close of each preaching service, which, with the proceeds of the tea, we were enabled to pay for lighting, cleaning, and warming the chapel, &c., £10. off the chapel debt, and had a surplus of £4. R. B. B.

MISCELLANEOUS.

FRANCE.-Religious intolerance,-Neither the priests of Rome, nor even the civil magis. trates seem able to accustom themselves to the simplest consequences of religious liberty. We are always hearing of prosecutions, instances of petty tyranny, and modes of action which peril our most sacred rights. No sooner is the contest ended on one point, than it recommences, next day, on another. In vain do we invoke the Constitutional Charter, which says in its fifth article, 'Every one professes his religion with equal freedom, and obtains for his worship the same protection.' The procureurs du roi, who have received orders to do their utmost to win the good graces of the Popish clergy, are ever inventing some fresh subtilty against the provisions, thus clear and explicit, of this article. The freedom promised by the Charter is mutilated at the will of the Government, and the protection guaranteed to various communions is transformed into judicial processes, whenever men in power are prompted, from political considerations, to institute them.-From the Evangelical Christendom.'

GERMANY.- Oppression of protestant dependencies.-What we could advance, though of overwhelming interest, dare not appear in any accredited shape; dare not be vouched for by noble, or clergymen,-I mean the systematic, unwearied, ever-increasing oppression of Protestantism in the Russian dependencies. I can assure you, that the gradual dissolution of the Lutheran church is advancing with steps both sure and rapid. Seduced by cautiously communicated, but unhesitating promise of government aid if they apostatize, vast numbers of the Livonian peasantry, especially those near the Esthonian frontier, are well prepared to go over to the Greek church; while on not a few the initiating rite of anointing has already been exercised. - From the Evangelical Christendom.'

BRITISH EMPIRE MUTUAL LIFE AssuRANCE COMPANY, designed to combine and extend the advantages attending societies for life assurance and well conducted building societies, 37, New Bridge-street, Blackfriars, London.-We have been much interested in perusing the plan of this newly incorporated society. It appears to us to realize all that can be desired in our assurance company. It is economical-it effects policies of a small amount-it gives a healthy control over the direction to the members of the comVOL 8.-N. S.

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pany-and it secures to them every benefit that the prosperity of its funds may yield. We are happy to learn that it has already received support beyond even the most sanguine expectations. Liberal men devise liberal things. We trust that agencies will be speedily appointed in all our large towns, and that many of our readers will avail themselves of the benefits of this society.

LOUGHBOROUGH.

Arrangement between Baxter Gate and Wood Gate churches.-At a meeting of the committee, appointed pursuant to the recommendation of the Midland Conference, held Dec. 29th, 1847,-present, Messrs. W. Stevenson, (Chairman,) John Noble, (Secretary,) John Dean, B. Walker, -and Messrs. John Wallis, John Bennett, John Spanton, and Frederick Stevenson, on behalf of the church in Baxter Gate,-Benjamin Gray, James Moore, John Chapman, and Thomas Chapman, on behalf of the church in Wood Gate.

The chairman asked what are the duties of the committee, and if its decisions were to be final. The friends from Baxter Gate and Wood Gate churches expressed their readiness to consider it so, individually, and promised to use all their influence to induce their re

spective churches to confirm the decision.

On the part of the Wood Gate church, it was stated by Mr. Thomas Chapman, that he was willing to deliver up the deeds belonging to the Baxter Gate chapel, to any person who may be duly authorised by the church assembling there, on himself and the other parties connected with Wood Gate chapel being released from their responsibility in reference to the debt of £393., due to certain parties on note by the Baxter Gate church.

After a full hearing of the case in dispute between the two churches respecting the burial ground, and on inspection of the title deeds, it was resolved unanimously,―That the committee-although they are of opinion that the right to the burial ground in Wood Gate lies with the church in Baxter Gatewith a view to promote peace and friendly cooperation between the two churches, and as the church in Baxter Gate have already ceded the perpetual use of the chapel in Wood Gate to the church now meeting there,-it be recommended that the burial ground be also given up to them; the Baxter Gate friends having equally with those in Wood Gate, free access to, and the use of, the said burial ground; and that the use of the chapel be also granted on all occasions of the funerals of Baxter Gate friends. Samuel Smith, the present sexton, to be continued in his office during good behaviour; and that all future appointments of sexton be by a majority of both churches.

