An Abridgment of the History of New England, for the use of young People. By Haunah Adams. 12mo, neatly half bound, roan backs and corners. Price 3s. The History of the Campaigns, of 1805 in Germany and Italy. By W. Burke, late Army-Surgeon. 6s. Letters from the Dead to the Living, or Thoughts on the separate States of departed Spirits; to which is added, the Conficts of Passion, and final Triumphs of Faith. By L. S. Abington. 1s. con Explanations of Time-Keepers structed by Mr. Thomas Earnshaw and the late Mr. John Arnold. Published by Order of the Commissioners of Longitude. 4to. 5s. The Principles and Regulations of Tranquillity, an Institution commenced in the Metropolis for encouraging and enabling industrious and prudent Individuals in the various Classes of the Community to provide for themselves by the Payment of small weekly sums. By J. Bone. 3s. 6d. A Brief Examination into the Increase of the Revenue, Commerce, and Navigation, of Great Britain, during the Administration of the Right Hon. W. Pitt. By the Right Hon. G. Rose, M. P. 5s. An Account of Two Attempts towards promoting the Improvement and gradual Civilization of the Indian Natives of North America. 2s. A Dialogue between Bonaparte and al-' leyrand on the Subject of Peace with Englaud. 6d. RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. EDINBURGH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THIS Society has lately published its annual report, containing a view of the progress of their affairs during the last year. The only part of this report which we have not anticipated, is an occurrence of considerable importance to their mission in Tartary, which has recently taken place. It is thus related. "When the state of our funds had put it out of the power of the missionaries to redeem any more of the native youths *, the providence of God, in a very extraordinary manner sent them, free of cost, from a distant part of Tartary, above forty children, to be educated in the Christian faith, They are of a tribe of Kirgisian Tartars, of both sexes, and from five to fifteen years of age. In their native country, they were, to human appearance, placed beyond the reach of the means c grace; but HE who says 'I will bring my sons om far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth,' compelled their tribe, under the pressure of famine, to offer their children to the Emperor as the price of bread; and induced his counsellors to present a portion of them to the *The funds of the society, we are sorry to perceive, are now quite exhausted. The directors earnestly solicit the assistance of all who are interested in the success of the Gospel. missionaries at Karass to be educated, under their eye, in the Christian religion. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out.' Would it have been proper for the missionaries to have declined the offer because they had not the approbation of the society? Would it have been proper for the society, after they received information, to have censured their con duct in accepting so singular a gift? CerThey are the Children of Protainly not. vidence. God has said, "Take these children and educate them for me, I will give you your wages:' and it is hoped that the friends of religion will not suffer the missionaries to want the means of feeding and clothing them, and of bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord *." Still later accounts, we understand, have been received from Karass, from which it appears that the missionary settlement is healthy; that the baptized natives conduct themselves in a manner that accredits their profession; that their young people are very promising, several of them being able to read both Turkish and English; that the prejudices of the surrounding natives are not so violent as formerly; and that even some of the Effendis are become friendly, and seem to wish well to their *The family of the missionaries now consists of upwards of 80 persons cause. The Russian Government has made them a grant of land, and annexed to the grant certain important privileges. A tract against Mohammed'sm has been printed by the missionaries in their press at Karass. It is written in Arabic, and the typography is said to be remarkably well executed. The tract makes a great stir among the Moslems. Mr. Brunton has made considerable progress in traustating the Scriptures into the language of the country. To this object he has devoted much of his time and attention; and he thinks that he has succeeded in making such a translation as will be understood, not only by the Turks, but also by the Tartars. All the mis ionaries, and some even of the Effendis, aro anxious to have it printed, but tus cannot be done without a new font of Arabic types; and in the present exhausted state of the society's fund it is doubtful whether they can engage in this great and necessarily expensive work. METHODIST CONFERENCE. The minutes of the annual conference of the methodist preachers late in connexion with Mr. Wesley, represent the numbers in their societies to be as follows: In Great Britain............. In Ireland........... .110,803 23,773 40 1,418 Gibraltar...... Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and 270,919 In the course of the conference, a question is asked, "Can any advice be given concerning the mode of conducting the Sunday service in our Chapels ?" to which the following answer is given: "We insist upon it, that the Holy Scriptures shall be constantly and statedly read in public, whereever we have preaching in the forenoon of the Lord's Day. Our fixed rule is, that wherever divine service is performed by us in England on the Lord's Day in Church hours, the officiating preacher shall read either the service of the Established Church, our venerable father Mr. Wesley's abridg. ment of it, or at least the lessons appointed by the calendar." There is a latitude in this fixed rule which ought to prevent its proving a burden to any man's conscience. It is impossible not to approve highly of CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 57. the rules of this society with respect to smuggling, which the conference directs to be enforced. "How shall we put a stop to smuggling?"-" Speak tenderly and frequently of it in every society near the coast: carefully disperse Mr. Wesley's word to a smuggler: expel all those who will not leave it off: silence every local preacher who defends it." In another place, in speaking of the extravagance of dress, they express a determination, (which, in some of its objects at least, appears to be a little whimsial,) to put an end to the unjustifiable stom of the men wearing lapelled coats," (were not aware that lapelled coate Re.e onexious to censure) "and expensive showy stuffs; the women wearing etort sleeves and long tiled gowns; and ildren a superi uttons and bands." BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBI Agreeably to our promise, we insert a few extracts from the Appendix to the second annual report of this Society. Extract from an address to the Christians in the Prussian States. "In that highly favoured country where, for a considerable time past, the spirit of active Christian charity has been awakened, and a fire kindled by the Lord, which already shines into the remotest parts of the earth-in the powerful kingdom of Great Britain, a society has been formed, consisting of Christians of all ranks and religious denominations, for the laudable purpose of propagating the word of God to the utmost of their power by cheap distribution among the poor." [Here follows an extract from the first Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society.] "No fire burns upon the aliar of the Lord, without spreading its filmes around. This fire has also extended its flames. The zeal of Christians in England has also infused itself into the hearts of Christians in Germany. "Already in the German Empire a society has been formed actuated by the same spirit and for the same purpose as that in England. In the Prussian states also there is still room for sowing the good seed of the word. They still contain districts, where, in the houses of many Protestant families, the precious Bible is sought in vain." "Christians in our Prussian country! 4 G who have been favoured by God with spiritual blessings in heavenly places, and at the same time in greater or less degrees with temporal goods, aid us by your active concurrence in performing this work of love. Enable us by your charitable contributions, both small and great (for the smallest gift derives worth from the intention of the giver, and becomes, by God's blessing, great) to sow the good seed of God's word in abundance. Let us do good to all men, but chiefly to those of the household of faith. (Gal. vi. 9.)" The above-mentioned address having been inclosed in a letter to his Prussian Majesty, soliciting his gracious protection, be returned the following answer : "It is with real satisfaction that I discover, from your letter of the 7th of February, and the inclosed address, the laudable endeavours of the Prussian Bible Society for the gratuitous and cheap distribution of the Bible to the poor of my dominions; and whilst I render justice to your particular merit in promoting such an useful institution, I transmit to you at the same time 20 Frederick's d'or, as an addition to its funds. I am your gracious King, "FREDERICK WILLIAM." Extract of a Letter from a Roman Catho lic Clergyman in Swabia. 1 "I feel the highest regard for the wise and prudent zeal of the English Bible Committee, because it is my own desire to see the pure and genuine word of God spread, and am so entirely against all corruption of this invaluable treasure, that I myself would prevent it by all means in my power. As the degeneracy of all outward churches is so great and general, and still threatens to become greater and more general, I comfort myself with this, that the Lord is retiring into the inner temple, and more gloriously building up the invisible church. At least he does not sit idle at the right hand of his Father, nor can he lose his suit: whatever may now be the appearance, he must finally be the gainer. Our duty how ever is this, to pray more earnestly than ever let thy kingdom come! and, Lord abide with us, for it is towards evening. Dr. Sailer, (who by his truly evangelical instructions and writings has proved a great blessing to the Roman Catholics in Germany) thus expresses himself in his last book: Christianity is so firmly founded on its own basis, that after it has outlived the times of persecution, after it