than 800 seamen called on one of the Officers of the New-York Society, either to converse on religious subjects, to take leave of him, or to solicit Bibles. We have the greater pleasure in recording these facts, because we have lately seen, with grief and indignation, a passage in a Work entitled "A Voyage to the South Seas, by Captain David Porter, of the American Frigate, the Essex," which shews the writer to be utterly unfit to be entrusted with the command of the Seamen of a Christian Government. Our Readers shall judge for themselves. In March 1813, the Essex first arrived at Valparaiso, on the cruise in the Pacific; in which she was taken, in February of the following year, off the same port, by the Phoebe, Captain Hillyar. On his first arrival at Valparaiso, Captain Porter disgraces his narrative by the following passage : As the next day was Sunday, and we all required some relaxation from our fatigues, I determined to devote it to pleasure; and invited the Ladies and Gentlemen of Valparaiso to spend the afternoon on board the ship;-all, as well as ourselves, being previously engaged for the evening at a Ball, at the house of Mr. Blanquo, the Vice-Consul. The Spaniards, and particularly Catholics, do not, like the people of Protestant Countries, spend their Sabbath in penance and prayer, but in feasting and dancing: and although a good Catholic would consider himself lost if he neglected Confession, or tasted meat dur. ing Lent, yet he is above the vulgar Protestant prejudice of devoting one whole day in each week to the worship of the Almighty, when he has it in his power to spend it so much more agree. ably in amusement. On Sunday, we all laid aside our national and religious prejudices, and devoted ourselves entirely to the pleasures of the day. The Christians of the United States have read this passage, we have no doubt, with as much indignation as ourselves; but we can venture to assure them, that if any Naval Officer of this country could have brought himself thus to offend public decency, he would have met with merited degradation. If, indeed, the American Navy is exposed to the contaminating influence of such Officers, there is the greater reason for Christians to bestir themselves, in order to fortify the minds of the seamen against such contagion; and blessed beyond estimation will that Society be, which shall become the means of imbuing hundreds and thousands of them with the saving knowledge of God's Holy Word! The Board give the following general view of the state of the Society : The pressure of the times has not ceased, particularly in the Western States: perhaps, in some districts of the country, pecuniary difficulties have become more numerous than at the time of the last Report. Yet the sales of Bibles and Testaments from the Depository have been greater than ever, during the past year; and the Treasurer's statement will shew that the receipts of the Society, and the liberality of the community in its favour, have augmented. Rejoicing in the support of their fellow-citizens and in the blessing of God, the Board have prosecuted their work with unabated zeal. They have felt the influence of the truths of the Bible on their own hearts: they have found that the bonds of Christian Charity grow stronger, while the union of Christian Efforts continues: they have heard, month after month, of new Auxiliaries to strengthen the Parent Society, and to furnish the Scriptures to the destitute: and they have been cheered with repeated accounts of the benefits resulting from the diffusion of the Sacred Volume. Thus influenced and encouraged, they have persevered in their labours of love; entertaining mutual confidence, and engaging in their deliberations and adopting their measures with uninter rupted harmony. BOARD OF MISSIONS. Thirteenth Anniversary. On the 12th and 13th of September, this Anniversary was held in the Philosophical Chamber of Yale College, at New Haven. On the 12th, the Board adjourned their business, that the Members might attend the Ordination of Messrs. Richards and Bishop for the Sandwich Mission, and of Mr. Goodell for the Palestine. In the evening of that day, the Rev. Dr. Proudfit preached the Annual Sermon, from Mal. i. 11. Jeremiah Evarts, Esq. late Treasurer of the Board, was appointed Corresponding Secretary; and Henry Hill, Esq. Treasurer. It was appointed that the Fourteenth Anniversary should be held at Boston, on the Third Wednesday in September next;-the Rev. Dr. of Moore to preach; and, in case his failure, the Rev. President Day. State of the Funas. The Receipts of the year ending August 31st, were 61,237 dollars; of which about 1800 were for interest, &c., and the rest contributions in money. The Payments were, in round numbers, as follows: Dollars. 