66 gan literature are less than nothing, and who may have been all their days intoxicated with the follies of this world, to a due concern for the salvation of their souls; and blessed be God, the same rich, free, and sovereign grace which invites them to true happiness and peace, at their first entrance into life, stands conspicuously forward for their relief, at the close of it. It ever remains 66 a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-even the chief" and the reception of this truth is every way as available to promote the salvation of the hoaryheaded sinner, whose life has been one continued chain of profligacy, as it is that of the most decent moralist! But Mr. Dore justifies his assertion by the supposition, that "God usually works by the most suitable means. There is no doubt that he does, if by "suitable means" be meant, such We have received a letter from means as, to his own infinite wisdom Mr. Birt, whose Sermon was reviewed in seem best adapted to promote his our last number, p. 53, 54, from which own glory; but if, as we suspect, the we find that he demurs to our critique, author intends to say that a Sovereignable with the omission which we pointed and thinks his discourse not justly chargeBeing usually works by such means as must appear to our shallow minds the most suitable to promote his glory, we demur to the position, and beg leave, with all due deference, to recommend to Mr. Dore's serious consideration the following words: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isa. lv. 8, 9. We could, here and there, select a striking and instructive passage from this Sermon, of which the following may serve for a specimen. out. On his letter we have only two remarks to offer. The first is, that it was never our intention to charge him with considering the peculiar doctrines of the gospel as threadbare topics, unsuitable to the taste of the present generation ;” and are sorry he should for a moment have suspected us of it. We assure him that we have a much better opinion of As to the other him than to suppose so. it is true, the characteristic doctrines particular, when he himself admits that of the gospel do not form a distinct head of discourse," he admits all we ask, and fully justifies our complaint. But when he pleads that the subject and occasion did not require it, and that the limits of his Sermon scarcely admitted of it, we are completely at issue with him! With regard to the latter, we beg leave to remind him, that Paul "has given a formal and detailed exposition of THE GOSPEL,' by the belief of which sinners are saved, in six lines or less, I Cor. xv. 1-4. and we know not what should have hindered Mr. Birt from doing the same. As to the former, the fact is, or we are greatly mistaken, that the generality of the preachers of the present day, do not estimate the importance of the gospel, after the same ratio that the apostles did; how otherwise can we account for the fact, that in one out of a hundred of their discourses, whether preached or printed, we shall scarcely find a clear and scriptural statement of the primitive apostolical gos-, "As the heart is wonderfully relieved by conversing with its best friend, so its gladness is augmented by hearing what God the Lord saith in his word. What he deigns to communicate, on three topics particularly affords peculiar pleasure: The views which the divine volume presents to us of the providence of God; of the sympathizing spirit of Him by whom all its affairs are conducted; and of that state of undisturbed tranquillity for which all God's present dispensations, however adverse some of them may appear, are designed to prepare us ; are like rays of light breaking through a thick gloom, to cheer and gladden the disconsolate soul. The richest classic stores of Pa-pel: " Religious and Literary Entelligence. METHODIST MISSION TO CEYLON. tongues, in order to have access to those who do not understand English, and in the mean time avail ourselves of any opADVICES of a very interesting nature portunity of instructing, and preaching to have just been received from Messrs. such as may be disposed to hear us in Lynch, Ault, Erskine, Squance, and English. He appeared to be fully satisClough, the five missionaries who pro- fied with our design, and assured us, that ceeded along with the late Dr. Coke, to we might expect every encouragement preach the gospel in the island of Cey- in so good a work; and in an after conlon. They arrived at Point de Galle, on versation, he informed us, that the gover the 14th July last, where they were re- nor, and himself, and others, not being ceived by Lord and Lady Molesworth in acquainted with our funds, and how we the most polite and friendly manner; as were to be supported, had been consulting they also were by Mr. Kinneman, a on some means of assisting us, in case we Dutch magistrate, who evinced a very stood in need of it; and that the only friendly regard towards them. They de- means which they had in their power, scribe the latter to be a pious man; and and which they thought would most efas there is no clergyman in the place, he fectually answer what they supposed himself officiates after the Dutch manner. to be be our design, was for us to open "He expressed great thankfulness to God English schools in some of the principal for our arrival," say the missionaries; places, whereby we would teach the naand looked upon it as a singular provi- tives, and at the same time, be in the most dence, that we were forced to that place, effectual way of learning their language. in order that an acquaintance might com- As such a proposal was unexpected, we mence between himself and us; and he took some time to consider of it; the rehoped that, if one or more of us stopped sult of which was-we believed it to be of at