there seemed to be no cause to apprehend an interruption of the mission. On the contrary, its concernss wore a brightening aspect. The viceroy had given unequivocal evidences of his disposition not to interfere, and had defeated the efforts of some of the native priests to injure Moung Shwa-gnong, the most prominent of the converts. Moung Ing was baptised on the 4th of March, and there had occurred several gratifying instances of inquiry. Every friend to this mission may adopt the language of Mr. Judson himself: "Why art thou ever cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, the God of Burmans, as well as David's God; for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance, revealed in the salvation of thousands of these immortal souls."

The following are further accounts from Mr. Judson.

Extract of Letters from Rer. A. Judson to Rev. G. H. Hough, now at Serampore. "REV. AND DEAR SIR,

"A serious attempt has been made to destroy Moung Shwa-gnong, the most distinguished of the disciples. All the priests and officers of his village were engaged in it. But Mya-day-men utterly repelled the very first accusation, and thus dispelled the fears of the disciples, and gave good assurance that toleration will be allowed during his administration, but how long this will continue, no one can divine."

"If the war is prosecuted, the state of things will become intolerable. But notwithstanding all these evils, we had the most pleasant assembly yesterday at wor ship, that I can recollect: ten disciples, five hopeful inquirers, (respectable people,) and others to the amount of about twenty-five adults in all, exhibited a spectacle which would have seemed two years ago, a perfect miracle."

"I do hope that the way will finally be opened for you to return to Rangoon. It will be impossible for me to send any thing to print, by this conveyance. Till within a few days, I have not been able to procure a teacher of any kind. I have now engaged Moung Shwa-gnong to assist in revising Acts; but he is so particular and thorough, that we get on very slowly-not more than ten verses a day, though he is with me from 9, A. M. till sunset. When it is done, however, it will be sterling."

On the 20th March, 1821, Brother J. writes-" I am just recovering from the cholera morbus, and can write a short letter only, and to no other one but yourself."

The last letter (of April 8th, 1821) here follows:

"MY DEAR BROTHER HOUGH,

"I fully intended to send the translation of Acts by the Elizabeth, which carries this letter, but it is not within the compass of possibility. I have sat with the teacher, from half-past-eight in the morning till (except dinner time) five at night, for some time past. The Revision was completed yesterday; but I cannot possibly transcribe it in time for the present opportunity; but it shall positively be sent by the next, and will, most probably, be accompanied by Ephesians, upon the revision of which we shall enter immediately."

"May-Noo's son called in just now and told us that Moung Shwa-Tha had made a great effort to supplant the present viceroy, and had been wholly repulsed; the emperor saying, that his grandfather, the late emperor, had given the place to Myaday-men for life! If half of this be true, it is most propitious to the mission. I think we are in no fear of persecution during the administration of the present viceroy. But all things are fluctuating in this country."

MISSION AT CHITTAGONG.

A letter from Mr. Colman, dated June 5, 1821, conveys the gratifying intelligence, that, in consequence of an application on his part to the English (provincial) government, he had received official permission to reside at Chittagong, and pursue his great objects at this important station. Mr. Colman advises the erection of suitable buildings, and the establishment of the mission on a permanent basis. A habit of inquiry is abroad, and it is hoped that the Spirit is already brooding upon the face of the waters, preparatory to the dawn of light and life in those desolate regions.

CIVIL RETROSPECT

For January, 1822.

FOREIGN.

