Saugur. Therefore all these benefits are to be obtained by bathing, or by drowning yourself, or your children, at this place! While I was among our Bengalee brethren yesterday, I was struck with the thought of this journey. I hope our brethren will be able to communicate the news of Christ's incarnation and death to multitudes, who will, on returning to their homes, carry it far beyond the bounds of Bengal.

January 29th. Krishno delivered his first sermon this evening at our house. It was the best gospel sermon I ever heard in Bengalee.

February 5th. Lord's day. Brother Marshman preached at home in English: I was among the brethren: Felix catechised at the Bengalee school. In the afternoon we joined three services. 1st. We had a prayer meeting on account of brother Chamberlain's journey to Dinagepore, and of his beginning a new missionary station; also on account of Krishno's going as far as Benares. 2d. Krishno and Petumber, senior, were called to the ministry, and set apart by laying on of hands. 3d. The Lord's supper was administered. In the evening, Petumber preached a good sermon to the servants. It was a happy day. We may now reckon on two Hindoos being ministers of the gospel. Mr. Edmonds preached for us at Calcutta.

February 18th. I have been ill for some days past, with an ague and fever; but it did not return to-day. One of the theses to be discussed at the college, at the next examination, is, “The natives of India will embrace the gospel, as soon as they shall be able to compare the christian precepts with those of their own books." Many of the mussulmen, mistaking this business, and being deceived by a false report, that after this examination, they were to be forced to appear at the government house, and become christians, were much alarmed. They presented petitions to some members of government, and offered money that they might not be forced to become christians.

February 28th. A byraggee, who came to see us some weeks

since, stays, and gives us hopes. He is a reverend man, with a long beard, something like Latimer in Fox's book of Martyrs. His name is Bydenaut.

March 5th. Brother Marshman, Krishno Presaud, Bhorrut, &c. this day set off to Ogrudeep, about three day's journey on the river. A large assembly of Hindoos is annually collected here for idolatrous worship. They have taken nearly eighty testaments, and seven thousand tracts to give among the people. They will go from Ogrudeep to Cutwa, about sixteen miles farther, to look out for a spot for brother Chamberlain.

March 14th. Brother Marshman returned three days ago, having given away all the tracts, and most of the testaments, and had been also to Cutwa. Yesterday, a byraggee called, and staid the whole day, having heard of the gospel at Ogrudeep. I was yesterday informed, by a letter from a gentleman of our acquaintance, that a number of persons near him have begun reading the Hindostanee tracts, and have taken them a long way, some as far as Patna.

March 23d. This evening old Petumber arrived, bringing Koobeer with him; also a man of the same cast as the former, named Hurry; and a young brahmin, named Ram Mohun, who has lately lived at Dhacca. We were revived by their coming, and still more so on hearing that these three looked towards Christ, as their only Saviour. In evening worship, immediately after their arrival, we sang, "Now shall my inward joys arise," &c. The latter part of the forty-ninth of Isaiah was the portion of scripture in course. Brethren Carey, Marshman, and I, after family worship, spoke to the native brethren in turn; and we sang Krishno's hymn, the chorus of which is " Full salvation by the death of Christ."

March 24th. This afternoon, Bydenaut, Koobeer, and Totaram came before the church, and were approved. I wish you could see Bydengut. He has a very large beard, a fine oval countenance, and a Roman nose. His account was very pleasing. The disin terested love of Christ, in giving his soul for sinners, seemed to have excited his attention to the gospel. Koobeer is a tall, longfaced man, aged about forty-four. Totaram is about the same age, and Bydenaut may be rather younger: the latter was a kind of by raggee.

March 30th. Four persons desire baptism; viz. Ram Mohun, Hurry, Roop, and Onunda.

March 31st. This evening, Ram Mohun and Hurry, were brought before the church, and received: Onunda, and Roop are deferred to another month at least.

