NOTICE OF THE DECEASE OF THE REV. ALFRED FINNEY. Ar p. 334 of the last number, it was mentioned that recent letters from the Arkansas mission had brought the intelligence that the Rev. Alfred Finney, one of the pioneers of that mission, died on the 13th of June. In consequence of the treaty concluded by the government of the United States, in May 1828, (vol. xxiv, p. 291,) with that portion of the Cherokees residing on the Arkansas river, and their removal, the mission station at Dwight, has been relinquished, and a new station established on the Salisau, a northern branch of the Arkansas, about 100 miles west of the old station. The mission family removed to the new station during the last spring, and were in the midst of the labor of erecting buildings and making other preparations, when Mr. Finney was called away. Mr. Finney was a native of Plymouth, in the state of Vermont. He entered the junior class in Dartmouth College in the spring of 1814, and graduated with that class at the commencement in 1815. After completing his theological studies he preached in several towns in his native state until he was appointed a missionary of the Board to the Cherokees of the Arkansas, in connexion with the Rev. Cephas Washburn. They set out for the field of their future labors in the fall of the year 1819. After a long delay in the Choctaw nation, and encountering various hardships, and suffering much from exposure and sickness while ascending the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers, they reached the place of their destination about the middle of July, 1820. (vol. xvi. p. 566; and vol. xvii. pp. 147, 211.) From that time till his decease, though his labors were considerably interrupted by sickness, he continued to be faithfully occupied in the work which he had chosen. Mr. F., as is learned from a letter of Mr. Washburn, was seized with a fever of an inflammatory character, on the 4th of June. At first he was not regarded as being in danger. His disease was not very violent, and medicine had a good effect. On the morning of the 8th VOL. XXV. he was thought considerably better. At that time Mr. Washburn was under the necessity of leaving the station for some days; and before he could return his beloved associate in the missionary work had ceased from his labors, and he could only join the family in the funeral solemnities, in which they were engaged at the time of his arrival. The following additional particulars respecting the sickness of Mr. F. and the brief view of his character are given in the language of Mr. Washburn. From the family I learned that his disease assumed a new and threatening aspect in the evening of the day I left home. From that time till his death, his sickness was most distressing. He was deprived of his reason wholly, except at short intervals. He was, however, blessed with the use of his mental powers a sufficient time to take leave of his family and the mission, and to indicate a firm and peaceful hope in death. We were favored with the attendance of Doct. Palmer, and Doct. Thornton in his sickness, and have the consoling reflection, that every thing was done for him that could be. But he had 43 reached that period when friends and phy- || with me, had fallen in the midst of the sicians could no longer protract his stay on earth. He had finished his course. The Lord had nothing more for him to do in this world of labor and trouble, and he removed him to rest. Mr. Finney's health had suffered greatly by his residence in this climate, and was severely affected by the trials he was called to encounter. His labors, also, as a commissioner to appraise the improvements relinquished by the Cherokees, were too great for his feeble constitution. But after his arrival here, and having entered upon his labors as superintendent of buildings, he seemed happy, and I hoped would enjoy health and be able successfully to carry forward the establishment. This hope has been disappointed by his removal from us and his labors. His death, you are aware, is a great loss to us. I have been long and intimately acquainted with Mr. Finney, and I know how to appreciate him. He was a man of sterling worth. His death has bereaved his feeble wife, of a tender husband; his three helpless babes of an affectionate and faithful father; the mission of an active, pious, devoted, and judicious fellow laborer; and the heathen of one who "longed for their souls in the bowels of Jesus Christ." Mrs. Finney is greatly afflicted, though she bears the stroke with uncomplaining submission. Already she begins, I trust, "to reap" from this "grievous stroke," "the peaceable fruits of righteousness." To myself the loss is very great. I feel as though my companion and counsellor, who commenced the missionary course race, and left me to traverse the remainder of my way alone. By his death a double weight of cares, labor, and responsibility is thrown upon my hands. I have depended upon Mr. Finney much as an adviser. I have always found him interested in all my perplexities, and ready to assist me with his counsel, and I have never found his advice other than judicious. The loss of Mr. F. as a minister will be felt by the family very deeply. In this capacity he was such a man as is needed by every mission family. As a preacher his talents were considerably above mediocrity. His sermons were generally