has remained unshaken in the age of supersti tion, it will also outlive this age of infidelity and contempt.' Therefore we cannot sufficiently rejoice, that we are privileged to serve such a Master, who is infinitely superior to all his enemies, who has the victory in his hands, ever since the world has stood, who finally shall put all enemies under his feet, at whose name every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord. Nor shall we be able sufficiently to know and to appreciate all the excellencies of the kingdom of Christ, and the exalted dignity of his Person: never shall we be able fully to comprehend the favour and happiness vouchsafed to them who shall be partakers of the kingdom of God through faith in Christ. Would not even our blessed Lord and Saviour himself re joice to see the fraternal union which subsists between us, the interest which we mutually take in each other, and the since. rity of our wish to see all our brethren become partakers of the same blessings! Yes, Lord! let thy kingdom come, and be extended further and further. May our blessed Lord and Saviour daily more becone that which he is made of God unto us, Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption; yea may he become our all in all, and we fruitful branches in him the living ne. May light and life and love be multiplied in us, and may the peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the love of God and his dear Son Jesus Chrst.” Extract from an Advertisement of the Roman Catholic Bible Society at Ratisbon, to the Christians of that Persuasion throughout Germany. "To those who value the Doctrine of Jesus. "Dear Brethren and Sisters in Christ! "It is desirable, that the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament could be put into the hands of many pious Christians at a low price. Thereby they would be com forted in their afflictions, strengthened in their trials, and more preserved from the temptations of the world. Many excellent souls do not find in the public religious instruction that for which they hunger; are also often in the confessional only judged for their outward deeds, without being led to an acknowledgment of their inward corruption, and to faith in the blood of Jesus their Redeemer: if these could read the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament in the quiet time of holidays, their faith in the simple doctrines from the mouth of Jesus Christ would, by the mercy of their Saviour, be thereby enlivened; and the Lord's gifts in the Holy Spirit be quickened in them. They would hear the voice of the Father in their inward part, which leads them to their Saviour, of which Christ saith: They shall be all taught of God; and whosoever hath learned of the Father, and receiveth it, cometh unto me.' "From these considerations has arisen, in the minds of some clergymen, a wish to set on foot a cheap German edition of the New Testament, for the use of many pious Christians, the Repository thereof to be at Ratisbon, in the Ecclesiastical Seminary, as a central place in Germany. "I hereby give this intelligence to some known confessors of Christ, with a request that they will consider the matter before the Lord, recommend it to him in prayer; and if he is pleased to afford them any opportunity to contribute in any way toward it, that they will not neglect it. Christian poverty and love have accomplished greater things in the world than the power and riches of the world could do. "O Lord! Redeemer of our souls! Shepherd of the small despised flock! do with this work as may please thee. Thy kingdom proceeds an incessant pace in a still small way, and those who oppose it can do nothing against it, but become thy footstool, and contribute to the rest of thy feet in the peace of thy people. If it please thee, let thy holy history, the history of thy childhood, of thy ministry, of thy suffering, and of the victory of the Holy Spirit in the apostles and firstlings of the Christian Church, come into the hands of thy little ones for their comfort and confirmation." Extract of a Letter from a respectable Lu theran Minister in Esthonia. "As you made some inquiries respecting the state of the Bible in the Russian Empire, permit me now to return you the following answer : "Among the poorer classes of our countrymen the Holy Scriptures are so scarce, that perhaps out of 100 families hardly five will be found in possession of a Bible or New Testament. "The scarcer Bibles are, the more diligently they are read by the people when they can obtain them. "Throughout the whole province of Esthonia there is a great want of Bibles, chiefly among the Swedish and Esthouian peasants. nor private institution for the express purpose of relieving this want by a gratuitous or cheap distribution of Bibles, except a few small legacies, which have been left to some churches for supplying the schools with Bibles. "Many, who are destitute of the Bible express a great desire after this treasure, which desise is increased, when they find it in the possession of others." "I have not a moment's doubt, that here a Society of respectable Clergymen and other pious Christians might be forin ed for the express purpose of spreading the Bible more generally." "I feel the less hesitafion in saying that such a Society might