the sacred volume in regions so long deprived of this inestimable treasure.

The remainder of the Report is occupied with accounts of the operations of the Bible Societies of foreign countries, derived principally from the Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society of the last year.

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF TEMPERANCE.

A society with the above title has just been formed at Boston, and includes among its numbers members from various parts of the United States. The object of the society is not so much to reform those who have already contracted habits of intemperance, as to adopt measures for guarding against danger those who are yet uncontaminated by this loathsome and fatal vice. The Secretary will make appropriate communications, by pamphlets, correspondence, and personal interviews, to ministers of the Gospel, to physicians, and other persons in stations of influence, and consult and co-operate with them for the purpose of guarding those under their influence against the evils of intemperance. He will introduce into the publications of the day, essays and addresses on the subject of intoxicating liquors; and urge teachers, and others concerned in the support of schools, to labour diligently to impress the minds of the young with the dreadful evils to which all are exposed who indulge themselves in the use of strong drink; and, in general, he will "endeavour, by all suitable means, and in reliance upon the Divine blessing, to fix the eyes of persons of both sexes, and of all ages and conditions, on the magnitude of the evil which this society aims to prevent, and on the immeasurable good which it aims to secure."

The following is part of the Address of the Executive Committee to the Christian public:

"The evils resulting from an improper use of intoxicating liquors have become so extensive and desolating as to call for the immediate, vigorous, and persevering efforts of every philanthropist, patriot, and Christian. The number of lives annually destroyed by this vice in our own country is thought to be more than ten thousand; and the number of persons who are diseased, distressed, and impoverished by it, to be more than two hundred thousand. Many of them are not only useless, but a burden and nuisance to society.

"These liquors, it is calculated, cost the inhabitants of this country annually CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 295.

more than forty millions of dollars; and the pauperism occasioned by the improper use of them (taking the commonwealth of Massachusetts as an example), costs them upwards of twelve millions; making an annual expense of more than fifty millions of dollars.

"Out of ten hundred and sixty-one cases of criminal prosecutions in the year 1820, before the Court of Sessions in the city of New York, more than eight hundred are stated to have been connected with intemperance. And so it is in all our principal cities. More than three quarters of the crimes committed in the country are probably occasioned by this hateful vice. And if we add to these the loss of time which it occasions, the loss of business, the loss of improvement, the loss of character, and the loss of happiness for time and for eternity, the evil swells to an overwhelming magnitude.

"The American Society for the Promotion of Temperance have, therefore, after deliberate and devout attention to the subject, resolved, in the strength of the Lord, and with a view to the account which they must render to him for the influence they exert in the world, to make a vigorous, united, and persevering effort to produce a change of public sentiment and practice with regard to the use of intoxicating liquors.

"The Committee are confident, that, with the Divine blessing, a system of general and powerful co-operation may be formed, and that a change may in a short time be effected, which will save an incalculable amount of property, and vast multitudes of valuable lives;-a change which will be connected with the highest prosperity of our country, and with the eternal salvation of millions of our fellow

men."

EDUCATION IN PERSIA AND
THE EAST.

An address has been circulated, for the purpose of promoting the extension of education, by means of the system of mutual instruction, in Persia and other parts of the East. Under this system a very great proportion of the population of Europe are rapidly acquiring the blessings of education. The same system prevails almost universally, and with the most happy results, from south to north on both the continents of America. Africa it has also made some progress, and in the British East-Indian possessions, especially in Bengal and Hindostan, it has been extensively adopted, and meets 3 L

In

with the most encouraging support. But little has been hitherto effected in Syria, Arabia, and Persia; and the importance of embracing any opportunities of conveying the advantages of education to those countries needs hardly be stated. The accounts of all travellers who have visited those remote kingdoms, as well as of their own natives of rank and intelligence, coincide in representing the consequences of the prevailing ignorance in the most affecting manner. There is therefore an urgent claim upon philanthropic exertion, to send into those countries persons properly qualified to introduce instruction wherever it is practicable.

