Can a writer, who, in treating of the rapid diffusion of Christianity, omits all notice of the divine influence, and ascribes it to secondary causes, be a suitable historian of missions? Even Gibbon, though he labors to represent the triumphs of the cross as the result of peculiar and propitious circumstances, does not omit to mention the divine agency. Our author, indeed, goes farther, and by unavoidable inference, denies the fact of any divine influence in the diffusion of Christianity. Speaking of the difficulties which oppose modern missions, he says, (p. 123) for this reason, many have indeed, believed that Christianity was propagated, in the first ages, by supernatural means, and that a divine power supported its first preachers.' This will be thought, we suppose, sufficiently significant. The spirit of the author appears further in the fact, that he does not speak of the heathen as in a guilty and lost condition, and needing the Gospel as the only instrument of their salvation. He says much of the influence of Christianity to elevate their minds, and purify their morals, and improve their civil and social condition; but he does not insist on the necessity of the Gospel to save their souls. He speaks of Christianity as a better religion,' than the abominable idolatries of the heathen. (page 118.) But we have said enough to show, that such a writer cannot do justice to such a theine. We will now take notice of a few errors in his statements of facts. And these we shall seek in those parts of his book to which we first referred, on opening it, with the hope of obtaining some valuable information. Speaking of Rangoon, he says: 'Hither Messrs Judson and Felix Carey, the latter a physician, were sent as the first Protestant Missionaries, in 1807, by the American Baptist Society.' Here are several errors. Mr Carey was not sent by the American Baptist Society, which did not exist till seven years after. He and Mr Chater were the first Protestant Missionaries, and were sent by the English Baptist Missionary Society. Mr Judson did not arrive in Rangoon till 1813. They commenced their labors,' says the author, by translating the Sacred Scriptures into Burman, and into the languages of Pegu and Siam.' Mr Carey translated a small part of the New Testament into Burman; but neither he, nor Mr Judson, commenced his labors by translating. They were employed for several years in acquiring the language. Translations of only a small part of the Bible have yet, we believe, been made by our Missionaries into the languages of Pegu and Siam. The Emperor subsequently (in 1813) granted them permission to establish a press at Ava, for printing their Bibles.' No press was ever established at Ava; and the Bible has not yet been translated, except the New Testament. Dr Judson is now engaged in translating the Old Testament. 'In August, 1826,' says the author, 'types had arrived from England at Columbo, in Ceylon, for the purpose of printing the New Testament in the Palee, which is the written language of the Burman Empire.' The Palee, or Pali, is precisely as much the 'writ ten language of the Burman Empire,' as the Hebrew or the Greek is the written language of the United States. The sacred books of the Burmans are written in the Pali, which is, therefore, studied and understood by the learned and by the priests; but the common Burman is a distinct language, and is written in a different character. Other errors might be pointed out in the account of Burmah. The missionary establishment at Serampore is mentioned in a paragraph of ten lines. Here,' it is said, 'English Baptist Missionaries have been assiduously laboring since 1799.' From this statement it would be inferred, that no efforts were made in India, by the English Baptists, until 1799; but Dr Thomas went to India in 1783, and Dr Carey in 1793, and labored in Bengal, until the missionary establishment was removed to Serampore, in 1799. The author says: "The Americans established in 1912, a Society for Foreign Missions, which has sent out messengers of salvation to the islands of East and South India.' He probably refers to the American Board of Commissioners; but this was formed in 1810. These citations are sufficient to show, that the author's statements cannot be implicitly relied on; and it is worse than a waste of time to read a book, if its facts cannot be credited without a constant suspicion of inaccuracy. The writer appears, however, to be a sincere friend of missions; and we hope that his book, objectionable as it is, may have some effect to awaken others to a right state of feeling and of action in reference to the great cause of God. FOR FEBRUARY, 1829. INDIAN TRIBES. THE subject of locating the Tribes of Indians on lands west of the Mississippi has recently attracted much attention. Our readers have, generally, been made acquainted with the plan exhibited by Mr. M'Coy, which has been laid before the Government of the United States. Mr. M'Coy, accompanied by a number of Chiefs, has been exploring the country, and appears, from his communications, to be much