are contemplating China with lively interest on the Continent. The friends of missions in Germany and Switzerland feel as much interest in our Chinese mission as if it were their own. Principal Hoffman, of Basle, has given great publicity, by his Quarterly Journal, to the lives of Drs. Morrison and Milne, and to the work of Mr. Medhurst, and to the character of our friends who have been "baptized for the dead." The Arch

deacon of Basle, also, has just published the first little volume of an illustrated work for children, which brings under the notice of the young anecdotes and pictures of missionary schools, and of the orphans adopted and educated in missionary families. A work of this kind is wanted for our own young folks. It would be as popular in the nursery as Miss Thompson's Juvenile Missionary Magazine is in the Sundayschools, if the prints were striking in design, and well coloured. In the meantime, until we have such nursery book, I have promised to cater for the German one, and shall be glad to convey any juvenile anecdotes or sketches to its excellent and influential editor.

In Germany they are embarrassed, as we are in England, by the reports about China which Mr. Gutzlaff sends home, or by the letters said to be from him, which appear now and then in their newspapers. The last letter they saw was dated from Pekin, where he certainly never was in his life; and then its contents are incredible, so far as the number of converts at Macao is concerned. What should be said of this? I really knew not what to say in Germany, although I had just parted with Lord Jocyline on the Rhine, who had had Mr. Gutzlaff as his translator in China. His lordship himself hardly knows what to think of him. He says that there are many fine points about his character, and that some of his daring is really necessary for a Chinese missionary, but that they are defeated or neutralised by his gasconade. He fully acquits him of all intentional misrepresentation. I am not violating confidence nor taking unwarranted liberty in saying so. His lordship has no objection to be named as a friend to our Chinese missions, and he will himself state in Germany his concessions on behalf of Gutzlaff.

Happily no missionary society is at all responsible for the sayings or doings of this remarkable man. He is identified, however, with the Chinese mission by ignorant journalists and wily Jesuits. It is therefore necessary to guard the public against his enthusiastic rhodomontade, painful as the task is to me. I have long wished and tried to think well of him, and so have my coadjutors; but although we have occasionally managed to laugh at his extravagance, we have often wept over it in secret.

Ac

cordingly, we deemed the selection of the men lately sent out to the mission a signal providence, as their judicious character will be a pledge to both the church and the world that their movements will not be rash nor their reports exaggerated. This fact is duly appreciated in Germany; and, but for your relation to Dr. Legge I would state that appreciation in strong terms.

Allow me now to throw out a hint to the friends of missions in this country, which would find in Germany private Christians to act it out, if Britain could only adjust the affairs of Palestine. The vinedressers in the Rhenish provinces could furnish proud settlers for Carmel, Sharon, and the vale of Jericho, who would soon make "the mountains of Judea run down with new wine" again; and what is better, would exemplify what Judea has never seen since the destruction of the second temple, "the beauty of holiness" in churches and families. Could some groups which I could name be transplanted as vine-farmers into Palestine, under any sure protection, they would soon do more to explain and commend Christianity to the natives than either an episcopate or a presbytery. The Pope is now afraid of our Protestant designs upon the Holy Land, and watching our national policy towards Syria. Some of the new Cabinet know well his personal opinion on this subject; not, of course, since the change of Administration. He speaks more freely to outs than ins on this tender point, and has been of late very cautious, as he well may, now that so many powers claim the right to shield the holy sepulchre.

It is hardly a conjecture, that German emigrants, such as I have characterised, would give a new and healthful impulse to private life in Palestine, could they only obtain public security for person and property. The vinedressers who went to the banks of Missouri from the Rhine, have bettered their own condition, and will soon be a blessing to America. There is, too, I think, a colony of them gone into Australia. But they owe more to Palestine. Constantine's Christian soldiers brought the vines of Syria to the mountains of the Rhine, and thus made the waters of the Rhine the channel of civilization; and it is now time, surely, to pay this debt.

Could a plan of this kind be realized, Judea would just be the place, and such a colony the very atmosphere in which to train Hindoo converts for the home ministry of India. Indian colleges, hitherto, have spoiled them for native work, and so would England, even if we could afford to bring them over; but Palestine would suit their health, and the simple manners of a Saxon or Swiss community would purify their habits, without estranging their hearts from

simplicity of dress or diet.