A favourable opportunity has occurred for carrying this benevolent object into effect. Mr. Wolff, under the patronage of Mr. Drummond, Mr. Bayford, and other individuals, has travelled for several years in various parts of Syria, Arabia, and Persia, and has directed much attention to this subject. It is stated, that, in the various districts he has visited, he has been very successful in explaining the advantages of popular instruction to the natives with whom he has conversed, and his reception has been of the most favourable nature, particularly amongst the Christian churches, and also by many Mahomedans. Mr. Wolff states, that the strongest desire is every where expressed, in the different cities visited by him, to receive competent teachers from England. Their object is to obtain persons of sound principles, duly qualified to organize their schools on the most advantageous system, and to establish and conduct one or more schools, which may serve as models and examples to the natives. If such persons are sent out, several individuals of the highest rank and influence, in various parts of Persia, have given an assurance of their patronage and protection. Captain Taylor, the British Resident at Bussora, assisted in forming an Auxiliary Education Society at that place in 1824. It was agreed to establish, in the first instance, a school for teaching English, writing, reading, and arithmetic, supported by general contributions; extending the plan to other languages as future events may enable the Society to effect an extension. The school was to be open to children of all persuasions, and the Holy Scriptures are to be read by those children whose parents do not object to them. An appropriate address was published at Bussora on the subject.

Mr. Wolff, under date 13th of October, 1824, stated that a school was already

established, and the boys were going on well: Captain Taylor was the secretary: and the Armenian inhabitants at Bussora and Bushire had subscribed towards it. This establishment being on the confines of Arabia and Persia, it was hoped would be accompanied with happy results in extending the system.

A communication, addressed to Mr. Drummond and Mr.Bayford, by Karapeet, archbishop and primas of the convent of Omnisalvadore, and others, dated Julfa, near Ispahan, 19th February 1825, remarks: 66 During the travels of Mr. Wolff through Persia, he was so successful as to establish schools at Bussora and Bushire, where now above seventy children receive instruction in the English, Arabic, and Persian languages. We looked at this event, not only with the greatest joy and delight, but both these establishments have our most paternal and archiepiscopal approbation and sanction; and that the Lord may prosper both institutions, that the children of our nation may be educated in the fear of the Lord, shall always be our most fervent prayer. And you, gentlemen, will be so kind as to receive our warmest thanks for your philanthropic zeal, and to present them to all the members of the British and Foreign School Society.

"Permit me now to make you acquainted with our situation and history. Shah Abbas, king of Persia, brought twelve thousand families of our nation, two hundred and twenty-five years ago, as captives, from Julfa in Armenia, to Ispahan; he granted them the liberty of exercising their worship and rites of religion; and thus New Julfa was founded by Armenians. They lived in peace during his reign; New Julfa flourished, palaces were built, and the bells of twenty-four churches were heard here. But one hundred years after his death, persecution and affliction became the lot of the Armenians, so that many fled, and left their houses and goods; and at this time, New Julfa is scarcely inhabited by five hundred wretched and miserable families. Viewing the necessity of giving a religious education to our youth, in order that the church of Christ might revive with the light of knowledge again, we, as Archbishop and Primas of the Armenian nation in Persia, Bussora, and India, have called together, to-day, a committee, to consult about the proposals of the Rev. Joseph Wolff, and we take now the liberty of communicating to you the result.

"It is proposed to give, gratis, a house at Julfa to the disposal of Henry Drummond, Esq., and John Bayford, Esq., of London.

"Mr. Drummond and Mr. Bayford, and the members of the British and Foreign School Society, are requested to send an able English gentleman to Julfa, near Ispahan, with letters of introduction to the British minister of Tehran, and the King of Persia, in order to obtain firmans for protection, &c. The Catholics received formerly such firmans, and much more will the English be favoured, as it is well known that the English nation are loved, revered, and respected by the Persians."

Mr. Drummond, and Mr. Bayford, are further requested to apply to the British and Foreign School Society to furnish the gentleman who is going out with schoolbooks and school materials; and to the Bible Society, for Bibles and Testaments in English and Armenian.

The Archbishop and the Committee promise to write, not only to India, to the Armenians there, for pecuniary support, but also to contribute themselves, as far as their poverty allows. And they request Mr. Drummond and Mr. Bayford, on behalf of the establishment at Julfa, to interest the philanthropic and benevolent characters of England to assist them also.

His Royal Highness Abbas Mirza writes to Mr. Wolff, "As this benevolent undertaking is in perfect accordance with our feelings, and as the strictest intimacy now subsists between the governments of England and Persia, the proposal of Mr. Wolff has met with our cordial approbation. We have, therefore, ordered that a house should be given to him to commence the school, and have granted this letter, in order to inspire confident assurance, that, when teachers come from England, the institution shall always receive from us all due patronage, protection, and support."

The Address states, that "such being the objects of this Association, and with such favourable prospects of attaining results so important, they confidently throw themselves on the benevolence and Christian philanthropy of the British public, and upon the providence and blessing of Almighty God."

