ment of all the promises of God respecting the "glory that was to follow" the sufferings of Christ.

Your attempts have met with some reverses, particularly in the much lamented death of Brother Wheelock, but some Burmans have been converted and baptized. A footing, I trust, has been gained, and a commencement made, which will ultimately lead to the conquest of the Burman nation to our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am especially gratified with the attempts our American brethren are making to spread the gospel among the western Indians; I hope this will be persevered in, and that a growing interest for their conversion to the Redeemer will prevail. That field is exclusively yours, and I doubt not but you will feel the importance of cultivating it well. Give them the scriptures. Preach the gospel to them. Establish schools among them. "In the end ye shall reap if ye faint not."

Generally speaking, the gospel spreads on all sides in India, and circumstances are continually occurring, which must fill every heart with joy. Men are converted from the service of idols, and brought to the service of the true God. Institutions are formed for benevolent purposes, and meet with support surpassing our most sanguine expectations. Surely this is the hand of God.

We have lately been much impressed with the idea, that if ever the gospel has free course, it must be by the labours of those who are natives of the countries where it is published. This hath hitherto been the case in every country, and we must expect that it will always be so. We have, therefore, been desirous before our death to establish a College for the education of the natives, and especially of native Chris tians. The funds wanted will be considerable, but we have always found the Lord better than our expectations, and are encouraged to

W. CAREY.

SPEECH OF WILBERFORCE.

WE feel much pleasure in being able to lay before our readers some extracts from a speech delivered at the late Anniversary of the Bath Church Missionary Association, by that distinguished friend of Missions, William Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. We insert them, not merely on account of the tribute of affectionate respect paid to our venerable friend Dr. Carey, but in the hope that good will result from the diffusion of those excellent and impressive sentiments contained in the concluding part of the extract, earnestly recommend them to the serious attention of our readers. We hope they will excuse us for adding, that if they should be acted upon by all who peruse our pages, the pecuniary difficulties of the Mission would instantly

vanish.

We

[Ed. Eng. Bap. Mag.

"I CANNOT look at India without peculiar delight: there we see the god of this world, having entrenched himself as it were within a line of circumvallation, having marked the territory as his peculiar domain, having drawn around him fences and barriers against the admission of heavenly light; and thus surrounded and intrenched, he seemed to bid defiance almost to the God of Love himself-triumphing both over the understandings and the hearts of his wretched victims, gaining a victory even over the instincts of our own common nature

for there, Sir, children were seen, not to support their aged parents, but to destroy them there, even the

things were going on; and going on, too, without exciting even a sentiment of disapprobation, or any feeling of revolt. But what a change do we now begin to witness even in that region which the god of this world seemed to have appropriated to himself! That chosen region has become as it were the arena of a grand and decisive conflict: there we now find the gleams of light beginning to penetrate in what was a wilderness, (nay, a million times worse than a wilderness ;) symptoms of vegetation now begin to appear; and the desert begins to bloom and blossom like the rose, and exhibits every where freshness, fertility, and beauty.

"It happens here, also, that in the means used in effecting this great work, we see the marks of the Divine Hand. It would have been natural for us to expect that it would have been achieved in a very different way, by the united efforts of many religious Societies; but, in fact, we find these great effects to have been principally ow ing, hitherto, to the exertions of one, and that, in its origin at least, not the most rich or powerful; and one of its brightest and most useful ornaments a poor ignorant mechanic (I allude to Dr. Carey.) We see him, rising from that poverty and that ignorance to a degree of knowledge, and then to a degree of usefulness, which was scarcely ever before attained amongst the sons of men. When I see this, I seem to see a second time the god of this world foiled by the weapons of the Spirit; I seem to see an exemplification of that text, that the weakness of God is stronger than men, and the foolishness of God is wiser than men.' I see this giant Goliath vanquished by a peasant child with a sling and a stone, seeing, as I do,

Dr. Carey, from his knowledge and skill in the Asiatic languages, affording the greatest and most valuable assistance to the cause of Christianity, and rendered an instrument of diffusing perhaps ultimately more happiness than any of the sons of men who have been most distinguished as the benefactors of our species

"There is one consideration on this subject which I would beg to propose. I think mankind, in their way of viewing it, are apt to consider the support of Missions as if they had an OPTION in the case. Now I must frankly state, that, not to do to the very utmost of our power, both in substance and influence, and in every possible way to assist this cause, is to be wanting in our DUTY. And it appears to me, that if we could see before our eyes, the cruel prac tices which still prevail in India (if I say less about Africa, it will not be thought that I think less,) I am persuaded that it would overcome the reluctance of any person who is unwilling to allow that it is our duty to do the best we can for the conversion of the Heathen. I am persuaded that this reluctance can only arise from these things being removed from our perception. It is because we do not witness these things, that we are slow in believing them. I said it was the duty of every one to do his very utmost in this cause; and I said this the rather, because we may urge that principle which is sanctioned by Divine Wisdom and Goodness, that it is not the amount of what is given, but the motive in every thing that is regarded by Almighty God. That thirty shillings, Sir William, which was given by that poor blind girl, of whom my friend told us, is a donation which I doubt not will occupy a principal place in the treasury of God. By Him, things are valued according to their true worth. By Him, I doubt not, that poor girl's contribution will be equally rewarded (might I not say more) than

