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eircumstances in providence by which they

have fallen into our hands, and that here they are brought together, from the midst of heathens and Mohammedans, to learn the knowledge of the true God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, through whom, at least some of them, I trust, will become heirs of God, and joint heirs of Jesus Christ:--when I think on these things, I feel what I am not able to express. For my part, I know not where a more pleasant sight, or a more agreeable family, is to be seen. But if I am filled with wonder when I think how these young people have been brought together, I am equally so, when I consider whom Providence has given them for an instructor. Who could have thought that a Mohammedan Priest was to give up his charge among his own people, come and live with us, notwithstanding all the danger and obloquy to which it exposes him, and' employ himself diligently in teaching the children the principles of Christianity. This is wonderful indeed, and perhaps unprecedented in the history of missions! This encourages us; and will, I hope, induce many with you to pray more fervently, that 'Zion may stretch forth her curtains' over the lands that are groaning under the cruel bondage and horrid superstition of Mohammedanism, that so they may be delivered, enlightened, and blessed with the liberty wherewith Jesus Christ maketh those free who truly know his name!

"Many of the people around us begin to perceive the absurdity of the doctrines, which they have hitherto professed, and would willingly come and settle along with us; and not only so, but embrace Christianity, from a persuasion that it is a better religion, could we afford them protection from their tyrannical chiefs, who rule over them with most despotic sway. Several of them have come and told us so themselves. No farther back than yesterday there came two men here, who had a long conversation with Mr. Brunton, and pleaded with him earnestly to go to the Russian General, to see if he would afford them and their families protection, should they come and settle with us, which, they said, they wished to do, for the express purpose of learning the truths of Christianity. Nor is it one or two families, but many that wish to do this; and if we could give them protection, we are persuaded that many would soon flock to this place. At the same time, as I observed before, it must be owned, that great numbers of the people, and especially of those about this village, are excessively CHRIST. OBSERV. No, 50.

bigotted to their own faith, and do not seem to rejoice at our arrival.

"Of all the places I have seen, since I came to this quarter of the Russian empire, I have seen none that will bear a comparison with Karass. It is delightfully situated on the side of the Besh-Taw, and surrounded with land of the finest quality. There is a beautiful plain on the east, about a verst from this, extending from the foot of the mountains to a considerable distance. In the midst of it are two Tartar villages. On the south we have a fine hilly country; and on the north and west, the mountains of Caucasus raise their towering heads to the clouds. The sides of them are covered with excellent hard-wood; the beech in particular abounds here, and grows to a prodigious size. We could not wish to be better situated for wood and water: the former we have in abundance, about a mile and a half off, and the latter runs past our door in a plentiful stream that comes down from the mountains. Owing to various circumstances, we have not yet had it in our power to get any thing done about the land that is to be assigned us; but I hope, that we shall be able in our next letter, to give you satisfactory information on this bead.”

The funds of the Society which supports this promising mission are by no means in a flourishing state.

Should any individual wish to employ a little money in ransoming one or more Tartar slaves, with the view of having them instructed in the Christian faith, the missionaries will cheerfully undertake to be. the almoners of his bounty. On this subjeet more accurate information may be obtained from the Rev. Walter Buchanan, of Edinburgh, Secretary to the Society.

WEST INDIES.

An account has lately appeared of the progress of the methodist missions among the poor negroes in our West India Islands; which, in the almost utter neglect that they experience at the hands of the Church of of England*, can not but impart satisfaction to every feeling mind.

*We wish to take this opportunity of correcting an error which has been pointed out to us by a respectable correspondent. We had stated, in our number for Decem ber last, our belief that of the clergymen sent to the West Indies by the Bishop of London in the capacity of missionaries, none now remained there. In this how

S.

In St. Christopher's, the mission is said to prosper in a singular degree. "The simplicity, zeal, and piety of thousands of the negroes in that island call for much thankfulness and praise to God," and it is added "that their uprightness of conduct, their fidelity to their masters, and all the Christian virtues which they manifest in their lives, afford strong reason to believe that the work in general in that island is deep and established. And what is perhaps still more pleasing, the white people begin, many of them to delight to attend the preaching of the Gospel. At Dominica the society had increased from 50 to above 1000, but the Chapel at Prince Rupert's Bay had been blown down by a hurricane, and the poor people were unable to rebuild it, which proved a considerable hindrance to the mission. The funds of the mission are also stated to be inadequate to the expence. Since the persecuting act of the legislature of Jamaica has been disallowed by his Majesty, the mission to that island has again resumed its activity; and could the means be obtained of erecting places of worship, the prospect of usefulness is stated to be considerable. Missions are also established with various degrees of success in the Islands of Antigua, Tortola, Spanishtown, St. Bartholomew's, St. Vincenys, Grenada, Barbadoes, and in the Bahama Islands, Bermuda and Demerara.