Just at the close of this month, an arrival from the eastern continent has brought us some very interesting intelligence on the subject of Turkish affairs. Persia, an ancient inveterate enemy of Turkey, has invaded the Turkish dominions in Asia, and her armies have made very considerable advances into the Turkish frontier. Russia, in the mean time, whose interference in the Persian attack seems highly probable, maintains her warlike aspect on the borders of Turkey in Europe, and seems waiting only that the anarchy in Turkey may arrive at its height, to strike the blow which, to all human views, must prostrate the Turkish Empire. The Greeks, in the mean time, are continuing the war with vigour; and the conduct of both parties in this civil, or rather servile war, is marked with a rivalry in cruelty, which promises to exceed all former excesses in carnage and murder. The accounts of the cruelties on both sides are too shocking and disgusting for record; and we would not, for the honour of human nature, contribute even by our perishable record to rescue such scenes from oblivion. The age we live in, is plainly one of the most remarkable in the compass of history. The French Revolution, with its infidelity, its false politics, its hypocritical morality, and its military ferocity, having heaved all Europe from its foundations, overturned many thrones, and sown far and wide the seeds of revolution which do not yet cease to germinate, terminated in a despotism unequalled in the sagacity of its measures of domestic and foreign policy; and in the vigour and disregard of human happiness and human life with which they were executed. This despotism, embracing all Europe, is overthrown by the conspiracy of nations, and a general peace takes place. This event is immediately succeeded by a series of occurrences which promise to outvie in permanent interest the tremendous earthquakes of the French Revolution. Greece is raised from the dead. Ata time when nothing seemed to give reason for hope, that a revolution in Greece could have any other termination than the punishment of the rebels who should attempt it, a revolt takes place. In attempting to quell it, the fierce Turk commits excesses of cruelty so much beyond every thing even in his own annals, that the nations of Europe cannot suppress the human nature within them, and feel obliged to thrust themselves between the tyger and his prey. And while the preparations are making to enforce the decrees of humanity if need be by the sword, Providence lets loose a new enemy, alike infidel, equally cruel and barbarous in warfare with Turkey herself, with a heart inflamed with ancient enmity, and the sectarian violence of Mahommedan schism, to make this devoted country a more sure and easy victim to the nation which seems destined to be the executioner of the sentence of destruction. How vast, how deep, how wise, how good, are the counsels of Him, "who doeth his pleasure in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth,"-"who is wonderful in council and excellent in working."

In reflecting upon the probable consequences of the present state of things, the character of the present emperor of Russia, whose conduct is likely to affect all the vast and fertile regions of Greece, and of European and Asiatic Turkey, becomes a subject of controlling interest; and because we entertain an opinion on this subject different from that commonly entertained by our countrymen, we shall take the present opportunity of offering it to the consideration of our readers. Placed as this monarch has been on the throne of the most extensive empire in Europe, over a nation on whom the dawn of civilization has just broken; at a period when the distracted condition of the kingdoms of Europe, palsied by the anarchical effects of the French revolution, gave to the mere physical strength of the tribes which he governed, an ascendency from the unity of purpose with which it was wielded, he has acted a part uniformly moderate, courageous, firm, persevering and vigorous; he has employed the wisest means for civilizing his vast empire, for promoting its advancement in commerce and the useful arts, and has by his countenance, and by his private conduct and public administration, fostered religion, and promoted the diffusion of its light through his vast regions. In his foreign concerns, he has publicly adopted Christian principles as the fundamental rules of his policy and although his interference in the affairs of Spain and Italy, has drawn upon his conduct many severe animadversions, yet when we consider how little of real, practicable liberty was aimed at, or even desired by the revolutionists in these countries; and on the other hand, the desolations not yet repaired, which Europe had sustained from the revolutionary principles of the French revolution, we must not pronounce his interference unwarranted, even upon the strictest principles of self defence, or the most correct maxims of civil liberty. If it be asked, whether despotism be not the same whether it be in the hands of a Czar or a Sultan, and whether the despotism of the Czar will ever admit of civil liberty among his people, we would answer, that for the civilization of an ignorant and barbarous people, or the government of a people highly vicious, a despotism seems the only eligible, as it is in fact the only practicable means; and that the evils of unlimited power are a necessary concomitant of such states of society so long as they continue: and as to any comparison between Russian and Turkish despotism, we would liken it only to one between the conduct of the father of infant children, and that of the master of a slave-trader. So far then from distrusting the good effects of Russian victories over the armies of the Crescent, we shall, until Alexander the deliverer, shall show a new and a very different character from that he now possesses, hail them as the advances of honour, truth, humanity and religion, into the places now literally the habitations of falsehood, cruelty, superstition and death.

