less extent with this sacred tongue, which alone is taught in all their colleges, and is employed in all religious ceremonials. 3rdly. The highest reverence is universally entertained for it, and any book or manuscript written in it will always be received with respect, and read with more acceptance than if composed in any of the vernacular dialects. 4thly. Thousands and tens of thousands of Brahmins, in all sections of the countrythe whole of the Nuddea district for instance —as well as in many of the great cities, such as Benares, &c., are fully qualified to read with intelligence any ordinary composition in Sanskrit, many even to converse in it with fluency. extent at least as the Latin does of the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese; or, at all events, entering so largely into their composition, and so greatly affecting their genius and idiom, as to render the knowledge of it indispensable in a fully accomplished translator; thirdly, as of literary and subsidiary importance sufficient, all other considerations apart, to justify so small an outlay as is required for its preparation. Finally. That we have deemed it only just, and in the spirit of brotherly kindness and Christian fellowship, to offer to our fellowlabourers of the Baptist Mission, the assurance of our confidence and affection; since so far from sympathizing with the mistaken sentiments of the letter in the Patriot, our judgment wholly approves of the zealous efforts made by them to secure a version of the sacred scriptures in the learned language of Hindostan, deeming it of great value and importance, and a work which we cannot doubt will prove, under a divine blessing, largely contributory to the grand result of India's evangelization. Fifthly. A translation of the sacred scriptures into Sanskrit was in ours, and we believe the general, if not universal, opinion of those most competent to be judges, every way desirable ;-first, as furnishing a large amount of Brahminical population with the only version they would probably receive, the vernacular dialects being always unstudied by them, and held in contempt as the languages only of the illiterate and vulgar; secondly, as laying, so to say, a critical foundation, and furnishing a classical model for the preparation or improvement of vernacular versionsthe Sanscrit forming either the entire substratum of the various dialects, as of the Bengali, Oriya, and others, to the same (Signed) Calcutta, October 17, 1843. T. BOAZ, Sec. C.D.C.L.M.S. AFRICA. FERNANDO PO. Mr. Merrick, who with his friends reached Clarence in safety on the sixth of September, writes thus on the eleventh : It is with much gratitude to our heavenly Father that I am permitted to write you from Fernando Po. We arrived here on Wednesday evening last, and experienced no small degree of pleasure in finding brother Sturgeon pretty well, and his dear wife considerably better than she had been for some time. Our whole missionary band, excepting myself, are in the enjoyment of health. I am considerably better to-day, and have, with Dr. Prince and brother Sturgeon, been able to attend to the ceremony of taking possession of the mission premises. The documents have all been signed according to the directions of an attorney, and will be forwarded, I suppose, by Dr. Prince. The inhabitants of Clarence rejoice that the society have become owners of the property, and since our arrival, their fears respecting the recent proceedings of the Spanish government have been considerably allayed. The town is, however, under Spanish rule, or rather, is governed according to certain rules and regulations left with Capt. Becroft, but which, from all I can learn, are equitable and proper. The court for the adjudication of offences consists of five persons, two of whom, Jos. Wilson and John Thomas, are members of the church, and another, Thomas Houghton Johnson, an inquirer. Before concluding, I must advert to the work in which you and our dear friends in England are so deeply interested, and which we have come here to promote. Notwith standing dear brother Sturgeon's frequent not time to communicate all I have seen. It illnesses, the church under his care has en- is, however, evident that God has made bare joyed much prosperity. There are forty-four his arm at Clarence, and is doing a great members in the church, and about sixty work. catechumens, many of whom our brother hopes are savingly converted. Worship has for the last month been held in the largest room in the government house, which, with the piazza, accommodate about 500 persons, but which is far too small for those who flock to hear the words of eternal life. But I have I purpose as soon as possible going over to the continent, where I hope to fix my abode. Let me hear from you as early as possible on this subject. My dear baby has been very poorly, and is still unwell. Mrs. Merrick, Mrs. Prince and child, and Dr. Prince, are all well. Dr. Prince, in a letter of the same date, addressed to a gentleman at Liverpool, with a sight of which we have been favoured, after referring to the inconveniences and unexpected detentions of the voyage, adds, We