Galle, we would not neglect visiting God; and from the instructions which we him. We parted with prayer and Chris had from the committee, we believed tian feelings. Though, agreeable to the our accepting of the proposal, would fully governor's orders, every necessary provi- meet their views. Accordingly, we re sion was made for us at his own house, turned his excellency, and himself (Mr. for several days after our landing, we B.), our warmest thanks, and gratefully dined and took tea with Lord and Lady accepted of their kind proposal. He Molesworth. On the first Sunday, at the gave the governor all this information, request of his lordship, we had divine and in a few days received advice, that service in the church; and on the same his excellency approved of our design and evening, he intimated a desire to join plan, and that he thought a salary of 50 with us in our evening worship. This rixdollars per month could be allowed to was what we did not expect; and, during each school; and as Columbo was already the several times which he afterwards fully supplied with English masters, he met with us, we believe he felt it profit thought Jaffna, Manaar, Batticaloe, able to be present. Immediately on our Galle, and Matura, were the most eligi arrival, his lordship wrote to the gover- ble places. Mr. Bisset further informed nor. On his receiving an answer, he in- us, that this was only the governor's opiformed us, that the Rev. Mr. Bisset would nion; and that we were at full liberty to pay us a visit in a day or two; which he accept of any or none of these places, as did on the 6th, and gave us to understand, we judged most suitable to ourselves; that any information which we might and advised us to take some time to conthink proper to give to him, was the same sider the matter, before we should deteras to the governor. On his expressing a mine. And as he was just setting out desire to know whether any, or all of us, again for Columbo, we might write in a were in holy orders, we produced our day or two, which would answer the same ordination-letters, by Dr. Coke, &c. and end. To this prudent and friendly adinformed him, that we were of the Wes- vice we cordially agreed; and on Monleyan, or, as many term us, Church Me- day morning, July 11, we opened our thodists. We also shewed him the last little conference. Our first question was, British and American Minutes of Con- Should we separate so far, and to so ference, and our last Missionary Report, many places?-After looking at every ardrawn up by Dr. Coke; and pointed to gument for and against the question, we the number of blacks which are in our so- agreed to separate to Jaffna and Batticieties. That our grand object is, first caloe on the one hand, for the Tamul lanto commence the study of the native guage; and Galle and Matura on the VOL. I. other, for the Cingalese; and to give up Manaar; and that two of the brethren should go to Jaffna. The second question was, Who shall go to these several places? This being by far the most important question, we humbled ourselves before God, and prayed for resignation and divine direction: we looked at the places and languages, and the disposition and talents of each brother. We foresaw that those who learned the Tamul, could not, at any future period, change with the brethren who would have to learn the Cingalese; nor the latter with the former. We agreed to fix our stations by ballot: when brothers Lynch and Squance were chosen for Jaffna; brother Ault for Batticaloe; brother Erskine for Matura; and brother Clough for Galle. We felt truly resigned to our appointments. Not a murmuring word, nor, we believe, a thought of the kind existed. At this instant our feelings were most acute. We saw ourselves as at last separated to various and distant parts of the island: we embraced, and wept, and prayed for each other.-God has given us the spirit of love in an unusual degree. We agreed that brothers Squance and Lynch should set out on the Thursday following; and that brothers Ault and Erskine should remain at Galle till further instruction how to proceed to other places." Messrs. Lynch and Squance took an affecting farewel of their brethren, and proceeded to Columbo on their way to Jaffna. At the former place they met with a very kind reception from the Honourable and Rev. Mr. Twisleton, who invited them to his house, and to make it their abode, during their stay in the place. "About sixteen miles from Columbo," say they "we were met by two servants, and a letter from Mr. Twisleton, with the most friendly invitation to his house during our stay in the place; and we were received by himself and Mrs. T. with that politeness which is peculiar to the Europeans receiving each other in a strange land. Here we have felt ourselves unexpectedly surrounded with the friendship both of the great, and a few who are truly Christians of the primitive stamp. On Sunday we attended divine service. After which we were introduced to a Mr. Chater, a Baptist missionary, a man of a most excellent character, we believe, of a truly Christian spirit; and afterwards to a Mr. Armour, one of the excellent of the earth. Indeed, we had no thoughts of meeting with such a man in Ceylon. At present he preaches both in the Cingalese and Portuguese languages, and visits the provincial schools. We cannot express our mutual thankfulness on meeting; and we are very glad to find that he fully approves of our mode of proceeding, and thinks we have taken the most effectual method of learning the languages. On Sunday evening we had the honour of dining with his Excellency the Governor. On being introduced to him, he received us with that affability for which he is so remarkable, and assured us that he considered us an acquisition to the Colony; and expressed his sorrow at the public loss