must be by the dissemination of knowledge among the rising generation, that the almost unlimited power of the Musselmen priests must be destroyed. The work is great and arduous; outward circumstances appear forbidding; but an unshaken confidence in the power of divine grace forbids me to despair. Though, fast bound by the prejudices of superstition, and in the fetters of delusion, the Javanese appear to furnish little ground to hope for their conversion, it is not our province to be dismayed, for "the zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall perform it." Wherever I have been, have found the natives entirely under the control of their priests and teachers, so that they have not dared to read a tract unless they had first shown it to them, and received their opinion on its contents. These teachers are for the most part very ignorant; their knowledge, in many instances, extending little farther than the ability to read the Koran in the Arabic character, without understanding the meaning of twenty words in it. There is a numerous class of persons who have performed the pilgrimage to Mecca. These men are held in great respect, and live upon the credulity of the people. I asked one of them, what good he had obtained by so long and painful a journey? he replied, that God had commanded it, and he hoped to obtain salvation by it. I endeavoured to convince him that his hope was false, and that a work of that nature could not reconcile God to a sinner. He agreed to every thing I said; still I could not forbear lamenting, that his ideas of the character of God were so incorrect, as to lead him to hope for safety in him as a merciful Being, without once thinking of his justice. Men are ruined in their eternal interests by ignorance of God! We are all now tolerably well; death has carried off scores of Europeans of late, but a merciful Providence has preserved us. I am now writing at the table at which Mr. Trowt often sat, when lingering under the dreadful dysentery which carried him off. O that may follow him in his zeal and devotedness to the cause of God! DUTCH MENNONITES. --- Extract of a Letter, dated April 2, 1818, Hoog-straat, Rotterdam. minister, who is a Dutch Baptist, or Mennonite, and has the character of being a pious and learned man. It is greatly his wish to promote an acquaintance with the English Baptists: for which purpose he would be glad to open a correspondence with any intelligent person in London, or elsewhere, of that denomination, to interchange communi. cations on the state of religion, &c. This co-operation might extensively promote objects of a public nature for the spread of truth. His name is Mr. Mascaart; and he being a respectable man, and desirous of doing good, I have thought of making an effort through him to recommend the Baptist Mission, and some other benevolent objects, to the churches in the Mennonite connexion, (which, through Holland, I learn, are both opulent and numerous, particularly in Friesland,) and also to the German Baptists. I wish you, therefore, to forward some copies of Fuller's Abridgment of the Baptist Mission, Ivimey's History of the Baptists, and any other publications you deem suitable to the design of making this object fully known. Mr. Mascaart informs me, that he has had for some time in MS. a General History of the Baptists, in his own writing, but has not yet had an opportunity of printing it. He further states, that most of the literary journals throughout Holland are conducted by ministers of the Mennonite persuasion. THE GERMAN ROMAN CATHOLICS. (From the Times.) On the death of the late Primate, who was also Bishop of Constance, the Baron Von Wessenberg, his General Vicar, in the diocese of Constance, was nominated to succeed him. The Pope refused to confirm the nomination; but the Grand Duke of Baden, his Sovereign, maintains him in his situation, in defiance of the Pope's authority; and in so doing he is supported by all the sovereigns of Germany. The Grand Duke of Baden contends, that as Sovereign, he is entitled to nominate to the vacant diocese, and that such nomination ought to be held good, till it be ascertained by competent judges, in partibus, that an improper person has been chosen. In this case, after the most rigorous inquiry, he has found the Baron Von Wessenberg's qualifications of the highest kind, and his conduct to have always been most exemplary; he contends, therefore, that the refusal, on the part of the Pope, is an arbitrary act, to which no deference ought to be paid. The whole case is laid before the public, in a memorial from the court of Baden, accompanied by a number of very curious documents. It appears that the Baron Von Wessenberg, in his capacity of Grand Vicar of Constance, being sanctioned by the