have, however, been largely com- transpired upon our arrival. You cannot pensated for past grievances by the lovely reception which was given to us here on Wednesday, the 6th, and Thursday, the 7th, when our little band landed in the presence of a multitude, neatly attired; and between whom and the waters' edge, were ranged, in a semicircle, the members of the new church now springing up out of infancy to a growth of forty-four in number. They welcomed us with a hymn of praise from their hearts and with gushing tears from their eyes; and the whole population has been in motion, exerting themselves to disembark our stores, luggage, &c., and labour with the alacrity and perseverance of ants to bear them up the lofty cliff on which the settlement stands. I cannot pretend, in this hurried moment, to relate the gratifying events which have imagine a more affectionate, orderly, and Christian welcome. We mean to hold a public meeting to tell them of their friends in the West Indies and Great Britain. Mr. and Mrs. Sturgeon are in tolerable health, and have been largely blessed in their untiring services to God amongst this people. This morning we have taken formal possession of the settlement, and a vessel, the Snowden, owned by Agett and Hemmingway, has providentially called off this port in her exit from Cameroons, bound for your port. I take the first opportunity to transmit, under cover to you, the deed of conveyance, for Mr. Angus; taking this mode lest otherwise it might be posted to London at a heavy cost. Captain Medgley, lately hence for Liverpool, would readily charge himself with any thing for us. WEST INDIES. BAHAMAS. A letter from Mr. Capern, dated Nassau, New Providence, October 12, 1843, contains information respecting domestic afflictions with which he has been visited, some interesting conversions, and several of the out-islands. can, I think, adopt with sincerity the language of the psalmist, "I will sing of mercy and judgment; unto thee, O Lord, will I sing." Since we have been at Nassau, the autumn of each year has been marked by the prevalence of fever, but this season has been unusually severe, as, in addition to the prevalence of fever, we have had the influenza and measles, which latter disease is now very general in the town. For a time, the house of God presented a most distressing and cheerless aspect, more the chapel, and the Spirit of God made what than two-thirds of the usual congregation she heard "a savour of life unto life," unto being confined to their houses by the one or her. Her name is Phebe Wallace, and it the other of the above complaints. Our Sun- will gratify dear brother Burton to know that day-school too, was almost entirely forsaken she has found mercy at the "eleventh hour." by both teachers and children. Nor have we, as a family, been exempted from a share in the calamity, if it be right so to call it. My dear wife was attacked by fever of the intermittent type, in very aggravated form, so that we were compelled to send for medical assistance in a hurried manner. The disease, blessed be God, yielded to the treatment, and she is now gradually recovering her strength, although extremely weak. Just as she was able to leave her room, our eldest boy fell sick of the measles, and had them so severely as to induce us to obtain for him medical advice; and now that God has raised him up, he has laid low, partly by the "hip-joint complaint," and partly, it is feared, by inflammation of the brain, our second boy, so that at this moment we despair of his life. The doctor has intimated to us that we may be called upon to surrender him to the God that gave him to us. And we hope we feel that he has a right to dispose both of ourselves and our dear ones as he shall see fit. One of our servants is now sick, and likewise one of the three youths who are with us, preparing, I trust, for future usefulness either here or in Africa. The other two have fallen ill of the measles, but recovered; so that our house is now, and has been for some time past, like a hospital. I desire gratefully to record the goodness of God in preserving my own health, notwithstanding the anxiety and broken rest which you may easily conceive I have experienced. In the church, dear sir, we continue to meet with things, some of which cheer, while some discourage us. We rejoice over the stedfastness of some, but lament over the backslidings of others. We look upon some that we hope will be our joy and crown of rejoicing in the day of God, but of others we have reason to say, that "we fear, lest we have bestowed upon them labour in vain." On the first sabbath of September we baptized fifty-four candidates, and truly solemn and impressive was the occasion. Some of the number were young, and are therefore the hope of the church; others were well advanced in life. There was a very aged woman of the number, whose conversion to God is a wonder to many. Two of her daughters, and a grand-daughter, are members with us, and have been for years, and have suffered much persecution from their mother, whom divine grace has now made a guest at the same heavenly banquet. I have been informed