the princely donations of the rich est benefactor. Oh Sir! when we look still farther-when we look forward to those scenes when all the distinctions which prevail here shall be done away; when things shall assume their true colour and proper size; then only shall we es timate them according to their real worth. Why, Sir, to me it is a delight, that the poor are not exclud ed from contributing to these great and good objects; that the Almighty has given them the means of benefiting their fellow creatures: and I confess I know nothing that has ever struck my mind as more base and narrow, than under the pretence of sparing them their little subscriptions, to deprive them of this privilege, and thus, under the plea of kindness, to degrade them below that level which the common Parent of us all meant that they should occupy-to defraud them of the power of doing good to their fellow creatures on the contrary, Sir, when they give according to their means, they assume the true dignity of their nature. Let all our exertions then be worthy of the cause in which we are engaged. And in truth, Sir, both you and I feel, it is with the more peculiar pleasure that we attend on occasions of this kind, because we can engage in them with such unmixed confidence and delight. It too of ten happens that even the path of duty is painful and dubious, and calls forth conflicting feelings; but, blessed be God, the path in which we now tread, is one in which we can go forward with freedom; find in it present peace and joy, with the assurance that it will conduct to happiness and glory. Thus we al ways find that Christianity scatters blessings on every side of her, in her progress from this world to another. In promoting such a cause, shall we be slothful or lukewarm in our efforts? Oh Sir! in that world to which I have just alluded, how Janguid will our warmest zeal ap,

pear, how unworthy our most stren⚫ uous exertions! Let us then go forward with increased earnestness, humbly assured that that same gracious Being who has hitherto so remarkably blessed us, will give still greater and better blessings, till at length all the poor wretched heathen shall be cheered with the knowl. edge of salvation, and we all, as the children of one common Parent, shall rejoice together."

[The following is the remarkable faci alluded to by Mr. Wilberforce in the previous page.]

LIBERALITY OF A POOR BLIND GIRL (From the London Missionary Register.)

A BLIND girl brought to a clergyman thirty shillings, for the Missionaries of the Society. The clergyman, surprised that she should offer him so large a sum, said to her, "You are a poor blind girl, you cannot afford to give thirty shillings to the Society." the Society." "I am indeed, Sir," said she, "as you may see, a blind girl; but not so poor, perhaps, as you may suppose me to be; and I think I can prove to you, that I can better afford to give these thirty shillings, than those girls can who have eyes." The clergyman was, of course, very much struck with her answer, and said, "I should be glad to know how you make that out." "Sir," she answered, “I am a basket maker; and being blind, I can make baskets as well in the dark as in the light. Now I am sure, Sir, in the last dark winter, it must have cost those girls that have eyes more than thirty shillings to buy candles to see to make baskets; and so I think I have proved that I can afford this money, and now I hope that you will take it all for the Missionaries."

Whose heart is not moved by such an instance of exalted Christian charity!

For the American Baptist Magazine.

Rev. and dear Sir,

I FORMERLY Wrote you from Middletown, Vermont. I lived in love and peace with that dear people almost 28 years, during which time we enjoyed four happy revivals. At length, several circumstances induced me to believe that it was my duty to remove to some ether part of the vineyard of our Lord. We parted in love and peace. The separation was truly painful to both pastor and people.

I came to this place, and commenced my labours, January 1, 1818. The Church and Society were in a languishing state from various causes. I seemed to find myself in a wide missionary field. My labours were much solicited. Three or four lectures in a week would not supply the numerous calls. Previously to last winter, we had some little refreshings, and some small neighbourhood revivals, during which time fifty-one were added to this church; twenty-six by baptism, the rest by letter.

The year past, there has appeared among Christians of various denominations, an unusual spirit of prayer for a revival of religion.

The fore part of last winter we had some trials in the church. Public worship was but thinly attended; and, among the people of the world, balls, parties, and sleigh rides, seemed to be the order of the day.

Re

At length, God, who is rich in mercy, began a good work among us. ligious meetings were crowded. All denominations flocked to the same conferences, and used freedom. Such a measure of love and union between different denominations I never witnessed before.

On the 18th of last February, persons began to come forward for baptism; and for fourteen sabbaths successively I went into the water to baptize. Several of those baptizing seasons were truly interesting. Some of the candidates went into the water confessing they were great sinners, but hoped in the death and resurrection of the Saviour, whose burial and resurrection they recognized in the sacred ordinance."

