BRITISH (BAPTIST) MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

A correspondent of this society, in giving an account of the state of religion in the county of Devonshire, remarks:

"I rejoice to hear that you are at your posts, and that the Heathen at home are the objects of your care. Many, many eager inquiries have been made by respectable friends concerning its moral state. We have 472 parishes, more than 383,000 inhabi tants, a general darkness pervades the whole, and I do not think that 30,000 of them hear any thing like the gospel!

"A church has been collected at Crediton, of about 47 members; but their minister has been driven from them by starvation. But, gentlemen, shall it be left? Sixty pounds a year might support a labourer at that place; and there is not a more important missionary station in Hindoostan."

SCOTLAND.

EDINBURGH AND LEITH SEAMAN'S FRIEND SOCIETY.

We have much pleasure in announcing that this society, which was instituted a few months ago, exclusively for the benefit of the seamen at Leith, has already been able to carry into effect an important part of its proposed plans. On Sabbath, Sept. 17, sermons were preached, for the first time, on board the Westmore land, lying in the second dock. Although the number of vessels in harbour at present is few, yet on each of these occasions the congregations were numerous, and must have exceeded 400. A scene so solemn, and so deeply interesting, has never, we believe, been witnessed in this place; the service commanded the most devout attention, and from the favourable impressions which appeared to be made, the happiest results may be anticipated.

IRELAND.

BAPTIST IRISH SOCIETY.

Letters from the ministers and readers in the employ of this society, give interesting accounts of the progress of the numerous schools under the patronage of this institution. At present we shall make but one short extract from the "Irish Chronicle" for December, which will show that "His Holiness's" opposition to "education in Ireland," will be of more solid benefit to that oppressed country than he intended.

From the Rev. Josiah Wilson.

Sligo, Oct. 24, 1820. There remains yet much land to be possessed, and great solicitude among the inhabitants for the blessings of education; nor will any efforts by the enemies of the present system of education be effectual to prevent it, but the adoption of another system excluding the use of the scriptures. This seems to be the persua sion of his Holiness himself, as expressed in another Brief, that has been issued from the palace of the Propaganda Fide!

VOL. VII.

4 K

I send you this new document on the subject of "Education in Ireland," and am persuaded you will think with me, that it is a fresh evidence of the good that is doing in this country. Yes, sir, our enemies themselves being the witnesses and the judges, knowledge is increasing, scriptural information is extending, and therefore anti-scriptural systems are trembling to their base. You will perceive in the paper, in a parallel column with this apprehensive document, advertisements of public meetings to be held in this town, for the very purpose of promoting what is there apprehended, viz. the furtherance of education and the circulation of the scriptures.

SWITZERLAND.

BASLE MISSIONARY INSTITUTION.

Opening of the Missionary House.

A large and commodious house having been lately purchased, and fitted up for the reception of the students, a meeting of the friends of the institution took place, on the 20th of June, for the purpose of opening the house for the objects of the institution. Dr. Steinkopfi's visit to Bâsle, on the service of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was the time chosen for a solemn service, in dedication of this house to the glory of God.

About 400 persons assembled in the school room of the institution : : among them were the clergy of the town and of the canton, the greater part of the Professors of the university, and some of the most distinguished members of the government.

The ceremony began by a hymn, in character resembling that of Dr. Watts Come, Holy Spirit, come"-and a prayer by the President of the society, Mr. Von Brun. He afterwards expressed, with remarkable feeling, the sentiments which filled his heart on this occasion. His spirit of seriousness and piety seemed to be diffused through the whole assembly.

Mr. Blumhardt gave a succinct narrative of the rise of the institution.

Dr. Steinkopff then spoke-and with peculiar effect; both because formerly, as minister at Bâsle, he was intimately acquainted with very many present in the meeting, and many to whom his ministry had been blessed; and also as from him had originated the first idea of forming this missionary institution. He urged them to give by the example of the people of England; and, indeed, by the example of the Heathen themselves, who in their rites did not hesitate to sacrifice their children; and concluded, by asking for the prayers and the assistance of his hearers, on behalf of this institution.