that Mr. Burton, and also the late Mr. Pearson, have been most rudely treated by her. At my arrival at Nassau she had no wish to see a baptist missionary enter her house, but the mercy of God brought her to One of the males, about two years since, went home from an evening meeting, full of rage at what had been said, and declaring that he would go the next morning, and lodge a complaint to the magistrate against me, for saying what I did respecting a wicked man who had recently died; and at the same time swearing that he would never enter the chapel again. This man also sits now at the feet of Jesus, and clothed in his right mind. Thus there are some pleasing instances among us of the "word of the Lord being glorified." EXUMA. Our churches on the out-islands are, I trust, enjoying a good degree of prosperity. At Exuma, where our good brother F. M'Donald is labouring, the chapel has been enlarged, and the church increased in number both by admission and baptism. There are also others inquiring the way to Zion. RUM CAY. At Rum Cay is a good brother, by the name of Samuel Kerr, who reports favourably of the church at the south side; but on the north side things are less cheering. He has opened a day-school, the number of which I have not lately received any account of, but suppose it must be from sixty to seventy. He is a coloured man, and in early life enjoyed some advantages, and possesses good natural parts. In his character as a native teacher we must afford him some help, as the school will not support him. His wife and family are at Nassau, until we determine whether he shall be stationed for a time at Rum Cay or not. We allow him for his family, in his absence, 10s. 5d. per week. GOVERNOR'S HARBOUR. The school at Governor's Harbour, where our young brother, W. M'Donald, is at prethere are thankful for him. In the congregasent stationed, is prospering, and the friends tion there are a few inquirers; but a more able to make when we shall have visited the accurate and satisfactory return we shall be islands, which we shall set about soon, the hurricane months being now over. NEW PROVIDENCE.. I am sorry to inform you that, on the 30th of September, we were visited with a very heavy gale, which did some damage by land, but much more at sea. Several vessels were wrecked, and many lives have been lost. For the last five days there have been large sales of wrecked goods in the town. I have now, dear sir, to inform you that I have been compelled to anticipate the regular time for drawing on the society, by reason of sickness and the additional expense of housekeeping, having the three young native teachers to provide for, and have sold a bill to Messrs. John Thompson and Co. for £100, dated 11th October, 1843. It would afford us much pleasure to make the station bear the whole expense of the youths, but the destitution of the dear people, from want of employment, is distressingly great. Many have emigrated through poverty, and I expect that many more will. Still we hope for better times, though we see not how they are to arise. Begging an interest in your prayers, that we may be resigned to the will of heaven while the dark cloud of sorrow overcasts our domestic circle, I remain, &c. Mrs. Pearson, writing to a friend, says― We have a flourishing school. Can Mr. S. send me any little missionary books, to interest the young. We hold a kind of monthly meeting. If any kind friend were disposed to send me maps, juvenile school books, pens, paper, ink, needles, I should really feel very grateful. I have thirty children as my pupils for writing, ciphering, geography, &c., every day; and our infant school would make sixty more: about 120 on our books. We have some good youths in the house, intended for native teachers. EUROPE. BRITTANY. Some years ago the Baptist Continental Society commenced a mission at Morlaix, in Brittany. This mission was mainly supported from the first by some of the churches in South Wales, and at the dissolution of the Continental Society, was taken up by them exclusively, and has been maintained by them till now. A few months ago, however, an application was made to the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society, in the name of these churches, by the Rev. W. Jones, of Cardiff, requesting the committee to undertake the support of this mission, as the state of trade prevented them from supporting it efficiently and at the same time contributing to the Missionary Society. Before answering this application the committee thought it desirable to obtain a full report on the state and prospects of the mission, and requested their secretary and Mr. Jones to visit Brittany, and to make inquiries as to the openings for usefulness in that field. The following account contains the facts and recommendations which were afterwards embodied in their report. On Tuesday, Nov. 21, we reached St. Malo, after a long and stormy passage from Southampton, having spent part of the sabbath and Monday in Jersey. We first transacted our business at the custom house and passport office, and then prepared to start for Morlaix. We found, however, that there was no dili gence till the following morning, and accordingly spent the evening in viewing the town and in making inquiries as to the state of religion in it. St. Malo is built, like ancient Tyre, on a rocky island, connected with the mainland by a long causeway. The houses are of great height, and built of stone. The population (including the suburb of St. Ser-kins' stations, the other going on to Brest. van, built upon the mainland) about 20,000. Morlaix is the centre of that part of the popuThere are many English residing here, but no lation who speak Breton, and well suited to protestant chapel. Service is occasionally be the principal station. The whole populaheld by one or other of the ministers of the tion of Brittany about 2,500,000; of whom French Protestant Church. 