of so valuable a character as Dr. Coke. We returned him our warmest thanks for his unexpected goodness to us and our companions, and asssured him that we would ever retain a grateful sense thereof; and endeavour so act, as that his excellency, and all our kind benefactors, should not have cause to regret their friendship to us." The society have received a very interesting letter from the Mr. Armour, mentioned in the preceding account, dated Columbo, July 19th, giving a pretty circumstantial detail of his proceedings in that island for fifteen years past. It affords much valuable information both respecting himself and the general state of things in the island. The picture which it exhibits of the state of morals in that island, is miserable indeed, and sufficiently shews how much it stands in need of the labours of the Christian missionary. But we must wave particulars that we may afford room for an extract from a letter which the society have received from Mr. Lynch, dated Jaffnapatam, Sept. 9, 1814. "By our letter of last July we informed you of our arrival at Point de Galle, of our reception by the government, the proposal of his excellency, and our acceptance of it; and the different places of our appointments, and also of Mr. Squance's and my arrival at Columbo, on our way to this place. We remained with the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Twisleton fifteen days, during which time we experienced every kindness which warm friendship and benevolence could suggest. His whole heart is engaged for the religious and temporal improvement of the ignorant and miserable poor people of this country. Here we formed an acquaintance with a Mr. Armour, of whom you have some account in the above-mentioned letter; whose heart is truly engaged for the salvation of souls. He preaches with fluency and energy both in the Cingalese and the corrupt Portuguese of the country: and I have reason to believe that he is greatly stirred up to preach more ardently, and aim at the conversion of souls. We also formed an acquaintance with Mr. Chater, the Baptist missionary. At first, not knowing his character or principles, we rather declined the offer of his pulpit; but both Mr. Twisleton and Mr. Armour having given a most excellent character of him, and informed us that whatever his religious sentiments were, he never introduced Calvinism in the pulpit; and many wishing us to preach in Columbo, we preached six times in Mr. C.'s chapel; · persons, who would be gratified with its success, are not acquainted with the pecuniary burthens, which retard its progress, the following particulars are re.. spectfully stated. During the first ten years of the labours of the founder of the British System, by reason of having no established committee nor funds adequate for the building of school-rooms, training of masters, and making the requisite preparations for the diffusion of his plan, he became involved in debt, and experienced difficulties which threatened the absolute ruin of his affairs, and the entire suppression of his method of instructing. At this juncture, in 1808, he was extri persons, who at sundry times have advanced above 60001. and have also devoted much of their time and personal exertion to support so useful an establishment, without which it is probable that the world would not now have been in possession of this valuable institution. and have reason to believe that God blessed his word. Mr. and Mrs. Chater have considerably retrieved the missionary character in Columbo. Being sensible, prudent, industrious, and truly pious, they adorn the doctrine of God Our Saviour. I feel deeply interested for the character of all who profess to be Gospel missionaries. We obtained a good deal of information from Mr. Armour concerning the real state of Christio aity in Ceylon: and I must conclude, that though it is one of the most encouraging places for Gospel missionaries, yet the number of professing Christians, and their piety, have been greatly exaggerated. Most of the native Christians are Budhites in their hearts, and frequently at-cated by the prompt exertions of a few tend their idol worship, and devil dances; and the Roman Catholics are scarcely a remove in Christian knowledge or practice above them. It is to be regretted, that our European Christians, by their conduct, rather encourage, than discountenance cast. I cannot but detest a national custom which prevails, that no native, no, not even a native Christian, is allowed to sit in the company of an Englishman. It is true, some of our countrymen, who are in mind and station above the common ones, subject themselves to the censure of their imaginary superiors, by inviting a respectable native Christian to take a seat. But while we abhor the Antichristian conduct, we feel very delicate at once to break through the custom, lest we expose ourselves to censure on the one hand, and such a degree of familiarity on the other, as might cause contempt. The inhabitants of the southern part of the island are mostly worshippers of the god Budha; they deny that there is an Eternal self-existent Being, and affirm that all the gods, and the world, &c. were made by chance, and that in proportion to a virtuous life in this world, men pass into a state of annihilation, which they affirm is the highest state of happiness. In a conversation with two of their priests, we were fully convinced of this being their doctrine; and they reason with all their skill against the existence of God, or the creation of the world." By these exertions a great number of schools have been established in England, Ireland, and Scotland, and the system has been introduced into Asia, Africa, and America, by persons trained and qualified at the parent institution. less than seven years many thousand children of both