The war has lowered the extravagant pretensions of the Government; and has awakened in numbers a desire to know more of the Religion, Laws, and Education of a people whose superiority they are compelled to acknowledge. Dr. Price has several pupils under instruction, and is decidedly favoured by the King; who has solicited a copy of the Scriptures for his own perusal, particularly in reference to the Historical Parts. AKYAB. An Island at the mouth of the Arracan River. 1826. J. C. Fink, Missionary. Khepoo, Kullafree, Oogharee, Meearung, Native Preachers. Is a district, 120 miles by an average of 25; ceded to Britain in 1760-Inhabitants, upward of a mil The maritime province of Arracan, lying lion they are of a mixed race, Hindoos, Mahomebetween Chittagong and Pegu, and about 230 miles in length by an average of 50, was recently ceded to Britain by the Burmans. Arracan, the capital, is about 40 miles from the Sea; and Akyab, where Mr. Fink generally resides, is an island in the Arracan River. The Arracanese are essentially the same as the Burmans, and have no Caste. In addition to his labours among the Natives, Mr. Fink conducts English Worship several times every week: in this, besides his own family, he is joined by several of the assistants in the Public Offices; who are of a serious character, and endeavour to promote the spiritual welfare of the Native Officers of the Courts, who are Natives of Bengal and Hindoostan. They likewise, when visiting different parts of the district, avail themselves of many opportunities of putting portions of the Word of God and Tracts into the hands of the Arracanese: the reception given to these books is highly gratifying: persons have come to Akyab, from very considerable distances, for the sole purpose of obtaining them. Two Boys' Schools have been established, one at Akyab, and the other in the Christian Colony; but they have not yet succeeded to our satisfaction: they contain only 16 boys. A Girls' School has been opened: it has 6 scholars. Scarcely a month has transpired during the past year, without bringing us some pleasing intelligence from this Station-something illustrative of the power of religious principle in our Christian Friends, or of the favourable disposition of the Heathen Arracanese to the Gospel. The devotedness of the Native Preachers to their work is great they are continually on the alert; and their labours receive a peculiar character, from the strong feelings of patriotism and natural affection which they display. The Members of the Church, generally, seem to be filled with the same spirit; and several of them, although dans, Arracanese or Mughs, the latter being essen- : On Sabbath Morning, Mr. Johannes conducts Divine Worship, both in Bengalee and English in the afternoon, he preaches to the Heathen and Mussulmans, in the marketplace and the streets: he does the same once or twice in the course of the week; and, in his visits to the Native Schools, constantly makes the Gospel the theme of his addresses. His chief attention is occupied by the English School (now separated from the Benevolent Institution of Calcutta) of about 140 children: every successive year brings fresh evidence of the great utility of this school; and every visitor is delighted with its appearance it has fitted many poor youths to discharge the duties, and receive the emoluments, of respectable, and even lucrative situations; and it has furnished many public officers and private persons with valuable assistants and servants: it derives its most interesting character, however, from the affec tionate and unremitting endeavours of Mr. Johannes to fill the minds of his pupils with scriptural knowledge, and imbue them with religious sentiments. There is likewise an excellent Native-Boys' School, containing about 60, in which Christian Instruction is freely communicated; and another, contain. ing about 30, which is supported by Mr. Johannes, and conducted on the same principles. He superintends, also, three very interesting Female Schools, containing 77 scholars. [Per. Acct. Nov. 1827. Several respectable Mussulmans have called on me, and said, that if I would employ them, they could easily establish Female Schools in the villages, and over the water : for every girl that leaves the Schools spreads the fame of them; and the knowledge of our exertions inspires the people with a desire that their villages might profit by them. Twice a-week, and sometimes oftener, I go abroad to invite the Hindoos to hear the Word of Life. At ease in their possessions, and not feeling the malady of sin, who would come to apply for relief? If the religion of Jesus did not require self-denial, and if it could be nominal, thousands ere this might have been proselyted; but the truth in the inward parts, These two Stations, Akyab and Chittagong, have hitherto been placed under India within the Ganges; but they belong more properly to the present head. Endia within the Ganges. OUR last Volume was enriched by copious extracts, as may be seen in the Table of Contents, from the Journal and Correspondence of the late Bishop Heber. We regret to learn that his Successor, who arrived at Calcutta in January of last year, has been under the necessity, from the infirm state of his health, to resign his charge. It will have been seen, from pp. 169-171, 180-188, of our last Volume, that the Church of Scotland is about to unite its efforts with those already in the field, for the Propagation of the Gospel in India. On the obligation to such exertions laid on this country, we extract the following passage from a Sermon by the late Bishop Heber, preached at the Consecration of the Church at Benares, the reasoning of which bears with force on all our Foreign Possessions: My brethren, it has pleased the Almighty, that the nation to which we ourselves belong is a great, a valiant, and an