2090 9884 Completion of the Western-Asia Printing The opening of a Fund for the maintenance of a Printing Establishment for Western Asia, was stated at pp. 214 and 215 of our Volume for 1821. The subscription intended was 3000 dollars per an num, for five years; and was filled Our Readers were apprised in the Survey, that permission had been given to the Missionaries to established a Press in Malta. Dedication of Land to the support of On former occasions (see pp. 285 and 286 of the Volume for 1816, and pp. 120 and 121 of that for 1821) we have noticed a plan of some Farmers, who are friendly to the Society, in the formation and maintenance of a Flock of Sheep for its benefit. Some other persons of the same class have lately set apart 6 portion of land, amounting to acres, which they cultivate at their own expense, devoting the net proceeds in aid of the Society's Funds. The success of this measure has exceeded the expectation of these benevolent agriculturists. They write to the Board : Most Farmers have more land than they can cultivate; and such as feel at all interested in the diffusion of Christian Truth, would readily give the use of an acre or two a-year for so important an object. Many would willingly contribute to prepare and cultivate the land, and to furnish teams and implements of husbandry. To some of the proprietors from whom land was obtained, we expected to pay one half its value: but the unexpected crops sent them by a bountiful Providence were considered as a full compensation; and they declined We canreceiving any thing from us. not therefore help indulging the hope, that this example will be followed by many; and that, in this and in similar ways, many thousands will be added to the funds already devoted to carry to our dying fellow-mortals the good news of life and salvation. The Board remark on this communication: It is not to be doubted, that if some enterprising Friend of Missions in each Its results here country village or neighbourhood would taken in 1821. New Hampshire. North Carolina Georgia Alabama Mississippi Louisiana Missouri 66,586 Indiana Illinois POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. The Fourth Census of the Population of the United States was Recent Miscellaneous Entelligence. Baptist Missionary Society. Mr. James Colman, who was settling in Arracan (see p.35 of the Survey), fell a victim, on the 4th of July, to the disease denominated the "Jungle Fever." Mr. John Harle, whose relinquishment of his connection with the London Missionary Society was stated at p. 38 of the Survey, died on the 12th of August. He had been resident in India some years, when, in 1817, he became an Assistant to the late Mr. May at Chinsurah. Having latterly changed his opinions with respect to baptism, he was baptized by the Baptist Missionaries, and joined their Society. Church Missionary Society. Died at Madras, Aug. 14, Edward Uhthoff, Esq. of the Company's Civil Service, and a Member of the Society's Corresponding Committee, in the 28th year of his age. Mrs. Johnson continuing in a declining state, Mr. Johnson has been authorized, on his urgent request, to re-visit this country from Sierra Leone, during the Rains of this summer. The Rev. Henry Williams and his family arrived at Rio Janeiro, in their way to New Zealand, on board the Lord Sidmouth, all well, on Sunday, Nov. 17th. Mr. Williams had been assiduously employed in the instruction of the Female Convicts on board: he had found, much difficulty in bringing some of them into order: but, at the time he wrote, all treated him with respect; and he had hopes, that, on leaving Rio, he should be able to bring them ge nerally under daily instruction. London Missionary Society. Mr. Thomas Brown, who was proceeding from Calcutta to Madras in order to superintend the Printing Office at Bellary (see p. 49 of the Survey), died at sea. Mrs. Brown and their Children have returned to England. On the 2d of August, Mr. Thomas Nicholson, after suffering most acutely from the spasmodic cholera for six hours, departed to his rest, leaving a Widow and two Children. Among the short sentences which fell from him during his sufferings, he was heard to exclaim, "Heaven-after all this!" His loss is greatly deplored, as be was just becoming an efficient instru ment of good among the Natives. Mrs. Townley's health requiring her return to England, Mr. Townley, it is expected, will