The funds arising from funerals to be appropriated to the repairs of the present walls

ASSOCIATION BAZAAR.

SOME time ago we announced the intention of our friends at Nottingham to hold a bazaar at the forthcoming association, for the sale of useful and ornamental articles, to benefit the funds of our Foreign Mission. We again wish to draw the attention of our various churches and congregations to the subject, and hope there has been preparations made by every congregation to forward something, either in articles made up, or in money. The committee in Nottingham hope the friends who have taken the management at the various places will please to notice, that they

wish to have all the articles sent to them in May, and as early as they conveniently can; in order that a room of a suitable size may be engaged, as they are desirous of exhibiting them to the best advantage.

Contributions may be forwarded either to Mr. W. Stevenson, Draper, Marketplace, Mr. G. Truman, Halifax-place, or to Mr. Barwick, Bond-street, Snenton.

CHINA.

LETTER FROM REV. W. JARROM.

Ngyu Wong, Nov. 1st, 1846.

MY DEAR MR. GOADBY.-This is quite a rural spot, and somewhat romantic too, twelve or fourteen miles from Ningpo, in a north-easterly direction, up one of the many canals that intersect this great country. The canals are the highways of China: so far as is practicable they are always used for the transit of goods and the conveyance of travellers from place to place. My observation has necessarily been very limited, but I have noticed that, all about here small towns and villages stand upon canals in many, though not in all instances, and stretch along one of their banks, just as our principal villages and country towns are upon a highway leading to other and larger towns.

China

has very good roads, but they are narrow, very narrow, consisting of moderate-sized, single flag-stones, with about two feet of paved bolders on each side; beyond this, for a few feet, is grass, &c., and then hedges, fences, &c., much as in England. Twelve feet is a good average for the whole width of theroad

-it is too much. The flag-stones are considered the road, for the most part, and though only wide enough for one person, are well suited for the traffic. Where canals are not found, (this is only among the hills) all sorts of goods and commodities are carried by men. Here, no horses of any description are used, nor any beasts of burden; nor are carts, or drays, &c., used and pulled by men; everything-even goods of the heaviest description, are carried by men, and in some instances many miles. All this is done by the men with cheerfulness and industry. The only instances in which I have at present seen brute labour employed, is in ploughing, when a buffalo, (not a horse; there is not a horse to be seen anywhere in this

neighbourhood) is yoked to the plough; and when they draw up water by their curious water mills for the rice fields, a buffalo is sometimes used, though often this is done by the hand or foot, and beautifully illustrates some parts of sacred writ.

Farming is a very simple operation in China: rice, the principal article of cultivation, is grown on the same land year after year, without any change; here are a few patches of buck wheat,* potatoes, turnips, radishes, lettuce, onions, spinach, &c., though all more or less different from things of the same names which in England are commonly cultivated. And they are all cultivated for man; there are no stock scattered about, as at home. This is a great peculiarity in Chinese scenery, and strikes a European at once the absence of live stock. There are no pasture-lands. In any descriptions I may give of China and Chinese customs, I am always to be understood, except when the contrary is expresssd, to be referring to what I see ten or twenty miles around Ningpo.

We

I should tell you why we are here. are here for health's sake; and it affords me pleasure to have it in my power to inform you that Mrs. Jarrom, who has been ill from the effects of the very hot weather we had in the summer, is much better. Here we are among the hills, and when the weather is fine, it is very pleasant and salubrious. Several of the missionaries have been here or at similar places in this neighbourhood this autumn. In these strange and unfriendly climes, changes of this kind are necessary, while they are for the most part pleasant. It is a great privilege that we are permitted to take such journies, and

I have since ascertained that what I took to be buck-wheat is not so, but a different plant, though useful: the Chinese make bread and a kind of wine from it. Buck-wheat is grown commonly more north, where the rice is not.