encouraged with the prospect. While waiting the arrival of the Southern Indians, he made an excursion west of the State of Missouri. We select the following extracts from a letter addressed to Dr. Bolles, the Corresponding Secretary, descriptive of this journey: Madison County, Illinois, 30 miles Rev. and dear Sir, On leaving the State of Missouri, we went westwardly up the Osage river, chiefly on the north side to its source-then bore southwestwardly across the upper branches of Nesho, until we reached the main river-then turned northwest about twenty-five miles, and intersected the Santa-Fe road, sixty miles from Arkansaw river, and about four hundred and sixty miles from St. Louis. We then travelled north-east to the upper village of the Kanzas Indians, on Kanzas river, 120 miles on a direct line west of the State of Missouri-thence journeyed east wardly to the mouth of Kanzas river, and there took the most direct road to St. Louis, at which place I arrived the 7th inst.-the 50th day from leaving. I was favored with health and fine weather-the whole company were mercifully preserved from accident and harm: And our Indians were well pleased with their tour. We explored a beautiful countryhigh, rich, and apparently healthy-too scarce of wood, yet sufficiently supplied to meet the wants of a considera ble population. We suffered no inconvenience from want of water, though mill streams, like those in Missouri, fail in the more dry seasons of the year. We came in contact with Osages, Kanzas, Pawnees, and Shawnees, by all of whom we were treated with great friendship. The Chickasaws and Choctaws have sent word that they will come this fall. We have fitted out our Putawatomies and Ottawas, and sent them home. The objects of the expedition, in relation to them, are accomplished, and they are carrying home to their people feelings and views which promise a favorable result. I expect to return to-morrow to St. Louis, to await the arrival of the Southern Indians, and should they come, to make another tour in the west. Should they not come this fall, the expedition will be completed, I trust, early the next season. With great respect, Sir, your faithful servant, ISAAC M'COY. CAREY STATION. The last communication received by the Secretary, dated Dec. 16, 1828, of a religious nature at this station, presents some encouraging prospects among which, it is stated, that one candidate for baptism is anxiously waiting an opportunity to follow Christ in that ordinance, and that another, one of the hired persons, is awakened to deep solicitude on the great concerns of the soul. But the subject of removal, which is under consideration by the Indians, must necessarily engross much of their attention, and for a time embarrass missionary operations. CHICKASAWS. MR HOLMES, Oct. 13, 1828, writes from Tokshish, Four colored persons, who gave satisfactory evidence of a change of heart, were admitted to the privileges of the church. The Spirit of God has appeared to be in a very special manner present, arresting the attention of sinners, and exciting Christians to pray with unusual fervency. The Nation has recently formed some wholesome laws, and, to our astonishment, they are all strictly enforced. Whiskey is banished from the country. A thief is punished with thirty-nine lashes. One hundred men (twenty-five out of each district) are to carry the laws into execution.' [Miss. Herald. AMERICAN BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS. [From the Missionary Herald for January, we select the following particulars:] The receipts of the Board during the year, ending the 1st of September, were $102009,64; the expenditure for the same period, $107676,25, besides $2616,49 paid for expenses of the printing establishment at Malta, from the fund specially devoted to that object by the donors. An efficient means of raising funds is by organizing the friends of missions into associations, and by combining these associations in Auxiliary Societies; and such progress has been made in this effort, that the Board has organized 1,471 Associations, which constitute 69 Auxiliary Societies, scattered through sixteen States of the Union, and from these Auxiliaries $48879,87 were paid into the treasury. Of the Missionary Herald, 15,000 copies were printed the last year. At the Station in Bombay, the edition of the New Testament, translated by the Missionaries, and printed at the Mission press, in 1826, was soon exhausted, and a second edition commenced. More than 60,000 copies of school books, tracts, &c. were published in the Mahratta language in one year, for the use of the Mission, and 8,000 for the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. At this Station there are 24 Schools, containing 1,499 boys, and 86 girls, for the encouragement of which, gentlemen in Bombay subscribed 900 dollars. CEYLON. The whole number of church members gathered from among the heathen at this Station is 120. Just one hundred were alive and in good standing, 24th of Jan. last. The young members of the church are stated to have preserved as fair a