ure that the affinity which Calvinism Mr. Krefting, who has been congratu lated by the missionaries. Two new missionaries have arrived in Bengal which makes the number, now there, ten. One who was on probation in England, has declined; two other probationers have been received. A new place of worship is erecting, partly, we suppose, for the use of the missionaries at Calcutta. The missionhouse has been much enlarged by the purchase of some adjoining premises. in many of its parts bears to Paganism, may not facilitate the conversion of Hindoos and other Heathens. The Roman Catholics have always proved more successful in their missions to the Heathens than Protestants, owing to the circumstance of their barbarous doc.' trines, and gross ceremonies, befitting the degraded minds of their auditors. The accounts which the Baptist Missionaries transmit home, from time to time, familiarize throughout a wide An interesting account is given of a circle, Indian manners, customs, my missionary journey, undertaken by two thology and history to British minds, of the missionaries, in company with and thus connect the colony more closely two of the native brethren, to Dbacca, a with the parent state. If their design large city, two or three hundred miles should fail, they will have had the merit N. E. of Serampore. On their way, of having laid a mass of information the people of one place desired to know concerning Hindostan before the public," what difference there was between and of having made the study of the character and religion of the Hindoos popular. The labours of the Asiatic Society interest only the learned. In our first Volume, p. 493, 494, we gave an abstract of the 15th number of the "Periodical accounts relative to the Mission." We refer our readers to it for the sake of entering more fully into the epitome with which we now present them of the 16th number. The head quarters of the Mission is at" Serampore, a Danish settlement, a little above Calcutta, on the river Hoogly." Here the Missionaries have always received the encouragement from a foreign people, which they were denied by their own countrymen. Colonel Bio, the Governor, who was very obliging to them, died May 18, 1805,aged seventyfive. One of them, noting his death in his Journal, remarks that " a ray of hope beamed forth at the last hour. His relations" he adds, "say that they heard him almost the whole night preceding his decease, praying most fervently to his Saviour. As a governor he was a worthy character. His mind had been cultivated by a liberal education, and his sentiments were noble and enlarged. He revered a good man, and despised modern infidelity." He was buried by Mr. Carey, who preached his funeral sermon. "All the poor natives lamented his death, exclaiming, Never shall we see another such a master.' He is succeeded in the government by Creechno (their God) and Christ; The missionaries pursue their studies with ardour; some of them are labouring hard at the Chinese language. "A young Armenian, Mr. J. Lessor, born at Macao, and educated under native Chinese masters, is instructing them. He has been employed by a gentlema the articles drawn up by the mission. aries offer no violence to common sense.' in Calcutta, to translate the scriptures them! At the same time, it is but jus from the Armenian bible into Chinese, tice to say, that, with a few exceptions, and has made considerable progress." Mr. Marshman informs one of his correspondents, that he has committed to memory 400 Chinese sentences, and finds the language perfectly attainable. This gentleman has also drawn up a memorial on the practicability and propriety of translating and printing the scriptures, particularly the New Testament, into all the languages of India, and distributing them among the na tives. It is calculated, that for the sum of 5000l, two thousand copies in cach language may be printed, bound, and circulated. The brethren have agreed to add all the Hindoo and Mussulman shasters to the mission library; also to have a lecture in the family, once a fortnight, on the languages and religions of the East. Within a year and a quarter, forty-two persons, chiefly natives, have made a profession of the christian faith by baptism. The church at Serampore now consists of eighty-two members. A church, consisting of eight members, has been also constituted at Dinagepore, under the pastoral care of Mr. Fernandez, whose history is singular He was born in the island of Macao, on the east of China, of Portuguese or Italian extraction, and was educated for a Roman