ignorant of this also. He then explained that the earth is enveloped all round with several layers of hells, and that beyond these there are several stories of heavens enveloping them; hence men from every part of the globe must first cross hell before they can get into heaven. He was going to speak of the bridge which crosses hell, when we were interrupted by other visitors, and he and his pupils went away.

On thinking over other topics, on which the tutor touched incidentally, two attracted my special attention. One is a stain, the other a credit to their religion. I mean revenge and charity. They practice fasting, not merely on account of sin, but in order to know to some extent by experience what the sufferings of the poor are. Hence a Mohammedan beggar is seldom met with (I speak of Shantung). Certainly the collection made by St. Paul in Europe and elsewhere for the poor in Judea, the community of goods among the early Christians, and the forbidding of heaping up riches by the Nestorians who reached China, deserve attention; and whatever there is in Mohammedanism, to remind us of neglected duty, is a message of God to us. On the other hand, in relating the battle at which the above-mentioned Tsai-tai fell, it was evident, as it is throughout the whole of the Saracenic wars, especially the Persian, that the Mohammedan conscience does not know that revenge is sin. To those who are able to appreciate the last six verses of the 5th chapter of Matthew, and that prayer of infinite love breathed by our blessed Saviour, under circumstances of aggravated agony, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," it will appear that Mohammedan moralists have something yet to learn. Meanwhile our labours must abundantly exhibit this love, whilst we pray God that their minds may be speedily enlightened to see the purpose of each revelation; that they may trust in Christ and not in sacrifices for salvation; and that the time may be hastened when they and all the earth shall practice love, even to those by whom they are hated.

Missionary Notes.

In a recent letter, the Rev. R. Bion, of Dacca, expresses the following conviction:-But one thing I feel surer and surer every year, namely, that a harvest is coming which shall overshadow all our toils and self-denials; when our hearts, if not in this world, then in the next, shall be filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory at the marvellous doings of our risen Saviour.

JAPAN.-Read in the light of recent events, the following notice, posted two and a half centuries ago on the walls of a Japanese fort on the Island of Kewsew, has a peculiar interest :-"As long as the sun shall warm the earth, let no Christian be so bold as to come to Japan. And let all know that the king of Spain himself, or the Christian's God, or the great God of all, if He violate this command, shall pay for it with his head."

CONSTANTINOPLE.- The first Christian church in Constantinople was founded in 1846; there are now seventy-six in the Turkish empire, about a third of which are self-supporting and all self-governing. Four "Evangelical Unions" have been formed for mutual counsel and aid; one at Harpoot, in Mesopotamia, of twenty-six churches; another in Southern Asia Minor of twenty-three churches; another in Central Asia Minor of eight churches, and another in Bithynia of eleven churches. Connected with these churches are 3,303 members, and congregations numbering 13,000, with a population of over 18,000 native Protestants.

KO THAH-BYU, the first Karen Christian, was baptized in 1828. There are now three hundred and forty-seven self-supporting churches ainong the Karens.

Of the 2 millions in British Burmah, 23 millions are Buddhists, 36,658 Hindoos, 52,299 Christians, and 99,846 Mohammedans.

Singing the Gospel is a comparatively new method of evangelizing. From Bengal we hear of a "Kurrarpucker Singing Society," which is an interesting example of spontaneous effort on the part of native Christians, and which shows that in the case of races which have the natural gift of music, singing the Gospel may be a most feasible way of spreading it. This little society has been at work for the last three years; they have laboured in twenty or thirty different places, and have seen abundant fruit result from their humble work. Poetry and music have a great power over the Hindu mind.

The Gospel in Japan has, strange to say, made most progress among the wealthier and higher classes. The most of the people are as yet little affected by it. We fancy this fact is unique in the history of Christian Missions.

A son of the last King of Lagos, West Africa, is about to become a missionary to his own people.

THE MISSIONARY

HERALD.

Letters of the

Late John Chamberlain,

Baptist Missionary,

(Hitherto unpublished.)

No. II.

Bristol, November 15th, 1800.

Y DEAR FRIEND,-When I had my last interview with you, your

MY

request was that I would write to you sometimes whilst I was at this place. For some time past I have been thinking that I would write in a few weeks. Yesterday I was informed of an opportunity of sending some letters to Kettering, which I think a favourable opportunity of sending this to you.