CATECHIZING.

We have been favoured with a letter from the Rev. Basil Woodd, Minister of Bentinck Chapel, Paddington, expressing

ever we were mistaken. Two of them, the Rev. Messrs. Territ and Nankivel, we are informed, still continue their labours as missionaries. To the latter a regular living had been offered; but he had declined the offer in order that he might bestow all his time on the poor negroes, hundreds of whom flocked to hear him, and among whom, it is added, he has had some success. We understand that it is in the power of a clergyman in Yorkshire, to furnish a particular account of the proceed. ings of these missionaries. Should this be the case, we shall be extremely obliged to him for any communications on the subject which he may deem it adviseable to make.

his surprise at the unfounded charges against some of his clerical brethren which have been advanced by Mr. Pearson, in a tract reviewed by us in December last. Mr. Woodd for one is so far from neglecting the duty of catechizing, that he has no less than 500 children under his immediate superintendance, to whose religious instruction he devotes, in addition to the afternoon of the first Sunday in each month, two, and for the greatest part of the year three mornings in each fortnight, during which he makes the Church Catechism the basis of his catechetical labours. Mr. Woodd has at the same time obligingly sent us a copy of the tracts which he has published for the benefit of the young. These we have read with cordial approbation, and we recommend them without reserve to all who are concerned in the education of youth, as excellent manuals of religious knowledge and sound instruction. The tracts are as follow:

1. A Card containing Morning and Evening Prayers and Hymns for Children, with a short summary of the Christian religion.

2. A Card containing a Catechism ou the Duties of Children to their Parents. 3. A Card containing a Catechism on the Duties of Servants.

4. A short Introduction to the Church Catechism, designed as a first book for Children. Price 2d.

5. The Same with the addition of the Church Catechism, with 'short Questions and Scripture Proofs, and the Card No. 1. Price 4d.

6. An Explanation of the Church Catechism, containing a plain Account of the Christian Covenant, Creed, Duty, Prayer, and Sacraments, with a short Statement of Baptism, Confirmation, Church Government, the Inspiration of Scripture, &c. &c. 12th Edition. Price 6d.

7. Abridged Explanation of the Church Catechism, with an Appendix containing Cards 2 and 3. Price 2d.

8. A concise Statement of the two Covenants. Price 3d.

9. The Faith and Duty of a Christian, chiefly taken from Bishop Gastrell's Christian Institutes. Price 3d.

10. Advice to Youth, principally designed for young People leaving School. Price. 1s. These may all be had of Watts and Bridgewater, Hatchard or Rivingtons,

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

CONTINENTAL AFFAIRS.

THE treaty of peace between AUSTRIA and FRANCE has at length been published. By the articles of this treaty the constitution of the Germanic empire is completely overthrown; and yet the King of SWEDEN is the only member of it who has dared to complain. Bonaparte may be considered as lord paramount of Germany; nor is there any one of its powers who can now venture to move without his permission. As for the Emperor he is thrust out from all coneern in that country of which he continues the nominal head. He seems even to have renounced his ancient title of Emperor of the Romans, at least no mention is made of it in the treaty; the 5th article of which also acknowledges the French Emperor to be King of Italy. And with this title the absolute dominion of those parts of Italy which had previously been annexed to France is confirmed to Bonaparte; together with the entire cession of all the territories of the quondam Venetian Republic. Austria is thus driven out of every part of Italy. The whole of her German dominions also, including all the territory stretching from Gravenau near the river Iltz to Braunau on the Inn, the Tyrol, and whatever she possessed in Swabia and on the borders of Switzerland, have been divided between the new Kings of Bavaria and Wirtemberg, whose kingly dignity is acknowledged in the treaty without even the form of consulting the States of the Empire, and the Elector of Baden. Permission is also given to the first of these three powers to seize and occupy the free imperial city of Augsburgh.

In short, Austria has lost, as has been calculated, 1300 square miles of territory containing 2,716,000 inhabitants, and yielding a revenue of upwards of 16 millions of florins, besides all her influence and power in Germany and Italy. The only return made by the treaty for all these cessions is the territory of Wurtzburg in Franconia, which has been given to the Archduke Ferdinand, as an indemnity for some fragments of the Electorate of Saltzburgh which have been taken from him, and added to the Austrian dominions.