Catholic priest. His own good sense, however, made him, without any other help, a protestant. Two or three more churches are soon to be organized. In planting separate churches, native pastors are always to be appointed, and native deacons, that the missionaries may preserve their original character. Several of the native converts, as might have been expected, have relapsed into vice, if not idolatry. In these "accounts" we are sorry to find nothing scarcely of Mr. Carey's. It cannot be supposed that his professorship in the college prevents his correspondence with his friends in England; and if the editors of this work have letters or journals of his, and refuse from any cause to publish them, they are surely chargeable with ill-policy. May we hazard the suspicion that Carey's Communications being more sober, or rather less enthusiastic than those of others, are on that account postponed to Some of the earlier misionaries had the good fortune to go out in a ship belonging to a religious American captain, Wilkes, who has ever since befriended the mission. Having lately received a thousand guineas from the society to remit to India, he excited his countrymen to add something to it, and accordingly the religious public of the United States raised the large sum of 13151. 58. The finances of the society are in a flourishing state. The subscriptions in 1806 were, for the general purposes of the mission, 24291. 3s. 8d. and for the translation of the Scriptures, (inclusive of the American contributions) 15731 14s. 9d. The balance now in hand is 16231. Is. 9d. The design of giving the Scriptures to the natives of India, in their several languages, is so excellent, that we think it ought to be encouraged by all classes of Christians. And as a separate fund is raised by the society for this purpose, Christians of any denomination may contribute to this great work without being considered as supporters of the creed of Calvin. We should rejoice to see Unitarians throwing in their mite towards the important object, and thus proving that, provided the gospel be published, they rejoice with Christian sincerity, regardless of what are the peculiarities of the denomination which has set the scheme on foot. We consider Unitarianism as Christianity, and we believe that Christianity will in the end universally prevail: we ought therefore to regard the missionaries in India as pioneers, who are opening the way for future teachers, who will "proclaim the truth as it is in Jesus." CHRISTIANS IN JAMAICA.— The Christian slave-bolders in Jamaica, are equally zealous as our prelates at home, in maintaining good order and regular spiritual government. They have stepped forward at various times for the support of the church as by Law Established, and in their wisdom have lately passed a law for stopping the progress of schism among the slaves, by which, these unhappy creatures will be deprived in a great measure of the only consolations, the consolations of religion, common gaol for t urls, or leas which European avarice and tyranny to a free negro, a fire of 100l. antim had left them. The law is denominated prisonment in the workhouse for thr: "An ordinance for preventing the Pro- months, or both; to a slave, imprisonfanation of religious rites and false wor- ment and hard labour in the workhou-e shipping of God, under the pretence of for six months, or whipping, or bath, preaching and teaching by illiterate, as shall be in those cases respectively adignorant and ill disposed persons, and judged. The same penaltics to persons of the mischiefs consequent thereon permitting nero worship in their houses, Pious legislators! worthy for your godly yards, or any places belonging to them. zeal, of the character of prophets! who And it is further ordained, that no percould expect or desire that you and your sons who are licensed and qualified shall negroes should have any thing, even "use public worship, ● irlier than the Lour religion in common! let them hold truth, of six in the morning, or later than sun reť and truth becomes odious; let them in the evening," under the same penalties possess virtue, and virtue is profaned! as the white man lay under, in the former Their worship must indeed be fal e, if instance. your's be true; for they assuredly will not worship the God of "traders in the persons of men." They worship a Being who takes pity on the poor and needy, a Being to whom vengeance belongeth; of such a being, it is politic in tyrants great and small, to prohibit the mention and the thought, within their dominions, and