be established, because among the 50 or 60 clergymen in this country, as also among the private gentlemen in Lapponia, several are known to me as men who feel the most lively interest in enlightening the mind, and ameliorating the state and condition, of their fellow-creatures, by faith in Christ. "Permit me now, reverend and dear Sir, to accompany this information with a humble petition to the British and Foreign Bible Society kindly to remember the 50 country parishes in Esthonia, which contain at least 15,000 families, and to assist them with a pecuniary aid, in order tha the whole Bible, or at least a part o. it, may be gratuitously or cheaply distri buted to the many indigent persons who ar at present destitute of this treasure." "In the mean while I shall endeavou to form a Bible Society in our parts; a should it please the British and Forei Bible Society to lend us their generous a in procuring a fund for such an institutio I have not a moment's doubt, that ma gentlemen in our parts would thereby i excited to take an active part in such a be nevolent design." Extract of a Letter from a Clergyman "Before the revolution, I never gave a "There is in general neither a public ago, I had the unexpected pleasure of an paid to them. The mode in which they are distributed is as follows: We generally class the prisoners six in a mess; the most intelligent person of that number has it in charge to make the contents of the book known to his companious, which, I trust, will have the desired effect." emigrant expriest accepting, with thanks, a Parisian New Testament. I wrote him, I should readily offer him a whole Bible, had I any other than a Swiss edition, which might appear to him suspicious, though it was so to none who examined it by the original. He replied, he would thankfully accept it. At last he came to me in person, and also took a German Bible and Extract of a Letter from a respectable Corsome other German books, having learnt German during his emigration. "I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 1st of February, and 11th of March: the first accompanied by a packet containing 20 Testaments in the French language, which have been distributed among the French prisoners at this depôt; and I have the satisfaction of making known, that they have been thankfully received; that to all appearance a very proper use is made of so valuable a gift; and that a further supply, if convenient, will be received by them with gratitude. By your letter of the 11th ult. I have received the packet containing 100 copies of the Gospel of St. Matthew in the Spanish language, which have also been distributed among the Spaniards. They also seem to be grateful for so much attention respondent. "The state of the Highlands of Scotland for want of Bibles in the Gaelic language is very deplorable. Very few families have got a whole Bible; and the number of those who have got one volume does not exceed one in forty, and in many places not so many. Indeed the whole Bible sells at such a price, that very few poor families can have it; nor is it now easily to be procured at any price. "A friend who has every means of ac quiring accurate information on this head, thus writes: With respect to your inquiry about the number of Gaelic Bibles, I am sorry to tell you, that, from any thing I could learn, there are not forty Gaelic Bibles in all the districts through which I have travelled, which, I think, consists of about 700 miles. In Sky alone, where there are about 15,000 souls, there is not one Gaelic Bible; and, till of late, there were not above two schools in all the island. Oh! what multitudes are perish. ing in our native country for lack of knowledge.' "All the Western Islands are nearly in the same deplorable condition." VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. CONTINENTAL INTELLIGENCE. THE aspect of the European Continent has undergone some very material changes since we closed our last number. Our readers will recollect that the French Gazette had officially notified the restoration of peace between France and Russia. Under the depressing influence of this intelligence, the Emperor of Germany yielded to what appeared to him the imperious necessity of his circumstances, and formally renounced his title to the imperial crown of Germany, acknowledging at the same time the confederation of the Rhine. This humiliating instrument had scarcely met the public eye, when the return of a courier from Petersburgh restored the Emperor Alexander to the place which he had held in the esteem of Europe, by announcing his refusal to ratify the treaty concluded by D'Oubril at Paris, both as being disgraceful in itself and injurious to the interests of Europe, and as being contrary to the letter and spirit of his instructions. The treaty has since been published. It contains an acknowledg ment of the validity of all the changes which Bonaparte has effected in the commonwealth of Europe, and an agreement to give up Cattaro, and reduce the Russian force in the Mediterranean to 4,000 men, and to withdraw even these at the bidding of France. The Russian Monarch's refusal to ratify these shameful concessions has been accompanied with the utmost activity in pressing forward his new levies, which, it is said, will raise his armies to |