This hint is not so fanciful as it seems, unless it be a mere fancy that Hindoo converts can hardly become a pure or efficient native ministry, if trained in their native moral atmosphere.

I must not conclude without saying something about the Home Missionary spirit of the Continent; but I will confine myself to what is least known-the Pilgrim Mission for the Black Forest, with its teeming and strange population. Last year my companions and myself made many inquiries into the condition and character of the foresters; and I left in good hands an appeal on their behalf, which our friend Thomas Thompson, Esq., drew up at my request. But then I could hear of nothing but Dr. Barth's facts which directly bore on the Forest. This year, therefore, I determined to try whether the colporteurage system might not be introduced into that world of woods. The Alps, Mont Blanc, and Lake Leman were strong temptations to me, especially as I was with friends who could sanctify as well as share the enjoyment of these scenes; but there is a Mer de Glas "before the throne of God and the Lamb" in heaven; and, to originate something which might eventually place one woodman there "with a golden harp" was more attractive. I stopt at Basle for a week, but it was not necessary; the good work had begun. The venerable Her Spiedler, the well known Secretary of the German Evangelical Society, and the founder of the Orphan Asylum at Basle, had obtained from Government the ancient and romantic church of St. Christiana, which he has fitted up as a pilgrim mission college for the

Black Forest.

Christiana has been for ages a favourite shrine with the Romish woodmen. Pilgrimages to it, as the sanctuary and sepulchre of St. Christiana, one of St. Ursula's 11,000 virgins, are still popular. But this, I think, is not the reason for the name Pilgrim Mission. The students will be pilgrims in the ravines and recesses of the Forest, to circulate Bibles and tracts, and to converse with the people. This will involve not a few of both the perils and privations of literal pilgrimage, especially in winter and spring. But the young men are trained to "endure hardness, as good soldiers of Christ." They work at the turning-lathe whilst studying, their books being open before them as they manufacture bone buttons for sale, in order to support themselves somewhat. It must not be supposed, however, that the bones come from their own table. No, indeed; they are donations to the college from Basle. Could not we send them some tortoiseshell?

The repairs of Christiana had just been completed when I reached Basle. Its now glazed windows gleam far over the Forest in

the morning and evening sun, and awaken general curiosity, for the church tower is lofty, and the hill on which its stands high. You will readily believe that I did not refuse to preach the first sermon in the new pulpit. When I got there, however, I preferred to preach from the altar, as the antique font made a capital desk for the Bible, and the chancel was large enough for all the audience who understood English. It was delightful to hear the vaulted and groined roof reverberating with the hymns and music of "the Wittemberg Nightingale," Luther; and hardly less so to preach his Gospel where mass had been so often chaunted and the Reformation anathematized! It was altogether a con amore service. I learnt afterwards that the priest of the district was present. But I will not intrude farther upon your space or patience except just to say, that I have sent a drawing of Christiana, and a somewhat full account of the Pilgrim Mission, to the "Journal of Civilization." Yours truly,

ROBERT PHilip.

Maberly Chapel, Sept. 5, 1841.

P.S. A few donations for the Pilgrim Mission from England would encourage its friends. I shall be happy to transmit any which may be entrusted to me, and to give you a fuller detail if required.

NETHERLANDS MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Rotterdam, Aug. 3, 1841. TO THE EDITOR,-Having sent you an account last year of the anniversary of the "Netherlands Missionary Society," which you were kind enough to insert in your useful Magazine, I trust you will have no objection to communicate to your numerous readers, a few facts in reference to that Institution. Its forty-fourth anniversary was held in the Remonstrants' Church, here, on the evening of Wednesday, the 21st ult., when the Rev, Adrian Van Deurge, formerly of Ostend, preached; and several others delivered addresses, after the English fashion; viz. the Rev. Mr. Stronek of Dordt, who was in the chair at the meeting; the Rev. Mr. Brava of Amsterdam; the Rev. Mr. Tideman of this city, and Mr. Bernardes Ledeboer, one of the Honorary Secretaries of the Society, and one of its original foundersindeed the only one now surviving. The report was read by the Rev. Dr. Hugenholtz. It gave a concise, yet comprehensive view of the operations of the society, both at home and abroad. At home, it has succeeded in establishing a college, for the express purpose of training young men to the Missionary work; an object which it has long contemplated, but could never accomplish till now. The superintendent of the college is the Rev. Mr. Hiebink, a man of known worth and ability. The number of students at present is small; but several new