understanding nation: it has pleased Him to give us an empire in which the sun never sets-a commerce by which the remotest nations of the earth are become our allies, our tributaries, I had almost said our neighbours-and, by means (when regarded as human means, and distinct from His mysterious providence) so inadequate, as to excite our alarm, as well as wonder, the sovereignty over these wide and populous heathen lands. But is it for OUR sakes that he has given us these good gifts, and wrought these great marvels in our favour? Are we not rather set up on high in the earth, that we may shew forth the light by which we are guided, and be the honoured instruments of diffusing those blessings which we ourselves enjoy, through every land where our will is law, through every tribe where our wisdom is held in reverence, and in every distant isle which our winged vessels visit? If we value then (as who does not value?) our renown among mankind; if we exult (as who can help exulting?) in the privileges which the providence of God has conferred on the British Nation; if we are thankful (and God forbid we should be otherwise) for the means of usefulness in our power; and if we love (as who does not love?) our native land, its greatness and prosperitylet us see that we, each of us in our station, are promoting, to the best of our power, by example, by exertion, by liberality, by the practice of Christian justice and every virtue, the extension of God's truth among men, and the honour of that Holy Name whereby we are called. There have been realms before as famous as our own, and (in relation to the then extent and riches of the civilized world) as powerful and as wealthy, of which the traveller sees nothing now but ruins in the midst of a wilderness, or where the mariner only finds a rock for fishers to spread their nets. Nineveh once reigned over the East; but where is Nineveh now? Tyre had once the commerce of the world; but what is become of Tyre? But if the repentance of Nineveh had been persevered in, her towers would have stood to this day. Had the daughter of Tyre brought her gifts to the Temple of God, she would have continued a Queen for ever. In an admirable Letter, addressed to the Labourers of the London Missionary Society in India, by the Deputation of that Society which recently visited its various Stations, a full view is given of the extent, difficulties, details, progress, and encouragements of their labours. From this Letter we shall extract a few passages. After expressing their gratitude for the great kindness shewn to them by Missionaries and their Friends of all Denominations, the Deputation bear the following most honourable testimony to the Gentlemen in official situations— One more motive to grateful retrospection, we cannot forbear to name; it is, the kind interest which the Agents of the several Governments of the countries which you inhabit took in our travels. We have not met with one individual, however exalted in office, nor one of the multitudinous organs of those mild and admirable Governments, however high or however low civil or military, who discovered any opposition to our plans, or who appeared to wish to throw any obstacle in our path. On the contrary, all possible facilities have been instantly given us, to enable us to proceed to the various Missions which we wished to visit ; and, while upon the road, we have been overwhelmed by their kindness and loaded by their hospitalitykindness and hospitality rarely witnessed, and never exceeded, in any other country. To them our sincere acknowledgments are due; and we render them those thanks, the full amount of which we have not words to express: but these recollections are the more gratifying to us, viewed with reference to the Cause of the Redeemer in these immense and populous regions. The exalted personages to whom we refer well knew our objects: and were we left to reason from GENERAL DATA, we could not but come to conclusions highly encouraging to our hopes as it regards the feelings of these Governments toward Christianity in the countries which they controul; but we are not left to uncertain conjectures: the views and sentiments of most of those who are the highest in rank, both Civilians and Military, we have every reason to suppose, are decidedly favourable to Missionary Efforts and the Diffusion of Christianity. The following extracts will shew how just an estimate the Deputation appear to have formed of the actual state and prospects of Missions in India. Having travelled through all the countries over which your Stations are scattered, and taken, we think, an IMPARTIAL VIEW of the state of your several Missions, we greatly rejoice to recollect that we have seen you, with very few exceptions, faithfully devoting your talents to your great object, and have formed the most gratifying opinion of both your talents and your piety. Nor do we neglect duly to appreciate what has been actually accomplished, in bewailing what has not been achieved: you are responsible, not for success, but for the due and diligent application of those means which are within your power. To some Stations which we have visited, we can advert with peculiar delight, and exclaim- What has God wrought! We have beheld Hindoo Pagodas prostrated before the Gospel; and Christian Chapels growing up, and crowded by hundreds of attentive hearers; not a few of whom evince, by their lives, that they have turned indeed from dumb idols, to serve the Living God-glorious sights-but alas! how few, how rare!