Subscriptions will be received by H. Drummond, Esq., Treasurer; or by Messrs. Hatchard and Son, Piccadilly.

GENERAL PROGRESS OF EDUCATION.

The Report of the British and Foreign School Society, read at the last anniversary, contains inany interesting facts relative to the progress of education in various parts of the world. Among other particulars, it states that in Denmark, the King, the nobles, and clergy, are favourable to the system of mutual instruction, and that nearly 1000 schools in that country have adopted it. In Sweden it is also patronized by the King, and a central school is about to be formed at Stockholm. In Russia some retardation has occurred, in consequence of the death of the Emperor Alexander and Count Romanzof. The Emperor was favourable to it, and had caused the Scripture Lessons to be prepared for the use of the schools. In the Netherlands it is adopted largely, and in the schools on this system the boys are also taught architectural drawing and vocal music. France rather retrogrades in the cause of Scripture education. There is some little doing in Paris, but almost nothing in the provinces. The political distractions of Spain have almost crushed the efforts made there; and Portugal is little better. But there are appearances of a favourable nature at Florence, and the system is generally acceptable throughout Tuscany. It is strenuously upheld at Malta by the Marquis and Marchioness of Hastings, and it derives no inconsiderable support from the Governor of the Ionian Islands. Greece, unhappily, has been the theatre of bloodshed and horror; yet there is a school established at Napoli di Romania, a central school at Argos, and another was in contemplation at Missolonghi, under the superintendance of Georgius Constantine, a young Greek educated at the British and Foreign Society's school. The island of Madagascar has greatly benefited by the system. Openings have been made in Persia, by the exertions of the Jewish missionary, the Rev. Joseph Wolff, and schools commenced at Bushire, Bassora, and also at Ispahan. Ceylon has 3000 scholars training up in this system, and it is about to be introduced into the Anglo-Chinese college at Canton. It is generally adopted in the South Sea islands and South America. In the United States and British possessions of North America, it meets with ardent supporters; and even the West Indies, it is stated, but not to what extent, have admitted its introduction, and are benefiting by its influence upon the slave population.

LONDON SOCIETY FOR THE CON

secret

VERSION OF THE JEWS. The last number of the Society's Jewish Records states, that a society has been formed among upwards of two hundred Jews resident in Constantinople, some of them persons of consequence, who are discontented with the trainmels of superstition in which they are held by their rabbins, and wish to throw them off. Mr. Leeves understands, that one of the things against which they declaim, is the Jewish regulation about food, which effectually separates them from social intercourse with any other class of men. The rabbins, it is added, have taken great alarm, and are using all their influence to reclaim these malcontents, but they still remain refractory. Mr. Leeves has not been able positively to ascertain whether the New Testament has been the source of these new opinions, (nor had he yet been able to learn fully their nature), but the rabbins suspect that it is, and have issued in consequence new orders, and used new efforts, to prevent the circulation and perusal of the New Testament. Fiftytwo copies of the Hebrew Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments bound together, had been very lately sold at the Bible Society's magazine. The chief rabbin sent a person to demand of a merchant, who had purchased a copy, that he should deliver it up to be burnt, but the merchant refused. The great fear, Mr. Leeves mentions, is, lest the persons who adopt these new opinions, should be tempted, from secular motives to take refuge in Mahomedanism.

MERCHANT-SEAMEN'S BIBLE
SOCIETY.

As the best recommendation of this highly useful society, we copy from the last Report a few extracts from the communications of the Society's agents. We lament to find that the funds of the institution still languish; a circumstance the more to be regretted, when we consider the great importance of the society's labours.

"1. When I made known my errand to one of the owners, he said to another gentleman, his partner, 'I think we ought to have a few Bibles for the ship; it appears to me that nothing can be more necessary. To which he replied in the affirmative, and requested to be supplied with two dozen Bibles and Testaments, for which they paid me the full price.

"2. Pass the word there fore and aft,' cried the captain aloud; let all know that the Bible-boat is alongside; and should any want Bibles who are without money, I will pay for them myself.' One of the men readily embraced the offer. Now, captain,' said a passenger, let us have a good Bible for the cabin, it will do us no harm during the voyage.' With this request he most readily complied, and paid me for two Bibles.

"3. 1 am delighted," said the captain, in seeing sailors now-a-days reading their Bibles, especially on Sundays, instead of spending their time as they used to do. Many sailors are the better for reading their Bibles; some are quite altered.' An excellent crew. Sold three Bibles.