Prince Primate, and the Chapter, has been the author of many important reforms in the church, that have long given great umbrage to the Court of Rome. Among his other reforms, it appears that he absolved monks from the oaths of celibacy, quoting the wellknown language of the apostle Paul on the subject; that he caused the service to be translated into, and celebrated in the mother tongue; that he dispensed with the use of the Breviary; that he altered a number of inconvenient forms, with respect to baptism, &c.; that he appointed stated examinations of the clergy; that he abolished all but a few festivals, and prohibited all ringing of bells on the days and eves of those abolished; that he, with the consent of the civil authority, converted monasteries, &c. into places of education, and hospitals; formed a new and more commodious division of parishes, and distributed the livings into classes, which were bestowed according to merit, and in which all extremes were avoided; and that he discouraged pilgrimages, &c. It appears also, that he protected a professor who had distinguished himself by his skill in liberal learning, after a mandate had been issued against him by the Pope, on the ground that he ascertained the accusations in the mandate to be unfounded. The Bishop is supported by all the clergy of his extensive diocese, and indeed by nearly all the clergy of Catholic Germany. Among the lay Catholics there is but one opinion concerning him. TOLERATION IN PERSIA. Ir is well known that the Mahometans profess to believe that Jesus Christ is a great prophet; that he performed miracles; that he ascended up into heaven; and that he will judge the world. They in general, however, treat Christians with great contumely and cruelty. We are happy to hear that the Prince Royal of Persia is attempting to protect the Christians in that kingdom. He has lately assembled at Tauris, a city of Persia, containing about 200,000 inhabitants, a Divan, composed of the Sheickal-Sellaum, (or head of the faith, an office answering to that of Mufti in Turkey,) and the principal doctors of the law, and proposed the following questions for their determination. 1. Was Jesus Christ a true prophet sent from God? 2. Are the laws contained in the Gospel just? 3. Is it lawful to blaspheme these laws? The first two questions were answered in the affirmative; the last, in the negative. These decisions have re ceived a legal form. The Prince Royal has in consequence punished one of his domestics for insulting a Christian. help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord | against the mighty." Mr. Coles, of Bourton, commenced in prayer; and Mr. Foster concluded. A collection was made on behalf of the Mission, at the close of each of these sermons; and on Friday evening, the 25th, the Rev. Edward Burn, M. A. of Birmingham, kindly preached a sermon on behalf of the Society, at St. Thomas's church, from Psalm cxxxviii. 2: "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." After which a collection was made in aid of the Translations at Serampore. The Society met for the transaction of business at Broadmead, on Wednesday morning, the 23d. Joseph Smith, Esq. of Bristol, was called to the chair. Prayer was offered by Dr. Steadman, of Bradford. dially thank him for his services; and request him, in conformity with the preceding resolution, to devote himself exclusively to the service of the Mission. VI. That the Committee be requested to accept the thanks of the Society for their services, and to continue them for the ensuing year. VII. That this Society recommends the Committee for the ensuing year to take into consideration the propriety of making some alterations in the future constitution of the Committee, and as to the place of holding the annual meetings. VIII. That the warmest thanks of this Society be presented to the friends of the Mission in Scotland of all denominations, for the liberal assistance which they have rendered to the friends of the Society in the course of this year. IX. That this Society is gratefully in debted to the various Auxiliary Societies The Secretary made a statement of throughout the United Kingdom for their the particular reasons which had ren-important aid, and recommends the fordered it expedient to call the Society mation of such Societies wherever it may together on an earlier day than that be found practicable. which was fixed upon at the last annual meeting. On which it was resolved, That the Society admit the force of the considerations which led our friends to make the alteration alluded to; but recommend that in future the regular time for holding the annual meeting be strictly observed, and that the precise days be inserted in the resolution which specifies the place at which such meeting