After Dr. Steinkopff, there arose up a young student, named Felix P. Jaremba. He is of one of the principal families of Russian Poland; but has left all, that he may go forth and proclaim to

the Heathen the glad tidings of salvation. The students had, the night before, begged to be permitted to express their gratitude on this occasion, and they chose Mr. Jaremba to be the organ of their sentiments. His seriousness and energy spoke even as much as his words.

Mr. Stockmeyer and Mr. La Roche, ministers at Bâsle, then addressed the meeting, which was closed by Mr. La Roche with fervent prayer.

POLYNESIA.

MISSION TO THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. For several years past, the eyes of the Christian community has been fixed upon Owhyhee, and the neighbouring islands, as an inviting field for missionary labour. Attention was first drawn to this most delightful cluster in the northern Pacific, by the fact, that some of the natives, providentially cast upon our shores, were receiving the advantages of a liberal and Christian education, and had apparently become the subjects of that spiritual change, which alone could fit them to be useful to their countrymen in the highest sense. The hope, that they might return to their native islands, accompanied by faithful missionaries, and bearing the of fers of mercy to ignorant and perishing multitudes, was greatly strengthened by the wonderful displays of divine grace in the islands of the Southern Pacific. The lamented Obookiah was anxiously looking for the day, when he should embark on this voyage of benevolence and of Christian enterprise. Though it seemed good to the Lord of missions, that his young servant should not be employed, as had been desired by himself and others, but should be called to the enjoyments of a better world, divine wisdom had prepared, as we trust, other agents to aid in accomplishing the same blessed design.

Tamoree, king of Atooi, expressed himself as being exceedingly desirous that missionaries should come and teach the people to read and write, as had been done in the Society Islands. This he did in conversation with American sea-captains, and wrote a letter, to the same effect, by the vessel which brought this intelligence, addressed to his son at Cornwall. This son, though not attached to the mission, sailed with the missionaries, and professed a desire to befriend them, and to promote the cause of truth among his countrymen.

The principal means, which Providence used to bring about this surprising result, was the continually repeated rumour of what had been done in the Society Islands, and the continually repeated assurance of our sea-captains and sailors, that the whole system of idolatry was foolish and stupid. Thus has a nation been induced to renounce its gods by the influence of Christian missionaries, who reside at the distance of nearly 3,000 miles across the

ocean. Thus, while the Gospel is becoming the power of God. and the wisdom of God, to many in the Islands of the Southern Pacific, the distant rumour of these blessed results has made the idolaters of the Northern Pacific ashamed of their mummeries, and consigned to the flames the high places of cruelty, the altars, and the idols together.

UNITED STATES.

MISSION TO THE CHOCTAWS.-ELLIOT.

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

This is le primary seat of the mission to the Choctaws-named after the "Apostle of the In ans"-within the state of Mississippi-on the Yalo Busha Creek, about 30 miles above its junction with the Yazoo; 400 miles W. S. W. from Brainerd-70 miles west of the Chickasaw Agency-100 north of the Choctaw Agency, and 145 miles from the Walnut Hills; which last mentioned place is a little below the entrance of the Yazoo into the Mississippi, and about 130 miles above Natchez.

"The Rev. Mr. Kingsbury's acquaintance with the native character, his high standing in the esteem and confidence of both red men and white,-and the experience which he had in commencing and advancing the establishment at Brainerd, combined to render it, in the view of the Committee, highly important that the superintendence of the Choctaw mission should be committed to him." Such was the statement made in the Report, two years ago, at the commencement of this mission; and the Committee think it right now to say, that the confidence thus expressed has been fully justified, and the anticipations thus made public have even been surpassed, in what has been realized.