is

of

The connection which is formed between your daughter and me has produced a mutual affection between me and you. This, connected with that which arises from our relation to God, our merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, makes us more united, and forms a relation between us which very dear. But concerning what shall I write unto you? "Twill be vain to inform you how I proceed in my studies; Hebrew, Greek, and Latin will be uninteresting; to write concerning myself at this time will not only be painful, but improper. But something I must write. Therefore I proceed to give you a brief account of some exertions for the good poor sinners which have been made in this city since my return. The state of this city, in many respects so blessed with the Gospel, is very deplorable. These distressing times have reduced multitudes into the deepest poverty. Multitudes have brought themselves into the same condition by debauchery, idleness, or drunkenness. In those parts of the eity where the poor chiefly live, numbers of the most pitiable objects are to be seen every day, not having half a sufficiency either of food or raiment. What is more lamentable, very few of these poor creatures know anything of the Way of Life. Last year my mind was affected with a view of their state, but never forced me to make an attempt to preach Jesus Christ among them. While I was in Northamptonshire and Wiltshire, my mind was at times exercised about their pitiable condition; and I could not help thinking that it was my duty to do something for them if possible. After

my return, such thoughts increased, and occasioned me no small trouble of mind. Nobody encouraged me, but my mind was in such a fermenting state as to give me no rest the first Lord's-day I was at liberty. Morning and afternoon I heard, but it was very uncomfortably. It appeared to me a shocking thought that numbers in this city were going into everlasting perdition, while I was here idle, and would not so much as go to warn them to flee from the wrath to come. The more I reflected the heavier it pressed. I thought it would be right to go into those parts of this city where the most abject of the people lived; but the enemy was so busy that he had well-nigh hindered me. I knew not when I went out of our door whether to go to Broadmead or into the city. This extremity was Jehovah's opportunity. He had determined which should be done. A friend met me immediately, and asked me why we were at home all the day idle. Having told him my mind, he prepared to accompany me. Accordingly we went to see how the poor people did; but I had not thought of preaching, nor had I my Eible with me. When we came to them we conversed with them; inquired whether they heard the Word of God; whether it was preached among them; whether they would hear it if it were preached; found some who had heard preaching, some who had not; were informed that they had had preaching for a few times in the street. Scarce one objected to the Gospel. Many said that they wished to hear; told us that they had not apparel in which they might attend a place of worship, but that they would attend if there were preaching in the street. Upon this we told them that there would be preaching in a quarter of an hour, and wished them to let their neighbours know. Having fixed the time and place we preached, conversing with the people, till, by the good hand of God upon us, we came to the house where there had been preaching a few times in the summer. Here we were kindly received by the good man of the house, who is a Wesleyan, and who considered our coming very providential. Having set a chair out in the street before his door, we began with singing. A considerable number of people attended in a short space, and heard the Word of God. After preaching we returned, with this satisfaction-that we had been led by the evident hand of Jehovah. The next Sabbath we went out in the afternoon, and penetrated into the suburbs of the city; found the people willing to hear; preached twice in different places: the people very attentive. Lord's-day following preached in three different places. This day we went out in the morning, and preached in a court in a diverse part of the city. This evening a person came, and wished us to go to her house to have a prayermeeting. The next Lord's-day was wet in the afternoon, which prevented

us from preaching out of doors. Being disappointed at the place where we expected to preach in the evening, we went to this house, and Providence determined that there should be preaching there. Having sent round to tell the people, we began, and had a considerable number. At this, as well as at all other places, we were desired to come again. I could but hope that the Lord had procured this house for a refuge in winter, and so it appears. We have preached in it every evening since, and on Lord's-day afternoons, and hold a prayer-meeting and a school every Wednesday evening. The school begins at seven and continues till eight, then the prayer-meeting begins. Many people and children attend con stantly, and hear the Word with great seriousness. October 12th was the

last time we attempted to preach out of doors. I have seen the poo people weep when they were told that we did not expect another oppor tunity to preach out of doors till the next season. I consider this preachin in the streets and the lanes of the city as casting bread upon the waters, which will be seen again after many days. Two brethren now accompany me, and all seem united in the work. We have two places to attend-one at one side of the city, the other at the other. At each we pay particular attention to the children, and have a pleasing prospect. We have purchased a considerable number of Dr. Watts' hymns for children, which they learn with great eagerness and seem to be delighted with singing. At one place we preach twice on the Sabbath, and attend the children at the other once. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings we are employed in this work. O may it lead to the glory of God the Father, through the redemption of His dear Son! The people in general are poor; but this is no obstacle in the way of Divine influence. Without this, the wealthy will be exceedingly poor; with this, the poor will be indescribably rich. Rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom. O, how charming! I am always most comfortable among the poor, and often think that I had rather spend my life among them, in the midst of worldly trials, than be among the rich, flattered with the abundance of this world. I fear that they are too much neglected. A fine meeting-house and a genteel congregation lays a minister liable to a very great temptation. Our Blessed Lord preached the Gospel to the poor. I sometimes think that if he were to come into our world again, many of us would be either very ashamed of Him, or be exceedingly put to the blush by Him. But He hath left us an example that we should tread in His steps. In this part of the city, where we have the best prospects, things are very deplorable. Perhaps there are 10,000 inhabitants, the major part of whom do not hear the Gospel. Indeed, there is scarce a place of worship among them where