This treaty is supposed to contain some secret articles, by which Austria is encouraged to seek an indemnity for her

losses in the West, by seizing some of the Turkish provinces which form the Eastern boundary of her empire. Many circumstances concur in giving probability to this statement, particularly the advance of an Austrian force to the Turkish frontier: and we have little doubt that in a short time some attempt will be made, for which the existing insurrection in Servia and the neighbouring provinces will furnish both convenient pretexts and tempting facilities, not only by the Austrians from Hungary but by the French from Dalmatia, to dismember the Turkish Empire. Any attempt of this kind will naturally excite the jealousy of Russia, and may lead her to anticipate the blow with which the Ottoman power is threatened. What may be the effects of these rumoured movements it is impossible to state. One effect, as is not improbable, may be the downfal of Mahommedanism in Europe; an event, which, if we may believe those who have made the prophetic writings the object of their study, is so closely connected in point of time with the restoration of the Jews to their own land, and with other still more awful and affecting changes, as to excite a peculiar interest in the breast of the christian observer. We are aware that we tread on tender ground, and we therefore gladly retire from it. The transient glance, however, which we have ventured to cast at the possible course of future events, naturally suggests to us, (and we wish to press the thought on the attention of our readers) how very incompetent the wisest politicians are to appreciate the intrinsic value, and the real tendency, of any of those occurrences which, in their turn, excite the opposite and conflicting feelings of hope and fear. The battle of Austerlitz, for example, calamitous as it has appeared to us to be, may possibly only have paved the way for the more speedy developement of "those scenes surpassing fable," which form the subject of the ardent prayers and longing expectations of every true Christian. Indeed under the pressure of events still more distressing, the true Christian,relying on that word of promise—“ all things shall work together for good to them that love God:" and confidently believing that all the revolutions of empires are tending to that glorious consummation, when “all the kingdoms of the world shall become the

kingdoms of our God and of his Christ," will not want for sources of consolation. He will indeed be assiduous in the fulfil ment of every civil, social, and relative duty, and so much the more as he sees the day approaching; but he will at the same time cast his cares on God, and commit himself, and all his dearest interests to him, in well doing, with a perfect confidence in his wisdom, power, and love.

The Emperor of RUSSIA, probably with a view to the threatened movements of Austria and France, is said to be busily augmenting his force both naval and military in the Euxine and Ionian seas.

The great body of the French army, lately employed in Moravia, is bending its march homewards, and is destined probably to resume its menacing position at Boulogne, where the most stupendous works, intended to facilitate the projected invasion of this country, have been continued without interruption. A large army, however, still continues cantoned in Swabia and its vicinity, for the purpose partly of extorting contributions from thejprostrate powers of Germany, and partly probably for that of overawing PRUSSIA. The contributions imposed on Frankfort alone, have amounted to near .200,000. These merciless exactions manifest, more than any words can do, the rapacity, the contempt of all engagements, and the unbridled despotism, which mark the career of Bonaparte.

The fate of NAPLES has probably been decided some weeks since. The French force under Massena had advanced as far as Rome in execution of the decree of Bonaparte that the present Neapolitan Dynasty had ceased to reign. The British and Russian troops who had landed at Naples have probably re embarked; and that kingdom must of course fall an easy prey to the arms of France.

It has been reported that a body of Spanish troops was on its march to Portugal, with the professed object of compelling that power to shut its ports against England. And fears have also been entertained lest the free towns in the north of Germa. ny, and even Prussia herself, should be reduced to the necessity of completely excluding all English commerce.

In short, it seems the determination of Bonaparte to extinguish the light of freedom wherever he can exert his power. By his dark decrees, Europe is to consist henceforth only of tyrants and slaves: and to give these decrees effect, Great Britain must be cut off, let the design cost what acts of violence it may, from all commu

nication with the continent. What a crisis is that at which we seem to have arrived! It is indeed a fearful one; but fearful to many, chiefly from the apprehension that our new ministers may be reluctant to risk their popularity by the adoption of those novel and energetic measures of policy, which the new and unprecedented emergency in which they are placed loudly calls on them to pursue. For our own part, we shrink from the discussion of a subject which so much exceeds our comprehension.

By an article from GENOA it appears, that a considerable commotion had been excited there by the levy of a number of men to be employed in the occupation of Venice. A proclamation issued on this occasion by Le Brun, after using several soothing arguments, thus concludes: "Oh! do not compel me to lay aside the character of indulgence, and to punish those whom I have sworn to render happy. You are surrounded by an armed force. If a word be spoken you shall ALL be punished, INNOCENT OR GUILTY." But it is not merely the horrid ferocity of this proclamation, but the evidence it affords of the progress France is making in the augmentation of her military power, which claims our attention. No sooner is Genoa finally incorporated with France; than its inhabitants are made to bend under a cruel system of conscription. Her martial bands thus augment in proportion to the extent of her acquisitions: and in this way does the ambition of her chief appear to be laying the foundations of universal empire.