accompany her; but purposes, on her recovery, to resume his labours in India. Mr. Jeffreys, with Mrs. Jeffreys and the Four Artisans, (see p. 18 of the Survey,) left Tamatave, in Madagascar, on the 21st of May, and reached the capital on the 9th of June, where they were cordially received by the King. Mr. Thomas Brookes, one of the artisans, was taken ill on the day of their arrival: he lingered till the 24th, when he departed in peace, to the great regret of all who knew him he was a very skilful artisan. Africaner, once the terror of all around him in South Africa, and his Son, have both died in the Faith of the Gospel. Younker, the pious Grandson of Africauer, thus writes to Mr. Moffat, who was formerly the Teacher to whom the Young Man alludes My Grandfather, old Africaner, has left me, and died in the Lord: also my dear Father, Christian Africaner, the Chief, has left me, and died in the Lord. I have lost my Grandfather, my Father, and my Teacher, thus I am deprived of parents. Mr. Moffat adds, in reference to the aged Chief I feel as if deprived of a near relation; especially when I call to mind the many happy hours which I spent in his company, performing the delightful task of infusing into his growing understanding the Doctrines of Redemption. The Directors, for the more convenient despatch of the Society's business, have taken a house in Austin Friars. The Museum, at the present Rooms, will close on Saturday, the 15th of March; and, after the 24th of March, all communications are to be addressed to the "Mission House, Austin Friars, London." Notice will be given when the Museum will be opened on the new premises. Scottish Missionary Society. A Deputation, consisting of the Rev. James Thomson of Dundee and the Rev. W. Brash of Glasgow, have visited London on behalf of the Society, and preached in various Places of Worship. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Anniversary of the Society was held. The On Friday, the 21st of February, the Sermon was preached by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Bristol, at the Church of St. Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside, from Matt. vii. 28, 29. The Annual Meeting was afterward held, as usual, in the large Vestry of the Church. Wesleyan Missionary Society. Messrs. Davies and Maggs, who had been appointed to St. Kitt's, and Mr. Tre mayne who was to proceed to Jamaica, were dismissed to their labours at KingStreet Chapel, Bristol, on Monday the 6th of January. India Deputations from the British and Foreign Bible Society, and from the Church, Baptist, and London Missionary Societies, have waited on the Right Hon. Lord Amherst, proceeding as Governor-General to and views of their respective Societies, and India, to state to His Lordship the objects to present to him copies of their Proceedings. The Rev. Reginald Heber, M.A. some time Fellow of All-Souls College, Rector Asaph, and Preacher to the Hon. Society of Hodnet in Shropshire, Canon of St. of Lincoln's Inn, has been appointed Bishop of Calcutta. In a Convocation, Degree of Doctor in Divinity, by Diploma, held on Monday the 13th of February, the was conferred on Mr. Heber by the Uni. versity of Oxford. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY, Present. Burton, Mrs., Aylesbury Street, 6 8 0. 3 6 0 Cartwright, Rev. Mr., Freiston, 10 o Davis, Mess, from Norton} Folgate Sunday School Everard, Mrs. Jane, Crowland 2 13 0 157 2 12 3 12 0 2. 12 0 Grey, Miss Harriet, Portsmouth, 3 11 6 - Lake, Rev.E. (School Fund sl.)} Worcester Lamb, Mrs., Stretton Landon, Miss, Aberford. 5 0 2500- 238 12 3 Lea, MrJohnJun.Kidderminster, 12 0 0. Malpas, Mrs. and Miss E. Knightsbridge Matthews, Mrs., Colmworth,} Beds 540 370. Murray, Miss, Chelsea 200 -19 10 0 659 26 0 0 26 9 0 370 24 9 11 32 6 23 0 0 234 0 Savage, Mrs., Surbiton Lodge 14 0 0. 54 7 6 0- 21 10 7 0 24 00 1 110 4 11 10 211 10 7 79 12 14 In the hurry of getting the last sheet of the Survey to press, pages 78 & 79 were transposed: the error was not discovered till 8000 copies had been worked off; but, as the two pages open opposite to each other, it has probably been noticed by most of our Readers. We are requested to supply some omissions in the List of Contributions at the end of the last Report of the Church Missionary Society. Under the head of Kent, at Bromley and Beckenham, a Benefaction of 107, and an Annual Subscription of 27. by Mrs. Kirkpatriek, should have been printed; and under Warwickshire, at Coventry, 657. 05. 34, as the sum total of Contributions, is right, but the name of "Mr. Goode 27." is omitted. |