DOMESTIC.

The new constitution of this state has been adopted by a very considerable majority of the people, although the precise number is not yet ascertained. Whatever may have been the views of any as to its excellency or defects, one course now becomes the duty of all that course is, to use their endeavours to make it productive of the most extensive good. Upon the Christian community especially, duties of the greatest importance and deepest interest devolve. From the extension of the right to vote, and the additional power given to the bodies elected, it becomes doubly important, that the great mass of the people should be leavened with intelligence and with moral and religious principles: for they are now not only to be regarded for their own sakes, but as holding in their hands, so far as men can do so, the welfare of the whole community; and as the poor, who in all countries form the great majority, shall be made capable of judging rightly of public men and measures, and become honest and conscientious in the judgments they are called on to form, so will good and able men be preferred or rejected; and the course of the state be marked with moral and religious as well as political advancement, or general deterioration. How important in this view are the societies and institutions for the education of the poor, plans for visiting their families with the design of keeping them within the sphere of Christian observation, and in reach of the operation of a regard for moral character. How important the means to suppress the intemperance, idleness and other vices of the poor. Lotteries, the legal gambling tables of all classes, poor and rich, are by the constitution abolished; but the tippling houses remain, less easy of extirpation, but more pernicious and destructive, and demand the united and most strenuous opposition of all good men. How important especially does the application of correct principles on the subject of the poor laws become. If the principles detailed in the late report of the Society for the prevention of pauperism are true, and the present laws do tend (as is contended, and in our opinion successfully) to increase the numbers and debase the character of the poorer classes of society, and that in a ratio increasing in a degree of which no adequate conception can well be formed, how fatally will they operate and how immovably will they be established, when it shall be almost entirely in the power of these very poor, or at least, of those who are within the influence of the motives and temptations presented by these laws, to determine not merely whether support shall be given, but who shall be entitled to it, and what the extent of its provisions shall be. How loudly does this view of the new state of things call upon every man, who has or can acquire influence by means of talents, property or character, to step forward and do his duty, in respect of the important objects of spreading intelligence and religious and moral principles among the poor, and of removing every thing from our institutions which shall have even a remote tendency to debase their character.

* See review of it in our two last numbers.

In connexion with this subject, we are happy to state, that a resolution has been introduced into the house of assembly of this state, providing for an inquiry into some plan of making the paupers supported by law work for the benefit of the public: and a report has been introduced into the house, approving the principle and proposing to authorize coercion in the officers of the alms-house in this city for this purpose. One difficulty, suggested by the report, struck our minds as very strange, if not very absurd: the committee expressed that some doubt had existed whether, as these paupers were not convicted of any crime, they could rightly be compelled to labour against their will. Indeed!-Have any class in society so unquestionable a right to support from the public, that terms and conditions cannot be imposed upon it? Has idleness, improvidence, or even distress, so perfect and absolute a right to our money, that we cannot even direct the mode by which they shall receive it? To us, the very suggestion of a doubt of the propriety of such a measure on such a ground, is a most alarming symptom of a disorder in our system, which, if not now checked before these same poor shall acquire greater influence and numerical importance, will prostrate the whole body politic. The measure proposed in the report will, we suppose, be passed, as it is not without precedent, even in this state, and as the mind of the public demands an experiment at least, upon this subject. We trust that this will be the beginning of a more extensive legislation, and that when the attention of the legislature shall be drawn to this interesting subject, at some period less incumbered than the present with the business of preparing for the operation of the new constitution, important and decisive measures will be adopted.

In Congress the subject of the Bankrupt Bill is fairly under debate; but it is impossible at present to form a rational conjecture either of the features which the bill_will ultimately assume, or of the probability of its becoming a law. Jan. 31, 1822.