religious character, and exhibited as lively proofs of piety, as would have been expected from the same number of youthful converts in the United States. The number of regular attendants in the congregations is increasing. Here are 93 free schools, where 4,518 children are instructed: a school preparatory to the Mission Seminary, containing 102 scholars; and the Mission Seminary, to qualify promising native youths to become preachers, &c. containing 67 students. A press is here in successful operation. ISLAND OF MALTA. An extensive printing establishment is in operation at Malta, which is found to be favorably situated to exert an influence around the Mediterranean. The whole number of copies of the different books published at Malta, exceeds 128,000. The Four Gospels and several other works of considerable length have been translated and prepared for the press by the Missionaries in Turkish Armenian. SANDWICH ISLANDS. The number of converts connected with the mission churches, is eightysix, including many distinguished chiefs. Some of the congregations which assemble for worship consist of two or three thousand; and at many places, when no missionary is present, public worship is conducted by the natives. The number of pupils in all the schools was estimated at 26,000 in June last. Numerous editions of School Books have been printed, and an edition of 10,000 copies of the Gospel of Luke is in press. One great impediment to the progress of the Gospel at these islands, which cannot fail deeply to be deplored, arises from the opposition of foreign seamen and residents. AMERICAN INDIAN STATIONS. The American Board have Mission Stations among the Cherokees, Chickasaws, and various other tribes. There are one hundred and fifty-nine persons connected with the churches among the Cherokees, and at most of the Stations, there has been, the last year, an unusual attention to religion. Among the other tribes, where Missions are established, churches are gathered, schools are commenced, and there are various indications of improvement in civilization and morals. The extensive Missionary Establishments of the Board comprise 46 Stations, 43 ordained Missionaries, 523 native members in the churches, about 33,000 scholars in the various schools, and 7 printing presses. On the 30th of March, the twenty persons, who last sailed to join the Missionaries at the Sandwich Islands, arrived at Oahu, in the Parthian. They were welcomed by their Missionary friends, and by the natives. The Missionaries, in their general letter, remark, 'Never, perhaps, since the divine commission of our Saviour was given to his followers, have Missionaries reached the scene of their labors more opportunely, or entered on their work under circumstances more auspicious. The field is fully open, and sufficiently wide, to give scope to all their energies. The heads of the nation, and more than twenty subordinate chiefs, welcome their arrival, and not one appears to oppose their settlement.' The Lord has been graciously pleased to cheer us with the addition of three, who promise to be valuable members. We have also been gratified in witnessing a gradual improvement in the religious feeling of the members generally, and we are not without hopes that others will unite with us before long. Our congregation has increased, and We our Sabbath School improved. have three public services on the Sabbath, besides the school. I have four engagements during the week, two in the chapel, and the other in different sections of the settlement. After all, inherit the promises. we have need of patience that we may I hope I feel thankful that I strength. O that above all we may enjoy health and have health of soul, and see great prosperity on this part of Zion. Nothing but a mighty outpouring of God's Spirit can ever be expected to accomplish this desirable object. For this we look, and for this we would fervently pray. Help us by your prayers. Yours, truly, JOSEPH BOURN. REVIVALS OF RELIGION. Bow, Dec. 10, 1828. Messrs Editors, THE following is at your disposal, and if you think it worthy of a place in the American Baptist Magazine, you may give it publication. HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST, IN BOW, N. H. Nor In August, 1815, Rev. Henry Veazey first visited Bow, and found the state of things somewhat peculiar. That there should be a Congregational and a Baptist church in the same town, was indeed nothing uncommon. was it altogether singular that both were too small and feeble to support constant preaching. The peculiarity of the case consisted in this: Many of the people could not place confidence in the preacher or the preaching. Hence, when Mr Veasey first visited the place, he saw, perhaps, but little to encourage him. It was not, however, long before he became better known, and, in the same proportion gained their confidence. As numbers wished to enjoy the benefit of his labors, the following method was adopted. A society was formed, in which there was but one professor of religion; and as the church did not seem willing to go forward in |