is to be held. A Report, comprising the latest intel. ligence received from the various missionary stations, was then read by the Assistant Secretary, after which the following Resolutions were unanimously passed: I. That the Report now read be received, and that it be referred to the Committee, to determine respecting its publication. II. That the thanks of the Society be given to Mr. King, the Treasurer, for his services; and that he be requested to continue them another year. III. That the thanks of the Society be presented to Dr. Ryland, the Secretary, for his important services; and that he be requested to continue them for the ensuing year. IV. That the accumulated business of the Society renders it indispensably necessary to associate with Dr. Ryland a Secretary who shall be wholly devoted to the service of the mission. X. That the next meeting of this Society be held at Cambridge, on Wednesday and Thursday, the 6th and 7th of October, 1819. be presented to Joseph Smith, Esq. for XI. That the thanks of this meeting his able conduct in the chair. street meeting-house, on Thursday morn A public meeting was held at Kinging, the 24th instant, for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society for the city of Bristol. Arthur Foulks, Esq. of Redland, had kindly but as he was unavoidably prevented by consented to preside on this occasion; called on Joseph Smith, Esq. to take the some domestic occurrences, the meeting chair. A statement of the Baptist Missions was given by the Assistant Secretary, after which it was unanimously re solved, 1. That this meeting cordially ap proves the object of the Baptist Missionary Society, and warmly congratulates it on the success which has attended the la bours of its missionaries, in preaching the gospel of salvation,-in translating the Holy Scriptures into so many of the Ori ental languages, and in establishing schools for the instruction of heathen children. 2. That, in order to promote and extend the interests of this important cause, a Society be formed in this city, to be called The Bristol Auxiliary Baptist Mission ary Society. V. That this Society, highly satisfied with the conduct of Mr. Dyer, as Assist-lations be adopted as the plan of this 3. That the following rules and regu ant Secretary for the past year, do corSociety: I. Every annual Subscriber of half-aguinea, or upwards, shall be considered a member of this Society; and every person making a donation of ten guineas, shall be a member for life. II. Every annual Subscriber of one guinea, or upwards, and every member for life, shall be entitled to the printed Accounts of the Parent Society. III. The concerns of this Society shall be managed by a Treasurer, two Secretaries, and a Committee of thirty Sub scribers, to be elected annually; the Treasurer and Secretaries to be considered members of the Committee, any five of whom to be a quorum. IV. The Committee shall meet quarterly, on the third Monday evening in January, April, July, and October, at 7 o'clock, at the Academy, in Stoke's Croft, and at such other times as they shall think fit. V. A Collector shall be appointed by the Committee, with such allowance of poundage, and upon his giving such security, as the Committee shall think fit. VI. The Subscriptions and Donations to this Society, after deducting the Collector's poundage, and other incidental expenses, shall be remitted to the Treasurer of the Parent Society, at such times and in such manner as the Committee shall appoint. VII. A Meeting of this Society shall, be held annually, in the month of No. vember, at such time and place as the Committee shall appoint, to receive a Report from the Committee, together with the audited account, and for the election of Officers and Committee. 4. That JOHN HART, Esq. be the Treasurer: the Rev. THOMAS ROBERTS and Mr. JOHN DANIELL, jun. the Secretaries; and the following gentlemen the Committee of this Society for the year ensuing: 5. All Subscriptions and Donations for the specific purpose of translating the scriptures, or for the support of native schools in India, shall be applied exclu sively to either of these objects, according to the will of the subscriber or donor; and that Subscribers of one guinea an nually, or Donors of ten guineas at one time, for the translations or schools, shall be also entitled to the printed accounts of the Parent Society. 