prisoners of war on board the transports at Valletta, were also furnished with Bibles and Testaments, previously to their return. These Testaments were eagerly and gratefully received; and, from the report of the English Surgeon in charge of these men, it appears, that they were perused with great avidity, and the most gratifying effect. FRANCE. The Committee have endeavoured to promote the circulation of the holy Scriptures in that country, by a donation of L.500 to the Consistories in Paris, for French Stereotype Testaments for the use of Protestants; and have alse subscribed L.250 to a stereotype edition of Maitre de Sacy's version of the New Testament for the use of the Catholics in France*. TURKEY. The Committee having received information of a Turkish translation of the whole Bible in manuscript, which had been deposited for a century and a half in the archives of the University of Leyden, have bappily obtained possession of it, through the kindness of Mr. Professor Kemper. It is now consigned to the care of Baron Von Diez, Counsellor of Legation to his Prussian Majesty, and formerly Ambassador at Constantinople, for the purpose of being printed at Berlin. This venerable nobleman, who, with the knowledge and talents requisite for the task, unites a cordial zeal for the propagation of Divine truth, has undertaken to superintend the printing of this valuable manuscript. He has pronounced the translation accurate, and the style most excellent. The Official Declaration from the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Greek Church, in favour of the accuracy of the Modern Greek Testament, printed by this Society, and authorizing the free sale and perusal of it, has already appeared in our pages. (To be continued.) Both these editions have been prepared under the care and superintendance of Mr. Leg. On Tuesday, August 29th, a Meeting was held in Thistle Street Chapel, Edinburgh, for the purpose of adopting some plan to aid more effectively the Glasgow Theological Academy; when the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. Resolved, 1st, That a Society be now formed, to be called THE EDINBURGH SOCIETY, for aiding the Funds of the Glasgow Theological Academy. 2d, That the Society be composed of all persons friendly to the said Academy, and who shall contribute by their Subscriptions to its support. 3d, That to accomplish the object of this Society, endeavours shall be used to obtain annual Subscriptions of 10s. 6d. and upwards; (donations to any amount will be thankfully received)-and to afford all classes of persons an opportunity of contributing, that Collectors shall be appointed to receive the Subscriptions of such as may find it more convenient to pay a small sum monthly or quarterly which sums the Collector shall pay into the hands of the Treasurer at quarterly meetings to be held for that purpose. 4th, That the business of the Sòciety shall be conducted by a Committee of twelve of the Subscribers, together with a President, Treasurer, and Secretary or Secretaries, who shall be members of Committee er officio. That these Office-bearers shall be chosen annually, and that six of the Committee shall retire annually, and six others be chosen to fill their places. 5th, That the Committee shall meet quarterly upon the of to receive the money from the Collectors, and attend to any other business connected with the Society, that may then come before them-and that a General Meeting of the Society be held annually upon the when the Treasurer shall lay before the Society, a state of his accounts for the year preceding. The times for the annual and quarterly meetings will be after wards determined. 6th, That the following Gentle men be appointed Office-bearers for ing the means of instruction, is now the first year, viz. Committee. Mess. Aikman, A. Christie, A. Black, G. Landale, Finlay, Mr. G. Payne, Mess. J. Ritchie, President. Treasurer. Mr. G. Yule, Secretaries. R. Kinniburgh, J. Glover, increased to 92, exclusive of 7 or 8 who are gone to Huaheine and Raiatea. Of Pomare we have but little favourable to say; we fear that he has been, and that he will be, a snare D. Chalmers, to our people. D. Skae, W. Burns, The school has increased to upwards of two hundred, the greatest J. Gray, junr. number of whom make a pleasing progress in spelling, reading, and writing in sand. The call for books is great, and we fear it will be a good while before we have any thing printed and sent to us. We want paper very much, and slates and pencils for the use of our people. W. Swan, FOREIGN. LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Extract of a letter from the Missionaries dated Eimeo, Sept. 17, 1814. Honoured Fathers and Brethren, We shall now give a few particulars relative to the Mission since the date of our last. In that we mentioned the voyage of brethren Nott and Hayward to the Society Islands. After an absenceofabout two months, they have returned unto us, brother Nott having preached to most of the inhabitants of three islands, viz. Huaheine, Raiatea, and Tahaa.The people heard with attention, and, contrary to former practice among the islanders, assembled to bear of their own accord. Here, at Eimeo, our congregation has increased greatly. Upaparu, mentioned in our last, together with his brother Vaiturai, both chiefs of Taheite, have come over with a number of their men, on purpose to seek instruction. The King also, after an absence of two years from us, has lately come over with a number of people, most of whom profess to be worshippers of the true God; most of these attend our meetings regularly, and our place of worship, which was lately enlarged, is again too small to contain the people. The number of those who have had their names written as the professed worshippers of Jehovah, who have openly renounced heathenism, anti expressed their desire of attend The translation of Luke's Gospel is now finished, but it will take some time to revise, correct, and prepare a copy for the press. We now send a copy of our Taheitian Catechism; to be printed in N. S. Wales, if it can be done there, otherwise it must be sent to England. The Catechism has been revised and enlarged; the doctrine of the Sacraments being added to it. We greatly wish we had a printing-press, and a person that knows how to use it; it would be of a great use to the Mission, as the desire of learning to read is now general among the people.