It was on the 27th of June, 1818, that Mr. Kingsbury, and Mr. and Mrs. Williams, arrived at this place from Brainerd. The place was then an entire wilderness; and after various hindrances, and necessary arrangements, the first tree was felled, upon the spot selected for the establishment, on the 15th of August. On the 16th of the same month, their first log house was erected, for the lodgment of the family. On the 29th, Mr. Peter Kanouse and his brother John G. Kanouse with his wife, from Rockaway, N. J. and Mr. Moses Jewell and wife, from Chenango County, N. Y. arrived at the station, as assistants. About the middle of the next January, Mr. A. V. Williams, from Saratoga Co. N. Y. a brother of the first assistant, joined the mission. On the 1st of the ensuing February, Miss Sarah B. Varnum, now Mrs. Kingsbury, from Dracut, Mass. and Miss Judith Chase, now Mrs. Williams, from Cornish, N. H. were gratefully wel comed to the mission family. Six months after, on the 1st of August, the mission was further cheered and strengthened, by the arrival of Dr. William W. Pride, a young and devoted physician, from Cambridge, N. Y. and Mr. Isaac Fisk,* a highly approved

MR. FISK died on the 19th of September, 1820. This man furnished a rare exam ple of excellence, though little known beyond the circle of his neighbourhood, until a year or two before his death. Modest and retiring in his manners, and tender of the feelings of others, he would on no other account give them pain, than in attempting to show thein the malignity of a sinful nature.

blacksmith and farmer, from Holden, Mass. On the 1st of July last, Mr. Anson Dyer and Mr. Zechariah Howes, agriculturists and schoolmasters, in the prime of life, reached the station, from Ashfield, Mass. Their companions, on the journey, Mr. Joel Wood, of like qualifications, and his wife, sister of the Messrs. Williams, from Salisbury, N. Y. were left some distance behind, on account of sickness; and it is not known how long they have been detained.

The Rev. Alfred Wright, who was mentioned in the Report of the last year, as being designated for this mission, and then expected to proceed to the station from South Carolina before winter, owing to circumstances not to be controlled, found it necessary to defer going until spring; and, having returned to visit his friends in New England, he set out from Columbia, Con. June 1st, with instructions, for purposes of agency, to proceed leisurely and somewhat circuitously, to Elliot. He was at Marietta, in Ohio, about the middle of August.

On Wednesday, Sept. the 14th, Messrs. John Smith, Calvin Cushman, and Elijah Bardwell, with their wives and children, substantial farmers, and two of them accustomed to school keeping, aged from 35 to 40, of Goshen, Mass. and Mr. William Hooper, of Berwick, Me. a young man, a tanner and shoemaker, and well qualified also to act as a schoolmaster and catechist,-set out with four waggons from Goshen, for this same mission.

Mr. Peter Kanouse, on account of ill health, as mentioned in the last report, left the station about five weeks after his arrival, and returned to New-Jersey. And the last of August, a year ago, his brother, Mr. John G. Kanouse, who did not consider himself engaged, like the rest, for life,--returned also with his wife, from the mission.

Only a week after, on the sixth of September, the mission was still farther diminished and deeply afflicted, by the decease of the younger Mr. Williams. His disease was distressing and rapid, but his mind was steadfast and serene; and his death peaceful and consolatory.

This beloved and lamented youth was hardly nineteen years old, when, with uncommon maturity and strength of mind, and of modest, fervent, and active piety he entered the service; saying, in a letter written at the time," I have a desire to do all the good I cair. I feel willing to be spent in the service of my God." His revered and respected father could say,—and did say,—in answer to inquiries with respect to his feelings on the subject: "I would,

Having noticed the sickness of several members of the mission family, one of the missionaries says: "But these afflictions we should consider light, in comparison with the dispensation of Providence, which has by death snatched away one of the pillars of this establishment. On the third instant brother Fisk was attacked with the bilious fever. On the 19th he fell asleep in Jesus. By his death the cause has lost one of its most faithful votaries. He was zealous, persevering, and most exemplary. We feel, we mourn for our loss; but he is now reaping the reward of the faithful."