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Bonaparte returned to Paris on the 26th of January. Previously to his return a letter from him was delivered to the senate announcing the peace of Presburgh, and the marriage of Prince Eugene Beauharnois, "my son," with the Princess Augusta of Bavaria. "I cannot resist," he adds, "the pleasure of remaining with the young coupie, who are models of their sexes." This letter was followed by another, communicating a decree of Bonaparte by which he adopts Prince Eugene as his son, and constitutes him and his descendants heirs of the crown of Italy, which in the case of his having no issue, is to devolve on one of the nearest relations of the prince of the imperial blood, who shall then sway the sceptre of France. What must be the destinies reserved for the imperial brotherhood of Bonaparte, if his stepson is already appointed to the inheritance of a kingly throne!

The return of Bonaparte to Paris has been made as grateful to him as the most fulsome

strains of adulation, poured on him from all quarters, and the most flattering decree's of triumphal monuments could make it. The senate met him in a body, and offered him "the homage of the admiration, the gratitude, and the love of the French people."

The north of Germany has been evacuated by the allied forces. The British troops have all returned to England. Prus sia has in the mean time taken possession of Hanover. This occupation is stated to be in consequence of an arrangement concluded with Bonaparte, and the professed object of it is to prevent the north of Germany from becoming the theatre of war. His Prussian Majesty is to keep it till the conclusion of a general peace: but whether it will then be restored to its lawful owner seems a very doubtful point.

EAST INDIES.

We announced at the close of our last number the lamented death of the Marquis Cornwallis, Governor General of India. This afflicting event took place on the 5th of October last at Ghazeepore, in the province of Benares, where his Lordship had arrived, in his progress to assume the personal command of the army, and to effect, if possible, an adjustment of all existing differences with the native powers. During a long and active life this illustrious nobleman was eminently distinguished by the most honourable and persevering exertions in the service of his country. As a patriot, a statesman, and a warrior, he will ever rank in the first class of British worthies. To his wise and benevolent arrangements during his former administration, may our empire in India be said to be indebted, auder Providence, for the happiness and prosperity to which it has attained; and to the great object of restoring and consoli dating that happiness and that prosperity, he may be considered as having sacrificed his life. The sacrifice we trust has not been unavailing. The short space during which it pleased Providence to continue him in the government of India, was most assiduously employed in repairing the errors of the preceding administration; in retrenching unnecessary expences; in economizing the company's resources; and above all in allaying the jealousy and distrust which late events had naturally excited, in the minds of the native Princes, respecting the projects of British ambition. It is to be deplored that he did not live long enough to perfect the work of peace which he had so happily begun. We hope, how ever, that he has laid a solid foundation for

conciliation and confidence, on which his successor will have little difficulty in erect. ing a durable superstructure. Sir George Barlow who was next in council succeded to the Government on the death of the Marquis, and fully adopted, as is said, the economical, unambitious, and pacific views of his predecessor. He has since, we are happy to add, been confirmed in that office by the unanimous vote of the Court of Directors.

A monument to the memory of the Mar quis Cornwallis in St. Paul's, has been voted by the House of Commons.

AMERICA.

The constitution of the United States restrains Congress from abolishing the Slave trade prior to the 1st of January, 1808., The House of Representatives, however, anticipating their constitutional power, sent up a bill for prohibiting the importation of slaves into any State in the Union, from and after the 1st of January, 1808. In the senate the Bill was opposed, and, after a great struggle, rejected, on the obvious principle, that the restriction in the constitutional act postponed the right of legislating for such a purpose, and not merely that of giving an earlier operation to the law. The words of, the restriction are, "the migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year 1808 :" and they appear scarcely compatible with the passing a prospective prohibitory, act in

1805. Yet such is the impatience felt in America at the temporary toleration of the slave trade, by any State in the Union, that this violent strain of the constitution was twice supported, even in the senate, by considerable majorities, and was de feated at last only by the Vice-President's casting voice.

This decision took place on the 18th of December last, and is detailed in The Net¬ York Evening Post of December 23. The account adds," it was allowed on all hands, that, as soon as the time arrived when the Congress shall possess the constitutional power of prohibiting the importation of slaves, it would be proper for them to exercise it."

The only American State which admits slaves into its ports is South Carolina, and this proceeding, as was formerly stated, (vol. for 1804, p. 678) gave very great and general umbrage throughout the Union. A motion was lately made in the legislature of that State for renewing the law which interdicted the slave trade. The bill was

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