let them sleep on and take their rest, till they and their injured vassals shall meet together at his tribunal. The law in question prohibits persons, not duly authorized, from carrying on worship among the negroes, under the following penalties; to a white man a fine of 1ool. or imprisoned in the This glorious statute was passed in common council, in Jamaica, June 15, 1807, about the time that “No opry' was resounding in all the streets of London. The Jamaicans a e consistent. A half-way negative persecution is ridiculous. Mr. Pereal, may take a ueful lesson from the save torturers, fore he again attempts to tir up bigotry and ill blood. C The effect of the law, has been the suppression of all public worship among the negroes of the baptist persuasion, and the restriction of among the methodists; though these latter are sill permitted to meet in a licensed chapel. NEW PUBLICATIONS. The General Union of Believers at the coming of Christ: a Sermon preached at Hackney, Aug 23, 1807. on the Death of the Rev. Daniel Fisher, D. D. By S. Palmer, 8vo. Is. A Body of Theology, principally practical; in a Series of Lectures. By R. Fellowes, M. A. 2. vols. 8vo. 18s. A Manual of Piety, adapted to the wants and calculated for the Improvement of all Sects of Christians. Extracted from the Holy Living and Dying of Jere. Taylor; with a Life of the Author, &c. By R. Fellowes, A. M. 75. Hebrew Elements, or a Practical Introduction to the reading of the Hebrew Scriptures, 8vo. 5s. Reflections on the Sinfulness of Cru clty to Animals, on some of the most prevalent examples of it, and on some of the most powerful motives by whi h it is encouraged: in a Sermon, preached at All Saints Church, Southampton, on Sunday, Aug. 16, 1807. By Richard Mant, M. A. 8vo Is. Sketches of Human Manners, delineated in Stories, intended to illustrave the Charters, Religion and singular Customs of the Inhabitants of different parts of the World. By Priscilla Wakefield, 2s. 6d. Half-beurd. Sermons, by Samuel Charters. D. D. Minister of Wilton, North Britain, 810. 78. Sermons on Practical Subjects. By D. Gilson, M. A. hate Curate of St. Saviour's, Southwark, &c 8vo. 8s. A New Theological Dictionary, intended to exhibit a clear and satisfactory View of every Religious Term and Denomination, with Portraits and Pians, 8vo. 13s. Catholic Principles of Allegiance. Illustrated by the Rev. T. Gillow, 2s. 6d. A Brief Statement of the Grievances the Catholics in these Realms still labour under. By a Catholic Gentleman, IS. The Camelior; or, the Cobbett of 1802, contrasted with the Cobbett of 1807. Being an Extract from the Edinburgh Review, No. 20, printed uniform to bind with Cobbett's Register, and published by some private gentlemen, "Tow Vice its own likeness." Is. The Briton's Friend; or Moral and Economical Register, particular addressed to the middle and lower ranks of Society Published every Saturday, 3d. Cursory Remarks on some Parts of a Work, entitled "Studies of Nature," onginally written by M De St. Pierre, and translated into English by Dr. Hunter. by W. Cole. 8vo. 25. A Collection of Hymns, for those who flow the faith and practice of the pri mitive Christians. By Robert Little. 1s. 6d. The Way to Heaven Delineated; or a Discourse upon the plan of Salvation. By Samuel Moore, 2s. Help for the true Disciples of Immanuel: Being an answer to a Book published by Andrew Fuller, on the Duty of Sinners to believe in Christ; which book is by him miscalled, The Gospel worthy of all Acceptation. Part I. By John Stevens. A Sermon, preached at the Second General Visitation of the Bishop of Rochester, holden at Tunbridge, July 10, 1807. By the Rev. P. Mouthpenny. IS. The Testimony of the Spirit of God in the Faithful, a Sermon; preached July 1, 2, 3, 1807. By R. Onslow, D D. IS. The Case of the Widow considered, and the Consolations applicable to it; & Sermon by W. Palmer, B. A. 8vo. Is. Observations on the Prophet Jonah. By a Farmer, 12mo. Is. Original Poems, Sacred and Miscel laneous. By Sarah Medley, 78. CORRESPONDENCE. We are again under the necessity of postponing the insertion of our Review of Bocks. On the improved plan which we mean to adopt in the commencement of another volume, we shall not, it is hoped, be so frequently obliged to disappoint our correspondents and readers.. A great variety of communications has been received this month, to all of which due attention will be paid. It is with reluctance we decline inserting the very sensible remarks of Quondam Eborarencis; but we consider that the subject to which they relate has been