"4. God forbid that I should go to sea without a Bible,' answered one of the crew, who was asked whether he had one. 'What is man without a Bible? What is a ship without a compass? And what would England have been without the Bible?" Sold three Bibles to the crew.

"5. The second mate said, I have been taught how to value the Bible; it has done me good. I feel the want of Christian society. I was happy in my last ship; each man there possessed a Bible, and all were under its influence. I never was so happy before, or since; and I fear I shall never get into such a vessel again, where the Bible was, as it ought to be, revered by all.'

"6. An excellent crew. Sold three Bibles. One of the purchasers said, ‹ How glad I am to fall in with you! It is true, we sailors are thoughtless fellows in general, but we cannot help thinking sometimes. When we are at sea, we have plenty of opportunities to reflect and read our Bibles. I am now glad to get one; and I shall, if life is spared, consider it well this voyage.'

"7. The captain ordered all his men aft, with the view of learning who had a Bible, and who had not; telling the crew, that he would let them have money to pay for any books they might want. I sold six Bibles; and the captain informed me that his former crew had derived considerable benefit from the religious instruction which they had received.

"8. The captain said, "I would not change my crew for any other whatever : they are steady, read their Bibles, and give part of their pay to their aged relatives. Sailors in my opinion are much reformed.

MISSION TO THE MACKINAW
INDIANS.

We have in former numbers given a general view of the various Christian Missions from different nations and societies, among the North American Indians; and in the present have extracted a few details respecting one of these missions, the Osage. The following is a brief account of one of still more recent establishment, by the United States Mission aries, among the Mackinaw Indians.

"The intelligence from this station is far more encouraging than that from any other under the care of the board. Mackinaw is in the heart of the Indian country, and is a great place of resort for surrounding tribes. It is under the protection of the United States, and parents belonging to hostile tribes will, on that account, send them to a school established there, when they would not send them to any other place. The children of opposing parents will thus grow up together in friendship and love, and the future harmony of their tribes will doubtless be greatly promoted by this circumstance. In some instances, children have been sent from a distance of 1000 miles to this school; and such has been the pressure for admittance, that a considerable number have been rejected for want of room."

Amidst many difficulties, the missionaries had succeeded in erecting at this station substantial but plain buildings sufficiently spacious to accommodate 100 boarders, including the members of the family. The school soon after contained 115 pupils, 60 of whom were boarders, making, with the family, 80 souls. The children are of all ages, from 4 to 15, but principally under 11; they are partly Indians and half-breeds, and partly Whites. Pay is received from the Whites, and they thus contribute to the support of the establishment. The girls and boys are in distinct apartments, and in both schools there is seen a great desire for improve

here; most of these dear children were.. then ignorant of the Bible: many of them could not speak a word of English. Now, some of them read intelligibly in the Testament and English Reader. Some have committed to memory the whole book of Matthew; others, different portions of Scripture, the historical part of Emerson's Catechism, and other Biblical Questions. Is not this enough to stop the mouths of gainsayers, who assert that Indians cannot learn?

"The girls are still under my care, when out of school. They are learning to knit and sew, and to do various kinds of labour about the house. Twelve of them take their turn in the kitchen and laundry, a week alternately. They are from four to sixteen years of age; the four eldest are quite interested on religious subjects. These children are also fond of work, which will scarcely be believed by many people. The present number in our family is just one hundred: so that you may judge that we have our hands, heads, and hearts full."

CHOCTAW ACADEMY.

The American Baptists have established a missionary station for the religious instruction of the Choctaw youths, sent by the chiefs of that nation to be educated in Scott county, Kentucky. The Rev. Thomas Henderson is appointed missionary and teacher, and has already twentyone Indian boys under his care. The expenses of this establishment are principally defrayed by the Indians themselves. In a treaty made by that nation with the United States, it was provided, that, in consideration of lands ceded by them, a certain annual amount should be appropriated by the United States for twenty years, to be applied to the education of their youth. The Indians have selected this number, and sent them to Kentucky, for the purpose of receiving a better education than they could be expected to receive in their own nation, and to habituate them to the manners and customs of civilized society; and have expressed their wish to the Government that this annual appropriation shall be applied to the expense of their maintenance and instruction. The number will probably be increased to about forty.

The course of instruction is to be, the English language grammatically — writing -arithmetic-surveying-geography--bistory-natural philosophy-vocal musicand the principles of the Christian religion.