sexes have been rescued from ignorance, and have been directed into the paths of virtue and piety. In At this important period the most unexpected facilities present themselves for the spread of the British System throughout Europe. The anxiety of benevolent persons on the Continent ought to be regarded as an imperious call upon the sympathy and assistance of Britons, to furnish the pre-requisites of qualified school-masters and lessons in the various European languages. It must be obvious, that so great a burthen for the public good ought not to be suffered to press on a few disinterested individuals;` and that some effectual means ought to be taken to place the funds of so important an institution on a respectable footing, and enable the committee to extend the blessing of universal education to every part of the world. Hitherto, no active steps have been taken to accomplish this desirable object, Those who advanced their property to BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL save the plan from destruction have wait SOCIETY. THE importance of the British system of Education to the best interests of mankind is so universally acknowledged, that no arguments are now requisite to recommend it to public notice. The British and Foreign School Society is established for the promotion of Schools in all parts of the world; and as it is apprehended that many benevolent ed in patience, and have laboured to promote the general good, in the fullest confidence that when the public should be convinced of the importance of the work, they would then liberally contribute to place it upon a firm fonndation. That period is now arrived. Persons in general are now convinced of the great utility of the British and Foreign School Society, and it is presumed that an appeal to their generosity will not be fruitless, when it is considered that far larger sums are easily raised for objects of inferior importance. Mr. S. Tuke,.. York. Newcastle. .Glasgow. .High Wycomb Extract of a letter from Mr. Milne to the Directors, dated Batavia, July 1st and 2nd, 1814. The sum required to relieve this society from its difficulties, and place it upon a respectable and efficient foundation, is estimated at 10,0001. and it surely would be thought an unwarrantable reflection LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. on British liberality to say that for such a purpose it would be difficult to raise such an amount. The plan now proposed is, that 100 individuals should each of them undertake to raise 1001. among their friends, to be applied to the firm establishment of the British and Foreign School Society. If this can be accomplished, the annual subscriptions of the public will be sufficient to carry on the Institution; and no impediment would remain to the most active exertions for diffusing the blessings of knowledge to the population of the whole world. The Finance Committee strongly recommend to the friends of universal education the adoption of this plan, and will be happy to receive the names of such gentlemen as may be willing to unite in this effort, It is proposed that, as the money shall be recived, it shall immediately be invested in the public funds in the names of Samuel Whitbread, M.P. John Jackson, M.P. Samuel Hoare, jun. and William Allen, as trustees; and if in the course of two years, reckoning from 'January 1, 1815, it does not, with accumulated interest, amount to the sum of 10,0001. the contributors shall receive their principal and interest, if they desire it, or it shall be applied in such way as each shall direct. CHARLES BARCLAY, M.P. ROBERT SLATE, S. W. TRACY, SAM. WHITBREAD, M.P. Finance "I AM just returned from a journey through the eastern parts of Java, through the Island of Madura. During this journey, by the good hand of God upon me, I have travelled about fourteen hundred miles over land without a hurt or fallvisited Bencallan, the seat of the Sultan of Madura, and slept a night in the palace; and also Solo, the metropolis of the So-soon-ham, or Emperor of Java, to whom I was introduced.—He reigns over more than a million of people. I have also visited all the towns and villages of any importance, where there are Chinese, from Batavia, near the west end of Java, to Sumanap, on the farther extremity of the Island of Madura; except Djoc-joocurta, the capital of the Sultan of Java, which is within about fifty miles of Solo. At all these places I have distributed Chinese New Testaments, Catechisms, Tracts, &c. to a considerable amount, and made arrangements for sending some to the Chinese at Banger-masen, Pontiano, and Sambas, on the great island of Borneo. "The Chinese are my first object, and my chief attention has been paid to them during my late tour, which lasted for six weeks. But other objects were not neglected. I baptized one hundred and fourteen children, belonging, some to English parents, but chiefly to the Dutch and their descendants; and I was commissioned to this effect by the two Dutch clergymen, who through age and infirmity, cannot remove far from the places of their residence, viz. Batavia and Samarang. This service afforded me some pleasing opportunities of stating the great doctrines of the sacred Scriptures of endeavouring to prevent the total extinction of the light of the gospel among the descendants of the once highlyfavoured Dutch-and of attempting to prevent their entire relapse into Mahometanism and Heathenism,-points to which, in my own opinion, they are fast hastening, for want of public instruction. I had also some opportunities of preaching among my own countrymen, who are equally destitute of the ordinances of religion. The Chinese of all ranks, and in every place, received my books gladly, and listened with patience to what I had to say about the true God. So that what |