spend some days or weeks in the open country, away from all the annoyances and disadvantages of a large and crowded city; it is a privilege that is not enjoied, I believe, by the missionaries of any other of the open ports of this empire. It gives us an opportunity of communicating the scriptures and religious tracts to many who otherwise might never see them, and at the same time of explaining to them the nature and importance of Christian truth, and pointing out the difference between it and the sayings of their own sages, and its infinite superiority. But in these rural districts, not one in twelve or fifteen -and this is a moderate calculation-can read. I suspect that education in China has been very much exaggerated by some Euro. peans, and that the number of reading persons in the empire is very much less per cent. than many would suppose from the representations that have been made. Many who say they can read, and who perhaps can read, can read only a few common characters, and many of these, it is likely, they do not understand. Indeed it is a very difficult thing for a Chinaman to learn to read, and requires several years of daily application; and the poor, who are the bulk of the people, cannot afford, generally speaking, to keep their children at school a period of time sufficiently long. Hence it is not unworthy the consideration of missionary societies, how far it might be beneficial to have schools connected with their missions almost exclusively for poor children; and perhaps particularly schools for girls, for it is a rare thing to meet with a woman who is able to read; I know of not one school of any description for girls in Ningpo; while for boys there are many. As an individual I have no hope for the daughters of China until pious, devoted young women from christian countries will undertake this important department of missionary labour. Ningpo affords a strange example of one English lady, who, unassisted by any society, for the last ten years has devoted herself and a considerable yearly income to the improvement of the women and daughters of China. For some years she was in Java; as soon as the Chinese war was concluded, she came to Ningpo. She has been and is much succeeded in her benevolent and dissinterested labours. She is a holy christian, and esti. mable lady. This is an example worthy of imitation. May it be imitated! From such sacrifices what rich results might be ex. pected! May the blessed God pour out his Spirit upon the churches of his Son, that such instances of self-denial and devotedness to the cause of the dear Redeemer may be more frequent!

Since I wrote the above, I have had some conversation with others, who hold different opinions about schools, and single christian

females coming out and devoting themselves to the work of instructing the female youth of China. I see no reason, however, at present, to alter my opinion; and if those who came out came under the auspices of a missionary society, and resided in a mission family, I incline to think in a course of years much good would accrue. But whereever there are schools, they must be boarding schools, not day-schools; over the children of the latter one has no power or much influence-they come and go as they choose, any thing christian that they may learn at school is more than counteracted at home; while, by having the children bound over to the schoolmaster or schoolmistress for a term of years, one's object is much more likely to be accomplished.

Indeed,

But I meant to say a little about Nyu Wong, the place of our temporary residence. This is the name of a Bhudist monastery, and it is in a monastery that we are taking up our abode. Do you ask, why is this? The answer is ready and obvious. These monasteries stand in the same relation to China as inns do to England, as places for the accommodation of travellers, though very much less used. Within a few miles of this place there are two other monasteries. These are all large, and filled with idols. They generally consist of two or three large temples for idols, and many other smaller buildings, with court-yards and gardens, differing nothing from the generality of Chinese houses. Some of the idols are of large size, and all gilt; principally of wood and clay-some few of brass. The San Paou,' or, 'the three precious ones of Bhuda,' are immensely large, and must have cost a deal. this monastery must have cost an immense sum; the priests tell me-more than two hundred thousand dollars. I do not suppose, however, they know much about it. It is very rarely that one meets with a Bhudist priest of a curious or inquisitive mind, that shall lead him to become acquainted with historical facts, or investigate the truth, or probability, or falsity of their traditions. They have a curious old legend here, in connexion with a small metal bell that is preserved in a rich, gilt, brass pagoda, or small tower, within one of the two large temples here. It is said, that about two thousand years ago this bell came out of a hill a little way off, that opened on purpose for its escape; that immediately it issued, it came to this monastery, where it has been ever since; that it is not like silver or gold, copper or iron, &c.; that it has the property of assuming eight different colours, as white and black, yellow and red, blue and green, &c.; that the person who looks at it sees a colour which is indicative of his heart, and of the state of his condition hereafter; white and black, are bad, very bad-yellow and