500,000 speak Breton and French, and 500,000 Breton only. This Breton is closely akin to the Welsh. Frenchmen cannot understand it, nor do the Bretons generally use the French. There are four dialects of the Breton, two of which, however, are scarcely different. Romish books are published in them all, and to a large extent. This language Mr. Jenkins thoroughly understands; he speaks it and writes it with great fluency. As he is the only protestant minister who understands it, his presence and services are obviously of great importance. On the 22nd of November, we started by diligence for Morlaix, which place we reached after a ride of four and twenty hours. The first part of the route lay through a beautiful country, abounding with orchards. The last twelve hours, however, were over wild and unfruitful moors, rich only in granite, heath, and broom, the very broom (genet), indeed, which gave our Plantagenets their crest and name. Throughout this part of our journey we were much struck with the quaint appearance of the people. Some were dressed in the The result of the visit to the various stations trunk hose of the sixteenth century, others in was very satisfactory. It is believed that goat-skin coats; and all had very broad- there is a good work going on in the hearts of brimmed hats and flowing hair. The crosses many of Mr. Jenkins' hearers-a work which by the road side were very numerous, and it is hoped will very shortly become apparent generally kept in good order-very different to all. in that respect from those we afterwards saw Nov. 24. At Brest (the first naval sea-port in Normandy. Popery has evidently a stronger of France) the deputation received repeated hold on the people than elsewhere in France. and most friendly communications from M. We were informed that at festivals and fasts the churches are generally much thronged. In favour of the people, however, it may be added, that the infidelity and the restlessness which distinguish too many of the French people, have not reached this district. In our journey we saw or heard of several ancient Celtic monuments resembling those at Salisbury Plain and Dartmoor. Brittany seems, indeed, to have been the sacred land of the Gauls, and the very centre of their worship. These accumulated ranges of stones are (some of them) very large and very numerous, and are, in some cases, still regarded with superstitious reverence; a feeling which the priests having sanctioned by now and then converting a cromlech into a chapel and a menhir (or long sun stone) into the pedestal of a crucifix. The so called saints of Brittany are unusually numerous. Most of them are peculiar to the country, and have been canonized for the most part by the popular voice. A history of these saints (of which there are at least 365) is one of the most popular books. The hardy and determined spirit of the people may be inferred from the part which the Vendeans and Chouans (mostly Bretons) took in the French Revolution. He Lefourdray, the protestant minister. On the 25th, the members of the deputation united again at Morlaix, and compared the impressions which they had gathered from their respective inquiries. We agreed in thinking that it would be most undesirable to abandon the mission. We agreed in recommending that some steps should be taken to erect a small chapel. All meetings are at present held in Mr. Jenkins' house, which is most inconveniently situated for this purpose. We afterwards looked at one or two sites, where a chapel may be built. The situations are public, and exceedingly convenient. A beautiful stream runs at the back of one of them, and would answer adNov. 23. About nine o'clock in the morn-mirably for the administration of Christian ing we reached Morlaix, a flourishing port and town of 10,000 inhabitants, beautifully We agreed, too, in thinking that a translasituated in a narrow valley, the rocks rising tion of the New Testament into vernacular immediately behind the houses of the two Breton was absolutely necessary. This was principal streets. Here we were met by Mr. the conviction of M. Lefourdray and of others, Jenkins, the missionary; and here we re- who all bore testimony to Mr. Jenkins' comsolved to separate, one of us remaining at petency for making such a translation. His Morlaix for the purpose of visiting Mr. Jen- tracts, which were printed by the liberality of baptism. |