6. That the thanks of this meeting be presented to those gentlemen from a distance, who have favoured this meeting with their company and assistance on this occasion. The chair having been vacated by Mr. SMITH, and taken by the Rev. THOMAS ROBERTS, it was resolved unanimously. That the cordial thanks of this meeting be presented to JOSEPH SMITH, Esq. for his kindness in taking the chair on this occasion, and for his able conduct therein.. N. B. Subscriptions and Donations will be gratefully received by the Trea surer, JOHN HART, Esq. the Secretaries, and any of the Committee, DUNFERMLINE AUXILIARY To the Editors of the Baptist Magazine. The spirit of liberality exhibited on this occasion was truly delightful, and I trust you will prize that liberality as it de serves, when you are informed that our President is a member of the Antiburgher congregation in this town; and that our Committee is composed of individuals who are connected with almost all the different denominations of Christians in the place. There were also present at this Anniversay, the following ministers of different denominations, some of whom addressed the meeting Mr. Chalmers, one of the ministers of the established church;* Mr. Braud,: minister of the chapel of ease; Dr. Hus. Mr. M'Lean, the other established: minister, was absent from home at the time of the meeting. He called on our Secretary a few days after, with his band, Burgher minister; Mr. Eben. | general, nor unite at the table, in com About 41. were collected at the doors for the Native Schools, and nearly 81. subscribed; besides about 171. for the general purposes of the mission. I trust, our English brethren will see, from the example of Glasgow, Dunfermline, &c. that the inhabitants of Scotland value the Baptist Mission in some measure as it deserves; and that we can look above our differences on some subordinate points, and join heart and hand in assisting the Baptist missionaries in disseminating through the dark regions of India, the records of eternal truth. 1 am, yours faithfully, D. A. ADAM, Jun. Dunfermline, Aug. 29, 1818. They earnestly wish to remove this bar to their comfort and communion; and have obtained for this purpose a suitable piece of ground, on which they desire to erect a very plain, but a much larger house. The estimated expense of this building is more than three thousand pounds: one third of this sum these poor Negro Christians have engaged to contribute, and they now affectionately appeal to their white brethren in England to aid them with the remainder. Mr. Coultart, who has been obliged to come home on account of severe indisposition, intends, in the next three or four months, to collect for this most interesting case as widely as he can; but as he is anxious to return to his beloved flock, there are many of our churches which he will not be able to visit: even to them, however, it is hoped this appeal will not be in vain. Surely if any case of the kind merits the prompt and generous assistance of our churches, it must be this. The fol THE PECULIARLY INTERESTING CASE lowing ministers, to whom it is well OF THE POOR NEGRO BAPTISTS In Kingston, Jamaica. THERE have been some Christians of our denomination among the negro po'pulation of this island, for the last thirty years. Their teachers have been men of their own rank and colour, who being exceedingly ignorant and superstitious, were very unqualified for the service, and on this account have not enjoyed the protection of the laws. Their affecting condition being known and deeply felt, some of our Missiona ries have lately been sent among them, whose labours, and particularly those of Mr. Coultart, have been much blessed. There are at present in Kingston, and its vicinity, nearly two thousand baptized persons of this class, who, although the subjects of much ignorance and imperfection, appear to be the true followers of the blessed Redeemer. Many of them have been collected, and formed into a church; but their place of worship is exceedingly inconvenient as to situation, is uncertain in its tenure, and what is much more to be lamented, is too small to contain even half the members. Hence they can neither all worship together in subscription of a Guinea, and an anonymous donation of 1. left at his house during his absence, known, and who highly respect the character of Mr. Coultart, most earnestly recommend it, and will be gratified in receiving subscriptions in aid of it. I. Birt, Birmingham. T. Coles, Bourton-on-the-Water. Bristol. J. Ryland, D. D. ASSOCIATIONS. THE SOUTH-EAST ASSOCIATION in WALES, was held at Brecon, June 2 and 4. The number of hearers is greatly increased, and in several churches the prospects are pleasing. The increase of members in this Association, during the last year, is 419; in the Western Association, 308. The Circular Letter is, On the Duty of holding fust our Profession. The next Associations are to be held,— the South-east at Newtown, Montgomeryshire, on the first Wednesday in June, 1819; the Western, at the Tabernacle, Carmarthen. The KENT and SUSSEX ASSOCIATION was held at Brighton, June 2 and 3. Four destitute churches have been settled with |