SUMMARY.

FROM the Serampore mission we learn that death has made a breach in the family at that station. "Amongst the causes of deep sorrow," says Mr. Pearce, in a letter of June 14, " is the death of Mrs. Carey, the wife of our beloved and venerated friend Dr. Carey." He had "the happiness to find the good man bear his trouble with dignity and submission."

We understand that the Rev. Mr. Ward has safely arrived in India, but the particulars of his voyage have not come to hand.

Interesting intelligence has been received from the Palestine mission, but we did not receive it in time for this day's Herald.

From the Union Mission letters have been received, dated Nov. 12, which state that the health of the family was improving; that Mr. Woodruff and Miss Foster were united in marriage on the 11th of November. Respecting the war between the Cherokees and Osages various reports have been in the newspapers, from which we conclude there has been an engagement, which resulted in the defeat of the latter.

A letter from a member of the Great Osage Mission states, that Mrs. Montgomery, and four of the infants of the family, have paid the debt of nature. Mrs. M. died on 28th of October.

Death of Mrs. Morrison. MARY, wife of the Rev. Robert Morrison, D. D. died at Macoa (China) on the 10th of June last, (of the cholera morbus,) after an illness of 14 days. Her sufferings were so great as scarcely to admit of any expression of her views and feelings; but Dr. Morrison says, "I bless God for the assured hope that her departed spirit has reached the haven of eternal rest." She was born in Dublin, Oct, 24, 1791.

Bombay. Dreadful ravages are made at this place by the cholera morbus. "In three days," says the Rev. H. Davies, "I followed 32 persons to the grave, and five more were buried yesterday, and the work of death is still going on.

سود

Ordinations. At Sharon, Mass. December 19th, the Rev. JOSEPH B. FELT, over the Congregational Church in that place. On the same day, at Paris, Me. the Rev. JOSEPH WALKER, to the pastoral care of the Congregational Churches in Paris and Norway.

The Seaman's Magazine.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. - They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.-Psalms.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY AND BETHEL UNION.

THE Anniversary of this valuable institution was held in the metropolis in October.

It has scarcely ever fallen to our lot to record such a display of public approbation and popular feeling towards an institution of only three years' date. This society has unquestionably laboured with indefatigable ardour and zeal to promote the general good of seamen, and to awaken public attention to this object; and the circumstances of the past month prove that they have not laboured in vain. The anniversary commenced on Monday, October 8, when a sermon was preached in that noble and spacious edifice, Great Queen-street chapel, by the Rev. G. C. Smith. On Tuesday, the 9th, the Rev. R. Marks, vicar of Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, preached for the society at St. Bride's church in the morning: and, on the evening of the same day, the Rev. T. Roberts, of Bristol, preached at Zion chapel.

The congregations were uniformly large, attentive, and deeply interested in the subjects discussed by the respective preachers. Nearly £100 were collected at the different services.

The annual public meeting was held at the City of London Tavern, on Wednesday, the 10th, in the evening. As early as four, P. M. some persons began to collect in the great room, and the meeting was expected to be very full, both from the increased circulation of the " Sailor's Magazine," and the general publicity that had been given throughout the metropolis; still there was no idea that such crowds would flock to this annual meeting, as the finest season of the year was past, and so many friends to religious exertions were out of town.

We understand that several secretaries and friends of maritime Societies, in various parts of the kingdom, had arrived in London to attend this anniversary-particularly from Penryn, Plymouth, Portsea, Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh, and other ports.

Soon after five, P. M. the great room was crowded to excess, and a general cry was raised, that no more could be admitted; still a multitude of the most respectable ladies and gentlemen continued to arrive, and the orchestra and committee room were quite filled.

It was now absolutely necessary that another room should be engaged, and orders were given to this effect. This room was also soon filled, and several persons went away. Captain Sir George Keith, Bart. of the Royal Navy, condescended to take the chair in the lower room. The ReVOL. VIII

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