applications for admission have been received, and much good, it is hoped, will result from the establishment of such a seminary. From several of the Missionary stations abroad, encouraging accounts have been received; but very much land yet remains to be possessed and cultivated, ere any thing like shouts of triumph can be raised. The inhabitants of the Islands in the Eastern Archipelago, where the Dutch Missionaries are stationed, are in a very low and degraded condition. They need, therefore, the prayers and sympathies of the Christian world. The work of education advances satisfactorily; but the work of general conversion to Christ proceeds more slowly. Though the Dutch were among the earliest in the field of Missionary labour, their success has by no means been equal to that of other later institutions; nor has their zeal been commensurate with the spiritual necessities of the heathen, in their numerous colonies. Something like a revival, however, has recently appeared; and new exertions are making to promote the interests of genuine religion both at home and abroad. The secession of many from the original Reformed Church, has had some influence in producing this awakening; and the noble example of our brethren in England and America, has also "provoked very many." May the Lord preserve alive, and increase the flame already kindled, till it shall spread over the whole land; till every heart shall beat with love to the Redeemer, and every hand shall be employed to help forward the Missionary cause. The Netherlands Society, like your own in London, has paid out considerably more than it has received during the year that is past. The deficiency, about a month ago, was not less than 14,375f. To meet this, the Committee resolved on addressing circulars to all the Universities, and all the Consistories in the land, in the hope and belief, that those who profess to be attached to the cause of Protestantism, which is indeed the cause of God and his truth, would come forward to their assistance in the time of need. What the full result of this measure may be, I know not; but I do know, as far as Rotterdam is concerned, that it has been attended with Many new subscribers have been obtained. Many of the older members of the Society have doubled the amount of thei incre besi

success.

nual contributions; and an annual of about 2,000. has been secured; donations to the amount of 3,000f. Sid the good example of Rotterdam be fowed by other places, and especially by Amsterdam, the Hague, Leyden, &c., not only will the actual deficiency be met, but a considerable increase to the permanent income of the Society will be obtained.

I remain, my dear Sir, yours faithfully, E. MILLER.

MISSIONARY PUBLICATIONS FOR SUNDAY

SCHOOL CHILDREN.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

You threw out a hint about a Juvenile Missionary Magazine, at the Meeting in Finsbury Chapel, when Mr. Thompson's plan for allying our Sunday-schools with the Society, was brought forward, which I have often wished had gone further. Why not begin the missionary education of all children in the nursery? Why not begin their education itself, by a missionary alphabet, spelling-book, and geography? This would be more pleasing, as well as more instructive, if well illustrated by coloured pictures of native schools and children, than the picture books now in use in the nursery. In Germany, they have a fireside book of the kind, which I have mentioned in my other letter, and which might be usefully instituted in this country.

This advance upon your own hint, I would have made in that letter, had I not been afraid that, as a passing notice, it might be overlooked. Circumstances, however, have occurred since I wrote, which induce me to announce my plan. I now see most of the means for accomplishing it. Part of them I found amongst Mr. Campbell's African drawings last year, and new sources have just opened.

The practical difficulty was the price. Should, however, the friends of missions welcome missionary picture books for the nursery, they could be brought out quite as cheap as the most attractive of the toys now in use. I intend, therefore, to try the experiment; and shall be very thankful to missionaries, or others, who can use their pencil, for any sketches which will illustrate any of the letters of the alphabet, or any geographical word. Anecdotes also of native children will be equally welcome. Such contributions may be sent for me to Mr. Snow's, Paternoster Row.

Yours truly,

ROBERT PHILIP.

SCHOOL FOR MISSIONARIES' DAUGHTFRs,

WALTHAMSTOW.

Contributions to the Building Fund.