-Beloved Brethren, for the want of more success there should be great searchings of heart: allow us to entreat you to examine, and see whether there is not a cause. Why this barrenness of religion, after so much expenditure of missionary talent, and time, and money? How comparatively few the converts! what cause for lamentation and woe! How many millions are perishing for the lack of knowledge! How little is God known! How slight, comparatively, is the impression made on this hundred of millions of human beings! Oh let us humble ourselves before God in the very dust, that we have been no more concerned for their salvation-that we have laboured so little for their goodthat we have no more wrestled with God in prayer, that He would make bare His holy arm, and pour out His Holy Spirit upon them. When the Friends of Missions at home, and the Missionaries abroad, are found thus engaged, then we may expect this wilderness to blossom as the rose, and this desert to become as the garden of the Lord. Nor will we despair of seeing better days. We have a solid foundation on which to rest our hope and entire confidence, that, at some future period, if not now, these Heathen Regions shall bow to the authority of Christ, and unite to crown him Lord of All. It is not necessary that we should dwell on the Purposes and the Promises of God which assure us of the approach of so glorious a day: you know them; and do well, often to meditate upon them, in their variety, their comprehensiveness, their fidelity, and the sufficiency of Him who spoke them to give them their entire accomplishment. But, for your encouragement, consider why Divine Providence has, in so surprising a manner, broken the yoke of Mahomedan and Hindoo Tyranny, and put them under a Christian Government-and that, the most likely to do them good: this is the hand of God; and we cannot doubt that He has prospective designs in this stupendous change: He has given them to the English, that the English may give them the Gospel. Besides, but a few years ago the greatest opposition was raised against the introduction of the Gospel into these countries; but, now, every difficulty is removed; and, where England sends but one Missionary, she might send a thousand, and not the smallest obstacle would be thrown in the path of their Missionary Career by the Government. The growing indifference of the Hindoos to their own tenets and ceremonies is another pleasing omen of the fact we can have no doubt: indeed, to us, who have travelled so much among them, their Mythological System appears, like multitudes of their templesin a state of wretched dilapidation: both are tottering to their fall: a few years, and the world will witness some mighty change: knowledge is making rapid progress among the people : the Brahmins are falling into disrepute aware that covetousness is the main spring of their actions, their vassals are become impatient of the yoke: they will speedily cast it off-think for themselves-and embrace the Gospel. What means that eagerness, everywhere so ardent, to obtain Christian Tracts, Portions of the Scripture, and the various Publications which you are diffusing among them; and what the tendency of their influence? Besides, the Sacred Volume is now made to speak, to all these Nations in their own tongue, of the wonderful works of God: is not this a fact of auspicious aspect? A few years ago, scarcely a pious individual was to be found in these countries, in whose life religion could be seen, or who was disposed to plead the cause of the perishing Heathen at a Throne of Grace: but, now, God has a numerous seed to serve Him, scattered over the vast regions of India, who rejoice to aid your designs and to encourage your hearts; to assist you with their prayers, their example, and their pecuniary contributions. How many Benevolent Institutions are in vigorous operation; not only in the great cities of Calcutta and Madras, but also in various parts of the interior; labouring, in different ways, to circulate the Scriptures of Truth and Religious Tracts and Books—all aiding in your Missionary Career! Go forward, Brethren! in the Name of the Lord, exercising humble dependence on His Grace; and the proud walls of this Jericho will fall, and the song of victory and of triumph, which has been sung in other Heathen Countries, you will sing in these! The following Cautionary Hints deserve the deep attention of every Missionary :Often reflect on the nature of your Mission, and watch against every illegitimate application of your talents and of your time. Innumerable are the temptations which your own sinful nature, the vain world, and satanic craft will present to your view; to draw off your attention from your proper work, and leave you but half-hearty in the discharge of your duties. Yours is a work which admits of no compromise-which, in a peculiar manner, demands the whole of your talents, and your undivided time and attention. Too much English Preaching, keeping of Schools, composing Books on subjects merely literary, entering much into the society of your countrymen, attempting a variety of languages when one only should at first engross your entire attention, a restless hankering after home, a dislike to your station or the people among whom you labour, with a variety of other things, may become great snares to a Missionary, in taking off his heart from his work, entirely or in part. We have seen, with grief, the success of such allurements; and when these objects, or any other not directly Missionary, engross the attention, we cease to wonder at the want of success among the Heathen. Most affectionately we warn you against them, and all other illegitimate appropriations of your time and strength; and exhort you to give yourselves wholly to your work-a work which is worthy of an entire devotedness of all your powers. CALCUTTA. The chief of the British Presidencies in India In habitants, including 20 miles round, calculated, în 1802, at 2,225,000: those of Calcutta itself very variously estimated. AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY. In the Seventeenth Year, the Issues of the Scriptures or Portions of the Scriptures amounted to 8107. Some extracts from the Fifth Report of the Association will be found at pp: 402, 403 of our last Volume. In its Sixth Year, the Issues were 142 Bibles, 394 Testaments, and 3825 Single Portions; making the total from the beginning, 23,307. The Receipts were 4147 rupees, of which 84 were for sales: the Expenditure amounted to 4066. GOSPEL-PROPAGATION SOCIETY. 