* The Raiatean chiefs who had come up, a good while ago, to Pomare's assistance, have lately (most of them) re turned to their own country; but previous to theif departure from hence they made frequent and earnest applications to the brethren, for some of us to go down and teach them and their people. There are also at Taheite a great number of people who are desirous of instruction, but we are insufficient; our circumstances will not admit of our se parating, as we have a vessel in hand, the building of which has been a heavy burden upon us; and though much remains still unfinished; and the work is now pretty forward, yet beside, within the past twelve months, most of us have experienced much * The Missionaries who are preparing to go to Eimeo will take out a press, and one of them has learned the art of printing. illness, so that we were frequently disabled, and could not attend our different avocations; we hope, therefore, that the Directors will take the state of this Mission, into serious consideration. We certainly want assistance at the present time, but probably before any relief can be afforded us, the necessity will be far greater; it is not unlikely that some of us will soon be removed, either to some place for the restoration of health, or else to the grave. Some of our people are very sensible of this, and feel much concerned about it. Just at the present time most of us are in tolerably good health, but with several of us it is very precarious. Brother Henry has had an addition lately to his family, Mrs Henry being brought to bed of a daughter. We are in want of many things, but fear to be burdensome to the Society. Our medicines are almost all expended, and we are in great need of some which we cannot procure but from England. We shall also be glad of such articles as broad prints, good oval looking-glasses, good razors, broad axes, shoemaker's knives, a few files of sorts, box locks, and a small quantity of fish books. 1 And as we have but a short time to write, we shall now conclude, praying the Lord Jehovah to own and bless the means made use of, both by you and ourselves; so that they may be conducive to his glory and the good of our fellow sinners. And so we remain, honoured Fathers and Brethren. Yours in the bonds of the Gospel, Brother WILSON absent. P. S.-Brother Tessier, who arrived here in June 1813, having had a free passage from the colony Medicines have been forwarded long in Mr Shelley's vessel, has lately made himself useful by copying books for the use of the school, and also by teaching the lower classes. The Rev. Mr. Marsden received the above intelligence while on board the Active, in which he was about to sail for New Zealand, in order to establish a Mission 'there. We copy part of his letter to Mr. Hardcastle. On board the Active, Sydney Cove, Nov. 22, 1814. Dear Sir-I embarked on board the Active three days ago, with an intention of sailing to New Zealand, for the express purpose of establishing a mission in that island, and have been waiting ever since for a fair wind. This morning a vessel appeared in sight. I went on board with the pilot, who was waiting to take our vessel out; she proved to be the Campbell, Macquarie, from Eimeo, with letters for me from the Missionaries; those which are di rected for England I have ordered to be forwarded immediately, as a ship will sail in a few days. I have received the most pleasing information from Eimeo. The Lord is doing great things for them, and by them Christianity gains ground fast among the natives. Much has been done, and much will be done. The Catechisms I shall order to be printed previous to my sailing this day. I have 400 copies now ready to send of the History of our Lord's Life. The History of the Old Testament has been some time in the printer's hands, and will soon be completed. What books they may want, from time to time, I can get printed here. Their vessel is now almost completed, and Providence has sent them a man who can command her for them. When they get this vessel ready, they can visit all the islands at pleasure, and extend their operations far and wide. I shall be ready to assist them as far as my pecuniary means will admit; but the Society, I trust, will also lend their aid to this work. I most cordially congratulate the Society on the success of the mis-, sion to these islands, and may the Lord prosper all the attempts of the Society for the conversion of the heathen! By a private letter from one of the Missionaries to his friend, we learn some further particulars. "We have now (says he) large congregations twice every Lord's Day, and on Wednesday evenings, to hear the word, when the praises of God are sung by a goodly number of native voices. They have also prayer meetings among themselves, and not unfrequently we hear the voice of prayer from the bushes. "The following circumstance was related to us by a native: "In the district of Papeari there was a woman who, a few weeks since, was in labour, and for many hours there was no prospect of her delivery. In consequence of this a priest was sent for, to intercede with their god on her behalf. He continued his prayers for a long time, but to no avail, and all hope of her delivery was given up. "At this juncture, a native man, a worshipper of the true God, kneeled down by her side, and prayed to him in her behalf; when, to the surprise of all present, while he was so engaged, the woman was safely delivered. The people were so struck by this event, that they went immediately to the Morai, which they completely demolished, broke down the altars, brought forth their gods, and burnt