already sufficiently discussed, and that to press it father on our readers would be impru dent. QE.'s paper sha 1 be left for him at the Printer's. Examination of the Clergyman's Remarks upon Stone's J. M.'s Defence of his Sermon," shail appear in the two remaining numbers of the present volume. We insert, beneath, Mr. Marten's remarks upon Mr. Bennett's sermon. Impartiality requires his of us, but we shall enter into no controversy upon the subject. Upon a careful examination, we see notning obj.ctionable in the Remarks of our Reviever; and he, pro ably, will not think it necessary to come forward to vindiate the ordinary pliraseology of the D. from the charge of indecency. INDECENCY OF MR. BENNETT'S SERMON, To the Editor of the Monthly Repository. SIR, As a General Baptist, and a friend to free inquiry, I am unwilling that either myself or my brethren should be misrepresented. You noticed, in your Review of last month, Mr. Bennett's sermon preached before the General Baptist Assembly. I heard that sermon, and have perused it since its publication. Mr. B. has asserted in his prefatory letter, that most of his auditors gave him a patient hearing, but I believe that in this he is very incorrect. Mr. B. also observes that he could not see that any one should be alarmed at the idea of Joseph's being the father of Jesus. I believe there was no great degree of alarm excited by that idea, for several who disapproved of the performance were of Mr. B.'s opinion; and that you, Sir, are under the same misconception, is clear from your observations in the Review, where you say " But we are unwilling to believe that the heads and representatives of the General Baptists, a sect which has always led the way in free inquiry, should have been less ready than an assembly of the clergy to permit one of their members to state frankly and defend temperately his conscientions belief." I believe I speak the sentiment of a large majority of the Assembly, when I say, that it was not the liberty of inquiry exhibited in the discussion, that gave such general dissatisfaction, but that such a subject should have been chosen for such an occasion; for while I am ready to admit fully the utility of free discussion in matters of religion, yet it ought to be recollected that the brethren were not assembled at that time to settle points of speculative and controversial theology. And to do the Assembly justice, it should be understood, that Mr. B's sermon was delivered to a congregation composed perhaps nearly of an equal number of males and females. That care which man ever discovers to preserve from annoyance the delicate feelings of the other sex, constitutes one of the highest features of civilized society, nor is there any principle in the Christian religion that autho rises its votaries to intrench on so invaluable a rule of precaution, and thus violate the universally prescribed privileges of female modesty and reserve. That Mr. B. displayed considerable ability I am ready to admit, but I appeal to any one whether a subject, the discussion of which leads to the repetition of the following expressions thirty or forty times in the space of half an hour, was not improperly chosen for a female auditory, (viz.) "The fruit of thy body"-" The fruit of his loins"-" Kings shall come out of thy loins"-"Seed of David according to the flesh"-"The rod that came forth out of the stem of Jesse"-" The branch that grew out of his roots"-" Jacob begat Joseph"-" The husband of the mother must be the father of the son"-" Joseph's commerce with Mary"-" His descent is traced through the body of Joseph"-" An unmarried woman should not conceive a son"-" An eye witness to the miraculous conception"-" The connexion between the Holy Ghost and the mother of Jesus," &c &c. I say, I appeal to the good sense of any person, whether the discussion of such a subject was not highly indecorous and improper. But, Mr. Editor, that I may not intrude too much on the patience of your readers, I shall merely add, that my personal knowledge of Mr. B. both as a man and minister, forbids the imputation of unfavourable motives to his conduct; but it sometimes happens that the zeal of good men leads them into imprudence. I have taken up the pen merely to exculpate the General Baptist Assembly from the odium so improperly cast upon them. That its members may not mistake each other's views, and that the well-intended effort of every individual may be marked with prudence and decorum, is the sincere wish of, Sir, Barstong, near Dover, Yours, B. MARTEN Oct. 4, 1809. |