well studied, well expressed, and ingenious. But their great excellency was their seasonableness and the deep tone of elevated scriptural piety which characterized them all. By all to whom Mr. F. was known he was much respected. By the natives he was greatly beloved. Indeed he commanded the respect and esteem of every one by whom he was intimately known; and if any entertained other feelings towards him, it was they who knew him not, or were not able to appreciate his character. He possessed great sensibility and delicacy of feeling. This was often a source of trial to him, but could not, by those who could enter into his feelings, be regarded as a defect in his character. He cared little what was said or thought of himself, if he could be assured that the missionary character and the cause of Christ would not suffer. American Board of Foreign Missions. Bombay. EXTRACTS FROM A JOINT LETTER OF THE MISSIONARIES, DATED JANUARY, 1829. THE semiannual letter from the mission at Bombay, inserted at p. 169, was dated in July 1828. A similar letter recently received gives a view of the mission at the commencement of the present year. In some respects the operations of the mission had not been materially changed, while in others very encouraging progress had been made. The Mahratta services in the chapel on the Sabbath were becoming better attended, the congregation usually consisting of from 60 to 120 or 130 persons. Singing in Mahratta had been introduced among the exercises. The number of schools for boys had increased during the year from 16 to 19; of which eight were in Bombay and eleven on the continent. The number of boys in the schools were 1,100, having received a small increase. The prejudices against female schools were giving way and native parents were beginning to see the reasonableness and importance of having their daughters educated as well as their sons; and the number of females in the schools was increasing in a very encouraging manner. The annual statement respecting the schools may be soon expected. Progress in Printing. The edition of the New Testament, which has been often mentioned in our former communications, is now advanced a far as Corinthians. The parts of it which are completed are passing into extensive circulation, and probably before the whole is finished, a large portion of the first part, consisting of the four Gospels and the Acts, will be distributed among the natives. Facilities for distributing the Scriptures among the native population are yearly becoming greater, and an increasing interest is manifested among the professed followers of Christ, in respect to the importance and the duty of furnishing the heathen around them with the Bible, so that they may be able to read "in their own language the wonderful works of God." We have lately printed a second edition, consisting of 3000 copies, of a tract 12 pages in length, containing the Ten Commandments and selections from the Scriptures. This is designed primarily for the use of the schools connected with the mission, but is also well fitted for distribution among the native population. We have now in the press an edition of Mahratta hymns, consisting of 1000 copies. During a part of the year past, the press has been employed in printing tracts for the Bombay Tract Society. This institution, which was formed about a year ago, includes all the missions in this part of India, and seems likely to be useful in increasing the number of religious publications, and also in extending their circulation into different parts of the country. Notices of Individuals hopefully converted. The year has not gone by without some tokens of the divine favor. On the first Sabbath in October a Portuguese man, who for some months previous had appeared to be an anxious inquirer after truth and had constantly attended on the means of religious instruction, was admitted a member of the church, and his life and conversation have been truly such as becometh the Gospel. He is rather an intelligent man, and as he understands both the Portuguese and the English languages, and has uniformly manifested a deep interest for those who are involved in the ignorance and errors of the Catholic church, we trust he will be useful in making known among them the Gospel of Christ, in its simplicity, its purity, and its power. The other person admitted into the church is a native of the United States. He left America about three years ago, and was at the Sandwich Islands about the time that the captain and crew of the Dolphin committed those outrages on the inhabitants and missionaries, which are generally known to the Christian public. From these Islands he proceeded to the coast of Japan and China; and as the ship was on her return home, he stopped at the Isle of France, where he lived more than a year. Being || desirous of returning again to his native country, and having no prospect of obtaining a direct passage, he embarked on board an English ship, and arrived here in June last. At that time his health was so poor that he could proceed no further, and the ship sailed without him. Soon after we knew of his being in this place, he came to live among us, and his health was soon restored. He is now employed in preparing to cast Mahratta types, which are much needed in the printing depart ment. Previous to his arrival at Bombay, at a time when he was far