April 1st. Lord's day. Brother Carey preached at home: I was among the brethren in the morning: in the afternoon, we partook of the Lord's supper, when three new members sat down. Totaram was gone home with Sheetaram, who could not stay. Sheetaram took twelve rupees with him, to build a native schoolhouse. In the evening, old Petumber preached, and was very severe upon the Hindoo superstitions.

April 2. This morning, several of our chief printing servants presented a petition, desiring they might have some relief, as they were compelled, in our Bengalee worship, to hear so many blasphemies against their gods! Brother Carey and I had a strong contention with them in the printing-office, and invited them to argue the point with Petumber, as his sermon had given them offence; but they declined it; though we told them that they were ten, and he was only one; that they were brahmins, and he was only a sooder!

April 6th. Old Petumber and Hurry are returned to Sooksaugur. We gave Hurry five rupees, to buy and sell fish for a livelihood. Ram Mohun stops, and will work in the printingoffice. We have begun the Shanscrit dictionary for the college: the college will take a hundred copies, at forty-eight rupees each. Mr. E. has lately sent a hundred rupees, as a present to the mission. Koobeer is returned: he is to begin a native school at his village, and to have five rupees a month at present.

April 12th. A letter from brother Fernandez mentions, that the man whom he sent with Puddo Nabhee is returned, and reports that Puddo Nabhee, on the way, returned to his old superstitions and worshipping of idols. I was always afraid that he would apostatize in returning to his own country.

April 26th. Three men from Jessore, having been here several days attentively inquiring, returned home this morning, giving a pleasing hope of their return. They had a paper with them, which was written by old Petumber; it had been read and read, till it was nearly worn to rags. Brother Marshman's schoolroom being too small, is now enlarging. We have forty boarders, and seven day-scholars, besides eight children of our own family who go to school.

May 19th. A letter is arrived from brother Chamberlain, informing us that he has taken a piece of ground at Cutwa, and is about to erect a bungalow upon it. We have also received a letter this week from old Petumber. Mr. G. sent two hundred rupees as a present to the mission this week.

June 3d. Lord's day. Brother Carey preached at home in

English and Bengalee: I was among the brethren in the morning: in the afternoon, while we were celebrating the Lord's supper, Rama Kaunt arrived, bringing with him two persons; one of them is one of the three mentioned in my journal of April 26, and the other named Ramdhon. We hear that brother Chamberlain is getting on with his bungalow at Cutwa, though he has been obliged to humour the mob, who would not let him build it on the spot which he had first taken; but he has procured another piece of ground. The enmity against the gospel and its professors is universal. One of our baptized Hindoos wanted to rent a house; after going out two or three days, and wandering all the town over, he at last persuaded a woman to let him have a house; but though she was herself a feringu, yet when she heard that he was a brahmin who had become a christian, she insulted him, and drove him away; so that we are indeed made the offscouring of all things.

June 11th. A young brahmin came a few days ago, who seems likely to continue with us: his name is Soroop. Several other persons have been on the inquiry lately; among the rest, two or three Ghosparrowites, who had been followers of Dulol.

June 23d. This week, the worship of Jaggernaut drew together a vast number of people to Serampore. A number of tracts have been given away; but many, out of ill-will, tore them and scattered them about the streets. This evening we consulted our brethren, respecting the state of the persons now on probation: the accounts of one or two were favourable, but others appear dubious.

June 24th. I preached twice at Calcutta, but had very few hearers, especially at night. The rains have begun about a fortnight, and we had a very wet passage down. Though we have been much discouraged at the fewness of hearers at Calcutta, yet there is reason to hope that our preaching was useful to the person who died last Lord's day, at the house where we preach; and also to the master of the house, who is become much more serious lately.

July 7th. Our native brother Totaram died on Thursday morning. He was taken ill on Tuesday night; said scarcely any thing before his death; but seemed to fear he should not recover from the first. He lately worked in the garden. All who knew him, both heathen and brethren, speak well of his walk and conversation. He was buried the same evening in our ground. Brother Chamberlain, who arrived a few days ago from Cutwa, assisted us; and each of us joined our native brethren, in carry