Some went into the

N. Y.

water exhorting; some said, "this is the way the Saviour went." Some went in blessing and praising God, and some went in singing. And it was no uncommon thing, when raised out of the water, for them to exclaim, "Glory to God!" (which was sometimes reiterated from the shore) and to come up out of the water rejoicing, and magnifying the riches of divine grace; while the multitude who witnessed the solemn and affecting scene were bathed in tears. Since the work commenced, I have baptized seventy-six. Two more stand candidates for the ordinance, and more are expected soon. Some have joined by letter,

and some backsliders have returned. Our whole addition in this work is eighty-four. Total addition since I came to this place is one hundred and thirty-five, among whom are many youths and children. About sixty have joined the Presbyterian church. Their minister has baptized near a dozen in the waters of our Jordan. Several times both congregations met at the same place for baptism. From this, or from some other cause, the sacred rite has escaped that opposition and opprobrium which it has often sustained.

At present, through reigning grace, much love and peace prevail in this church. And notwithstanding we are abundantly saluted with, lo here! and lo there! yet the distinguishing doctrines of grace are cheerfully received by this church. The good work seems near its termination, but the conferences remain harmonious and edifying, although made up of different orders of Christians.

In Brutus, (five miles west of us) the work has been greater than in this place, Brother Twiss has baptized as many, or more than I have, and they are still coming forward. Many also have joined the Presbyterians in that place. In other places the work is commencing. May the Lord in mercy spread it far and wide.

I subscribe yours,

in a divine Redeemer, SILVANUS HAYNES.

EVANGELICAL TRACT SOCIETY.

THE annual meeting of this Society for the choice of Officers, and the transaction of business, was holden at the house of Mr E. Lincoln, on Tuesday, May 28, at 4 o'clock, P. M. In the

evening, Rev. Joseph Torrey, of Pembroke, preached with much acceptance before the Society, from 2 Cor. ix. 15. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. At the close of this service the usual contribution was made, to assist the Society in distributing Tracts among the poor and destitute.

BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF

MASSACHUSETTS.

ON Wednesday, May 29, this Society held its nineteenth anniversary in the First Baptist Meeting-House in Boston. Rev. Ebenezer Nelson, of Malden, delivered an excellent sermon from 2 Tim.

i. 7. God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. At the close of this religious service, the business of the Society was introduced with prayer, by Rev. S. Gano, of Providence. The CL Reports" of the Secretary and Treasurer were read and accepted; and the meeting was made peculiarly interesting and pleasant by addresses from several ministering brethren.

The following persons were chosen Officers and Trustees of this Society for the ensuing year:—

Rev. THOMAS BALDWIN, D. D. President.
Rev. JOSEPH GRAFTON, Vice-President.
Rev. DANIEL SHARP, Secretary.
Mr. ENSIGN LINCOLN, Treasure"

Christianity. This communication is the substance of a narrative drawn up by Mr. Surgon himself, at the time of his baptism. With the exception of a few verbal alterations, I preserve the original form, as both more natural, and more likely to prove useful.

"I was born," says he, "of Jewish parents, at Cochin, on the coast of Malabar, the year 1795. I was educated in our Hebrew school there, under the care of my parents, who also had me taught English, (an English school being kept in the place by a Serjeant.) When I was about thirteen years of age, I was removed from school and put to a business, at which I continued some years. In the year 1811, I left Cochin on a visit to my aunt and uncle, who lived at Pondicherry, with whom I remained till the latter part of the year 1816. At this period my uncle, John Benjamin, received a letter from Mr. Jarret, inviting me to come to Madras to live with him. My uncle not being willing that I should accept of this offer, was some time before he shewed it to me. At length he did so, when I gladly accepted of the invitation, and came to this happy place,

Madras.

"After my arrival in Madras, Mr. Jarret frequently conversed with me respecting the prophecies, of which he was so kind as to give me some explanation. The Christians in Cochin, the place of my nativity, being Roman Catholics, I conceived from their mode of worship that all Christians were a kind of idolaters. This prevented me from acceding to the truth, that the Messiah is already come, and that it is in vain to look for another,' when Mr. Jarret began to point out the accomplishment of the prophecies in the person and character of Jesus Christ.

After some time, I requested Mr. Jarret to take me along with him to the English church. Here I was disappointed in seeing no images, and quite surprised to find the forms of worship as different from those of the Roman Catholic, as light from darkness.' I found likewise that the bible, psalmis, and prayers were read, as in the Synagogue, and that the only difference was the preaching from

the New Testament as well as the Old.

"When I had seen all this, and understood a little of the preaching, I requested Mr. Jarret to favour me with some books, which he was kind enough to do, I then began to read and reflect on the prophecies. In a short time a conviction arose in my mind that the Messiah had actually appeared in the person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; and that the prayers I used to offer up daily for his