1820. BISHOP'S COLLEGE. Coast, arrived at the beginning of December 1827. The death of the Rev. T. Christian and his Wife, at Boglipore, was stated at p. 300 of our last Volume; and extracts of his Journals given at pp. 605-609, That Station has, in consequence, been relinquished. Mr. Morton has been recalled from Chinsurah, and has charge of the Cossipore Circle of Schools; while Mr. Tweddle has that of Howrah, and Mr. De Mello that of Tallygunge. In these Schools, 16 in number, with one at Barripore and another at Kodalee, there are 1550 Scholars in average daily attend ance. The support of these Schools has devolved on the Society; the ChristianKnowledge Society having maintained them up to the end of 1827. The Diocesan Committee report that their state of efficiency is highly satisfactory and promising on the College and Missionary Labours they state The College is making progress. It may be confidently hoped that the Incorporated Society has here laid a solid foundation for the Propagation of the Gospel in India; and that, at no distant period, their College may be looked to as the great hold and fastness of | James has been obliged, by his infirm pure Christianity in the East. health, to resign his charge : The results of Missionary Labour in this quarter, although not visibly marked by a great number of converts, have been, neverSome theless, unquestionably beneficial. powerful prejudices in the Natives, previously thought to be insurmountable, have been, in a great measure, overcome: the most valuable effect of this has been found in the now-willing reception of Christian Instruction, of Versions of the Holy Scriptures, and of other Christian Books and Tracts. The Income, from Dec. 11, 1826, when there was a Balance in hand of 9038 rupees, was 4609 rupees: the payments amounted to 12,665 rupees. The Committee have the pleasure to begin their Fifth Report with stating the accession of the Lord Bishop of the Diocese to the number of their friends and supporters. His Lordship, on his arrival in Calcutta, in the most obliging manner, complied with the request of the Committee to become Presi dent of the Society; and has already, by laborious and impartial attention to their affairs, laid them under great obligations. In reference to the Labourers connected with the North India Mission, it is stated Though the result of last year's operations at the different Stations occupied by the So The Rev. C. Simeon, as one of the Executors of Lord Powerscourt, has ap-ciety presents a greater number of Converts propriated 10001. out of funds left at their disposal, to the founding of a Perpetual Scholarship in the College; and considerable sums have been received from other quarters. One Youth from the Clergy Orphan School at Paddington promising well at the College, two others will be prepared for the same destination. The Chapel was opened on St. Thomas's Day 1827; and was consecrated, by Bishop James, on Ascension Day, the 15th of May. CHRISTIAN-KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY. than during any former year, yet it has, on several accounts, proved a year of unusual trial to the Committee. The departure of the Rev. John Perowne to England, on account of ill health, took place immediately before the publication of the last Report, and Burdwan was left without a Missionary. In July last, the Rev. Mr. Bowley was obliged, from a similar cause, to leave Chunar; and when he returned in November last, he was by no means recovered, nor has he yet been able to resume the active duties of his Mission: while Mr. Morris, also, from domestic affliction, has been much interrupted in his labours at Chunar. The Rev. Mr. Adling debility, has been obliged to leave Benares; and, on the necessity of the measure being certified by medical friends, is about to embark for England. The Receipts of the Diocesan Com-ton, after struggling two years under great mittee, on the General Fund, for the Eleventh Year, were 1890 rupees as Contributions, and 1019 for Books; and on the School Fund, 1448 as Contributions: with Bills on the Parent Society, for the General Fund 3063 rupees, and for Schools 8182. The Payments were 11,747 rupees on account of the Schools, and 5508 on account of the General Fund. The Issues of Books have been, 257 Bibles, 857 Prayer-Books, and 4695 Tracts and larger Publications. Portions of the Scriptures have been widely dif fused and eagerly sought after. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY: Deocar Schmid, John Theophilus Reichardt, P. S. D'Rozario, Printer. In addition to these afflictive dispensations of Providence, the Committee have had the still more painful trial of contending with three of the Society's Missionaries in Calcutta, on the subject of the Regulations established by the Parent Society for the direc tion and maintenance of the Missionaries sent from England. On the whole of the correspondence being submitted to the Bishop of the Diocese, his Lordship approved of the Committee's proceedings as to the points in dispute in consequence of which, two of the complainants, persisting in their opposition, have been separated from the Society, and have proceeded to England. See, on this subject, pp. 174, 360, 472, 575 of our last Volume. The Committee add The arrival of the Rev. Mr. Latham, in October last (1827), is the only counterbalancing circumstance which the Committee have to set against this diminution in the number of Missionary Labourers. By the particular instructions of the Parent Society, |