removed from all religious instruction and Christian society, and surrounded with every kind of iniqui ty, he thinks he experienced the renewing grace of God. A young lady, who came to live in one of our families in May last, has given very pleasing evidence for two or three months, that she has experienced that change of heart which the Scriptures declare to be an essential preparation for the kingdom of heaven. In some former communication during the past year, mention was made of the death of a female teacher, who left encouraging ground to hope that, while engaged in teaching others, she had herself been taught by the Spirit of God, and had become wise unto salvation. Her conduct, more especially during, her sickness and at the time of her death, excited the attention of her friends. Her mother became a constant attendant at the Mahratta exercises in the chapel, and uniformly appeared to listen with deep interest to the truths of the Gospel. This she continued to do till her declining health rendered her unable any longer to attend. During her sickness she professed to be convinced of the truth of Christianity, and to believe in Christ as the Saviour of the world. She said that her prayers were directed to him as her Saviour, and that her hope of salvation was placed on him alone. Her disease, though it did not impair her reason, yet rendered it impossible for her to converse much, and this extreme difficulty of speaking (for she could utter only two or three words at a time, and could never do this without much pain,) probably prevented her making a more full disclosure of her views and feelings. The state of her mind and feelings, however, continued to be the same, till her eyes were closed in death, and her spirit ascended to her Maker and Judge. In October a Hindoo, on a profession of Christianity, was baptised in the American Mission Chapel in Bombay, by the Rev. Mr. Stevenson, of the Scottish mission. This person belonged to a village at con siderable distance in the interior of the country. His mind was first excited to inquiry on the subject of religion, by reading some tracts that fell into his pos session. Hearing of the Scottish missionaries at Bankote and Hurnee, places about 70 and 80 miles south of Bombay, he went there seeking for religious instruction; and continued to be apparently a sincere inquirer after truth, till he gave so much evidence of having experienced its sanctify. ing influence on his heart, that he was baptised. His being baptised in Bombay was owing to the removing of Mr. S., one of the Scottish missionaries, from Hurnee to this place. The person baptised is a young man, and will we trust become a preacher of righteousness to his country men. In our former communications mention was made of a native man who gave so much evidence of having become a Christian, that he was baptised about two years ago. His friends made much opposition,|| declaring that if he should become a Christian and thus lose cast, it would bring disgrace and ruin on the whole family. After his baptism they, (both his own and his wife's father's family, for the consequences of his losing cast would extend to all,) seemed to be disposed to overlook what had taken place, if he would proceed no further. When he was expected to partake of the Lord's supper, he refused, saying he could not do it at this time, as it would make him an outcast, and this would prevent some contemplated connexion in his father's family from taking place. He acknowl. edged it to be his duty, but said he must defer it till the contemplated connexion should be actually formed: then he said it was his determination no longer to regard the prejudices of his people, or neglect his duty to God. After being conversed with and admonished for yielding in such a point, he was separated from the church about two months ago. The effect of the instruction he has received, however, seems not wholly to have left him, for he still occasionally attends the Mahratta exercises in the chapel. We have reason to believe that he does not perform any idolatrous ceremonies, while he himself declares that he worships the true God. His neighbors also say that he does not work on the Sabbath. For these reasons we have not given up all hope that he is a Christian, and our prayer is, that he may yet return to his duty, acknowledge his sin, and be willing to endure any persecution which may come upon him for professing Christ before the world and living a life of obedience to his commands. State of the Catholics. The Catholics are considerably numerous in Bombay, the whole number on the island being estimated at not less than 16,000 or 18,000. A few of these are descended from families originally from Portugal, but most of them are of Hindoo origin, whose ancestors professedly embraced the Christian religion about two centuries ago. At that time Bombay belonged to the Portuguese, and great efforts were made by the Jesuits, aided by the patronage and favor of government to introduce Christianity. By these means many natives became proselytes to the Catholic faith. But though they assumed the name of Christian, yet they have never ceased to be idolaters; for instead of their former idols, they substituted the images of saints, to which they pay a religious homage and worship as really idolatrous as the worship paid by the Hindoos to their