them in the fire as false." We relate this merely as a fact, reported to the Missionaries by a native, and without laying any stress upon it, or accounting it a miracle. Such a coincidence, however, of circumstances, may have a favourable effect on the minds of the natives, and induce them to listen to the gospel as the word of God, and not of men. men are now under a course of religious instruction, viz. Henry Oboo kiah and William Tenooe. The former has made considerable progress in geography, arithmetic, and English grammar. He is now engaged in the study of Hebrew, and has translated several chapters into the language of Owhyhee. His tutor says, "Henry is bent upon going back to his countrymen with the glad tidings of salvation. This seems to be his great object." We shall probably give our readers a full account of these young men in our next number. T We are happy to learn, that Mess. Evans, Barker, Williams, and Hamilton, with their wives, arrived the 22d of May, after a voyage of safely at the Cape of Good Hope on about two months. Mr. Thom, and others of the Mis sionary Brethren, have been preparing to forward them to Latakkoo, the place of their destination. Mr. Marquard, from the Netherland Society, and his wife, lately sailed from London for the Cape, to strengthen one of the South African Missions. AFRICA. Extracts from the Journal of the Mis sionaries at Bethelsdorp, for the Year 1814. THE Missionaries, mentioning the death of Amatje Durson, say, We never knew such a degree of enmity against the gospel as was discovered by this woman before her conversion, and have seldom seen a change so remarkable, and a life so exemplary. She was scarcely ever known to doubt of her interest in Christ, and had a constant enjoyment of his love. She had been very ill, but much desired to live, till Mr Messer, one of the Missionaries, returned from a long journey, when she said, Now the Lord has granted my request, and I believe he will soon call me home, and the sooner the better. Only one thing keeps me back-that is my children. O, if Christ would convert them, how would I thank him: but he has told me I must commit that to him. I have prayed for them day and night, and shewn them the way of salvation. Now I must leave them to him who is able and willing to save them. After exerting herself much in visiting several houses, she had a sudden attack in the night, and departed to be with Christ, whom she loved much. In the beginning of October last, a great awakening took place at Bethelsdorp. Eight adults were baptised. All the people were much affected before and during the service; after which all the fields were covered with praying people. I must say, I never beheld such a scene in my life. Wherever I cast my eyes, I beheld tears flowing down their black cheeks. My maid servant and Jan Etatzoe were two of the new converts. They may be called examples to the young people: Their former companions wept bitterly at the baptizing place. I spoke to several of them, exhorting them to follow their companions, which they promised to do. There is much reason to believe that a good work of grace begun in the hearts of some of them, and of many others. The Missionaries mention various meetings in which the poor people could not suppress their feelings, but cried out aloud, and some fell down on the ground almost lifeless. One evening a man, who had been a notorious drunkard, cried out aloud, my good people, do not live as I have done! O wretched man that I am, Lord have mercy upon me, a dinner! At one time they had 13 together, under strong impressions, four of whom had been in the knitting-school of Mrs. Smith, when children, and who received their first impressions under her pious admonitions. At an afternoon meeting, Brother Pretorius addressed the people on the readiness with which Jesus Christ would accept a Bushman (the most despised of all the African tribes, and considered little better than beasts,) as well as any other. Think, said he, what we were, and what we now are, since God has sent his servants to shew as the way of sal vation. Have not I, a Bushman, found grace? Was not I taken from the muzzle of the gun, and inade an heir of eternal life? Was it ever known that a Hottentot had a waggon? No. Now I have a waggon, and 20 oxen. We knew not God, much less his Son. We never enquired after him, but He sought us, and made us his children (and then he wept);-yes, out of the holes of the mountains. There are many who do not like to be called Bushmen-I am not ashamed to say that I am one. God has had mercy upon me, and why should he not have mercy upon you? What are Bushmen but dogs for the Caffres, hoors, and Oorlam Hottentots! Take an example from what Jesus hath done for me, and why should he not help you? arise, and go to him (and here he wept again)-I wish I had this day an opportunity of telling all the Caftres, Hottentots, and Bushmen, what God has done for me, a Bushman. This man was overheard telling some people that he could not say much for himself, for that formerly he was ashamed to be thought to pray: that for some years, whether walking, riding, or standing, he was praying: that his little boy, of about seven years of age, was with him, and hearing him mutter something, would say, Is father counting his money? But on his way through Africa with Mr. Campbell, he felt his heart grieved that he had so deceived his child, and prayed that his life might be spared to tell him the truth. Immediately, therefore, on his return to Bethelsdorp, he inform ed the boy, with great concern, that he had formerly deceived him, and that he was praying when he heard him muttering. The boy has attended the experience meetings ever since, and the other day said he was persuaded there was free grace for him as well as for another, and that he longed to be united to Christ. Oct. 26. Children came to me, complaining of their sins, and also many adults, who were much concerned about their souls. All that day I had hardly time to eat bread, for |