red are very good; other colours denote a middling state; that these colours change voluntarily, and may be regarded as the correct judgment of the god. As such it is passed off upon the thoughtless and credulous people. The priests call it, 'the living Bhuda,' and say it is the only one in China, or the world. But it is certain that similar impostures are palmed upon the unhappy people in other parts of this land. However, many people come to see it at certain seasons of the year, and the income at times is considerable. This monastery is well en. dowed with good land, that produces rice, buck-wheat, all sorts of vegetables, &c. There are between twenty and thirty priests here, called Ho-Sang.' This is in China the universal name of a Bhudist priest. But though there are so many monasteries and temples in this country, yet so far as I have seen, the people rarely ever worship. I have seen one man, and only one, worship; and what did his worship consist of the lighting of a few incense-sticks, and placing them before a few of the idols arranged at the sides of the temple, selecting one here and there, placing the remainder before the 'San Paou,' and performing several prostrations. But all this time he was engaged with me, answering my questions, while I tried to persuade him to worship the true God, and forsake these dumb idols. But alas! they care nothing; and if you make them see the folly of their doings, they only laugh, acknowledge what you say is good, and return immediately to their own idolatrous practices. But the work is God's, with whom all things are possible. O for the outpouring of his Spirit! Nothing else can make these dry bones live.' What faith, what patient perseverance in well-doing, what prayer, are requisite ! We are assured that the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth; but to see the idolatrous and superstitious practices of a pagan nation, one almost involuntarily asks, Can it ever be? 'I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.' This is the only ground of our hope, and the only stimulus of our efforts. O for more simple faith!

INDIA.

LETTER FROM MR. BUCKLEY.

Rhumbah, Dec. 8th, 1846.

MY BELOVED BROTHER,-What will be the issue of my labours when I am peacefully sleeping under the sod? is a question which has probably more or less exercised the mind of every minister and missionary.

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And who that has pondered the instructive fact, that the history of the church presents not a scene of progressive advancement, but of alternate prosperity and decay-who that has considered the spiritual desolation of those cities, where flourishing churches were established by the apostles of Christwho that has marked how often the faithful labours of half a century have been apparently blasted by the divisions of a few weeks after the labourer has been taken to his restcan help feeling tearful anxiety as to the result of his own labours after his spirit has entered eternity? Experience will often lead us to entertain far more chastened expectations than accord with the ardour of our de. sires; and the more we realize that we are labouring for God, and that our purest and highest recompense is in His approving smile, the better it will be. Still we must feel and ought to feel deeply solicitous that the work may go on well when we are no more, and those departments of labour which have the most important bearing on its stability should have, (and I trust they do have) a large share of our prayerful attention. An apostle of Christ, when in the prospect of the great change, expressed his earnest desire that his beloved christian friends might, after his decease,' have the truths he had taught them always in remembrance;' and those who watch, and tremble, and rejoice over flocks gathering from the wide wastes of heathenism, cannot but entertain kindred feelings.

I intend these thoughts to be preparatory to some observations on the most hopeful and important feature of our Indian Mission. I refer to the glorious host of native labourers which God has graciously given us. The pre-eminent importance of an efficient body of native preachers must appear to every reflective person. Missionaries in India are in an unnatural climate, and they cannot bear its burning sun, its relaxing rains, its violent changes, and its noxious dews, without great suffering. They have not the ability to read, or study, or labour in other departments as in their father-land. But it is very different with our converted Hindoo brethren. It is their own country; they can safely bear exposure to the fierce rays of the sun that would soon send some of us to heaven; they can live at far less expense than we, and itinerate with much less inconvenience. When the toils of the day are over, they can spread their mat and sleep under a tree without sustaining injury. It would, however, be the height of imprudence for us to do so. Moreover, they must know the thoughts and feelings and reasonings of their own people much better than a foreigner can do, because their knowledge is derived from experience. A deceived heart once turned them aside, as it still turns