gods. These nominal Christians are exceedingly ignorant, and there seems to be nothing which the priests so much dread as an increase of religious knowledge. To see their people addicted to wickedness of almost every kind, appears to give them but little anxiety; but if they hear that a Bible or any religious book or tract has found its way among them, they endeavor by persuasive arts and threats to obtain it; and we have reason to think they do not generally rest easy till they have succeeded in getting it into their own possession. Missionaries here, and at other places on this side of India, have generally considered the Catholics to be in the same need of the Gospel as the Hindoos, and they not unfrequently find them more inaccessible than the heathen. Meeting of the Bombay Missionary Union. The Bombay Missionary Union held its fourth annual meeting at Bombay, near the end of October. The meeting was universally interesting, and from the reports of the various missions it appeared evident that the cause of truth and righteousness is advancing in this part of India. The meeting continued for several days, during which sermons on subjects connected with the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom were preached, various important subjects relating to missionary operations were discussed, and a general examination of the female schools connected with this mission was held in the chapel. One day was observed as a day of fasting and prayer for the cause of Christ, and the Lord's supper was celebrated. The season was one of much interest, and was fit 1829. Ceylon:-Letter of Leopold Dober-Mr. Winslow's Notices of Jaffna. ted to animate and encourage those who are called to the arduous work of preaching the Gospel among the heathen. Ceylon. LITTER OF LEOPOLD DOBER TO HIS PATRONS IN PARSIPPANY, N. J. IN giving an account of the manner in which the members of the class that lately left the mission seminary were employed, (p. 311 of the last number,) it was mentioned that Leopold Dober went to Trichinopoly, for the purpose of teaching an English school and rendering other assistance in the mission there; and that he died very soon after his arrival. The following letter was written to some friends of missions in Parsippany, N. J. by whom he was supported, and is interesting as indicating the character and feelings of the young man, and the progress he had made in acquiring the English language. In a note accompanying the letter, Mr. Poor writes thus 341 | sin, but have been readmitted. Christianity I think will thrive if the rain of Holy Spirit fall. pleased to give me a chance of entering into the Central School. Oh what a blessing it is for me, that missionaries have been sent from America to the extreme part of the world. Had it not been for them, I should have been awfully ruined both in temporal as well as in spiritual things. It is now five years since my entrance into this school, during which time I have attended to many of the sciences, which I need not trouble you by mentioning. Moreover, I am a member of the church, from which I was for a time suspended for falling into When the missionaries came here and settled, first the people laughed and scoffed at them. Not a single man that professed Christianity, excepting Catholics, could be found in the vicinity where they settled. By the grace of God there are more than 100 members of the church. Pray God that he may cause the work of missionaries to prosper. My instructer, Mr. Poor, and all the missionaries are laboring for the promulgation of the Gospel. The inembers of the church also go on the Sabbath evening among the people, and converse on religious subjects. As it is the last time in which you will remit money for me, I pray you to persevere in doing good things-withhold not your hands. Pray for me, so that I may persevere and continue in the works of my Saviour. My friends, though we cannot see each other in this world, yet let us believe in God, that we may see face to face each other in the day of judgment. I feel it to be my incumbent duty to thank you all for the patronage you have given towards me during these five years. Finally, begging you all to remember me in your daily prayers, and I wish you all farewell. I am your obedient and humble student, LEOPOLD DOBER. MR. WINSLOW'S NOTICES OF JAFFNA. [Continued from p. 238.] Botanical Notices. Or the palms, there are the areca, the cocoanut tree, (cocos,) the palmyra, (tau palm, or borassus flabelli formis) and the talipot (licuala spinosa.) The areca, on which grows the nut improperly called betel nut, (because used with the leaf of betel for chewing with tobacco, &c.) is cultivated in all the gardens. It needs much water. Planted, as it usually is, in rows, it makes a handsome appearance; its trunk being perfectly straight, and though scarcely larger than that a man may clasp with his two hands, shooting up 50 or 60 feet, without (as in the case of all the palms,) a single limb. At top, the stem divides itself into leaves or branches, constructed like those of fern or brake, being a composition of a leaf and a branch; which hang down beautifully curved, like the branches of the weeping willow. The stem, from which the fruit is to appear, bursts out from the side of the trunk, a little below the tuft, something in the manner of Indian corn, and the flower or tas |