found leisure to complete the translation of the New Testament in German, and to commence the version of the Old there to see the room which had contained "Knight George" (as he was cal-ed) for ten months; there to behold the very table which he had used; there to reflect on the consequences of his sacred labours, on the numberless copies of his German version, which have been circulated these three centuries, was to me something quite novel, and filled my mind with such a variety of thoughts and contemplations, that for a time it was entirely absorbed in them. Blessed be God, that our Bible Societies have followed the footsteps of that truly great man; that they consider the free and bountiful dissemination of the sacred writings, one of the richest boons which can be conferred on mankind; and that they endeavour to send them not in one language only, but in all the diversity of tongues to the very ends of the earth. From the Same. Koethen, Sept. 11th, 1820. Eight years ago I had paid a flying visit to Halle. The few moments which at that period I could devote to a cursory view of the "Hallish Orphan House," or more fitly denominated, "The establishment of A. H. Franke," had filled my mind with such astonishment, that I determined at a future visit to bestow more time and attention on this truly admirable institution. I arrived with my companion, Mr. Blumhardt, on Friday the 8th of September, and we agreed to stay over Sunday. We met with the most cordial reception on the part of its two Directors, the Rev. Dr. Knapp and the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Niemeyer. The latter is personally known, as a man of talents, energy, and Christian benevolence, to our revered President, and to most members of the Committee. He has published his Tour to England, and spoken in terms of the highest commendation of the designs and labours of the British and Foreign Bible Society, minutely describing his introduction to the Committee in Earl-street. Dr. Knapp is weak in body, but full in spirit, and distinguished for his profound learning, genuine piety, and unfeigned humility. Both stand deservedly high at the university: their public lectures are frequently attended by more than 200 students. Having the supreme inspection of Franke's establishments, they did us the favour of conducting us over the whole of the buildings. In the front you come to the bookseller's, and the apothecary's shop. Then you enter a large square, on the right of which are the dining rooms, the chapel (which can hold about 1200 young people,) and the Canstein Bible Institution; on the left, the schools for the orphans, for the poor boys and girls who attend from the town, and some rooms for the students and teachers. At the other extremity you see the Pædagogium, where from 80 to 100 young noblemen and gentlemen receive an education preparatory to their going to the university. Of all the buildings, none interested me more than the Canstein Bible Institution. In connexion with Franke's, it has been established by a truly pious and benevolent nobleman, Baron von Canstein. From May 1812, till the end of 1815, upwards of two millions of entire Bibles, and nearly one million of New Testaments, have issued from its press in five dif ferent languages, chiefly in the German; and in the last two years the demands have been so great, that a supply of two hundred thousand copies could not satisfy them.. With emotions of peculiar satisfaction and grateful joy we entered the building consecrated to this benevolent work, and saw twelve presses in full operation. Our kind conductors then led us to another apartment, in which the two Stanhope presses, lately arrived from London, were placed. "These," said Dr. Naudie, "were a present from your Society, which will remain a lasting testimony of your generosity." "And here," added one of the foremen, "are some specimens of printing from stereotype plates, for a German octavo Bible, which was transmitted to us at the expense of of your society." On Saturday we went to the dining-room, and saw 350 orphans and other young people dining. Their provisions are very plain, but wholesome; the utmost order and decorum prevail: a young man reads during the dinner. The singing after it is beautiful. I felt constrained to bless and to adoré God when I represented to my mind that all this, and so much more which I cannot describe, was the work of one great and good man: he honoured God by his faith, and God honoured him. A Catholic clergyman, when visiting the establishment, exclaimed-" Behold what confidence in the living God has accomplished!" The present King of Prussia, when first conducted to a spot from which he could survey the building, stept backward, and was heard to say, "This far exceeds my expectation." He has been and still is a great benefactor to the esta blishment, and has expressed a particular interest in the prosperity of the Canstein Bible Institution. At five on Saturday evening I met the Committee of the Halle Bible Society. Dr. Knapp was in the chair. From the reports of this society, it appears that they have distributed upwards of a thousand Bibles and Testaments in Halle and its immediate vicinity. Having hitherto confined their operations to this limited sphere, I encouraged the Committee to 1 enlarge it, and to take in the whole circle of Halle and the county of Mansfield. In reply it was observed, that they had already made a fruitless attempt, but they would make another, and the superintendents of the clergy present declared, that at the approaching synod they would recommend the concerns of the society in the most earnest manner to the attention and active cooperation of the clergy. Yesterday I enjoyed the privilege of preaching in the very pu! 662 Extract of a letter from New South Wales. pit from which the immortal Franke had so often proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation through a crucified Redeemer: I chose 1 Cor. xiii. 13. for my text. Several of the professors, clergymen, and students, afterwards came, expressing their determination to do all for the Bible society they could. One of the pious students has devoted himself to the missionary work, and will shortly proceed to London, where he has obtained a promise from the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge to be employed in their East India missions. AUSTRALASIA. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. It is truly pleasing to receive from all parts of the world, concurrent tes‐ timonies that a spirit of inquiry is beginning to manifest itself amongst the Jewish people on the most important of all subjects. The following letter is from a quarter from which such tidings would not be expected. Sydney, Feb. 26, 1820. Rev. Sir-A number of Jews now reside in this town; about 30 of whom have lately agreed to meet together once or twice each week to have their own prayers and the Scriptures read to them. Their only acknowledged Levite, Joseph Marcus, whom I have known for some years, is an intelligent, peaceable, and well disposed man. He has devoted much time to the study of the Scriptures in Hebrew and in English, and is favourable to the Christian doctrines. I think half a dozen copies of the New Testament in Hebrew, and two or three Old Testaments, (i. e. the Hebrew Bible,) might be of service to some of them. I leave it entirely to the discretion of your Committee, what besides may be thought suitable to be handed to this people. Who can tell if God will be gracious to them in this land of their captivity and bondage for sin. Deut. iv. 31. I have had much candid, pious, and edifying conversation with Marcus. He now voluntarily, as his bodily infirmities permit him, attends our church, and expresses his approbation of our mode of worship. He says all his former prejudices are quite removed. He has frequently asked me to read to him, and pray with him, that he might have the faith of Abraham, to the salvation of his immortal soul. The books of the prophets have been our meditation for several months. All the Jews are most respectful in their conduct towards me, and I feel it my duty to serve them, in the fear and cause of God, as "Beloved for the fathers' sakes." Gratitude, indeed, constrains; for we know that "Salvation is of the Jews." I beg to congratulate the society on its continued support and increasing influence; hoping that it will go on and prosper, till "all Israel shall be saved." I am, yours, &c. Assistant Chaplain, New South Wales. 1 UNITED STATES. THIRD AND FOURTH MISSIONARY STATIONS. We have the pleasure to announce to the public, that the UNITED FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, while employed in preparing to send out a second mission family to the pagans in our western borders, have added a third and fourth to their number of missionary stations. Some months ago a proposition was made to the Board, on the part of the New-York Missionary Society, (the oldest Missionary Society in the United States,) to convey to us their property, and their missionary stations at the Indian villages of Tuscarora and Seneca, on the Western frontier of this State. The proposition was accepted by the Board at the meeting in November; and the Rev. Mr. Knox, Mr. LEWIS, Domestic Secretary, and Mr. WILSON, Treasurer, were appointed a Committee, with full powers to arrange all matters that might require the attention of the Board, and particularly to appoint Commissioners to proceed to the two stations, in conjunction with Commissioners from the New-York Missionary Society, for the purpose of adjusting the transfer with the Tuscarora and Seneca tribes, and of procuring the information necessary to enable the Managers to conduct the mission with efficiency and discretion. Two Commissioners, the Rev. Mr. RowAN, President of the New-York Missionary Society, and the Rev. Mr. STRONG, Recording Secretary of the United Foreign Missionary Society, were appointed. Furnished with a certificate of their appointment, and a letter of instructions, they commenced their journey on the 24th of November. On their return, they presented to the Committee, and through them to the Board, a detailed and interesting report of their proceedings. This report has since been approved, and the union or transfer ratified by both societies; and we are happy to add, that the New-York Missionary Society has instructed its Board of Directors so to alter its constitution as to render it auxiliary to the United Foreign Missionary Society. With these explanatory remarks, we now introduce to our readers the letter of instructions given to the Commissioners, accompanied with their report. Letter of Instructions. By virtue of the authority vested in us by the Board of Managers of the United Foreign Missionary Society, we, the undersigned, do hereby appoint the Rev. Stephen N. Rowan, and the Rev. P. N. Strong, as Commissioners to visit the Tuscarora and Seneca Nations of Indians, in behalf of the United Foreign Missionary Society, for the purpose mentioned in the following Instructions: First, It is expected, that, on your arrival at the Tuscarora village, you will ascertain whether the resident missionary, and the Indians, are willing to be placed, so far as relates to missionary purposes under the care of this society;-whether it be expedient that the missionary be removed from the farm to the centre of the Indian village ;-whether an additional male or female teacher, or teachers, are required; what is the state of the farm as to buildings, fences, soil, cultivation, &c. and whether, under the management of one or more farmers, it is capable of affording provisions sufficient for the missionary establishment in that place;-and, generally, what measures it will be expedient for the Board of Managers to pursue, in relation to the mission among the Tuscarora Indians. Secondly. On your arrival among the Seneca nation, you will ascertain whether the present teacher and chatechist, and the Indians are willing to be placed, so far as relates to missionary purposes, under the care of this society;whether the Indians are willing and prepared to receive preachers of the gospel ;whether it would be practicable and expedient for the Board to form among the Senecas a full missionary establishment agreeably to the General Principles, a copy of which will be attached to this document;-what will be the best spot for the location of such an establishment, and whether the Indians are willing to appropriate a sufficient portion of land for the use of a mission family-what is the state of the buildings now belonging to the New-York Missionary Society; and, if they are not in the best place for the mission, whether, they could probably be disposed of to advantage. Thirdly.-If facts and circumstances will justify it, you will en ter into a covenant with the Chiefs of each of the two nations; remembering, however, not to bind the Board of Managers beyond their ability to perform, nor to pledge them as to the number of missionaries, teachers, mechanics, and farmers to be sent out. The Board will doubtless do every thing in their power for the best interest of the mission, but the details must be left to their discretion. Fourthly. All your information, as to various points of inquiry, will be reduced to writing at the time you receive it. The number of Indians in each nation, and the number and character of the professors of religion among the Tuscaroras, will form, in addition to others already mentioned, distinct topics of inquiry. Fifthly. You will take the best measures for obtaining donations, and organizing Auxiliary Societies through the whole extent of your route.' (Signed) JOHN KNOX, Chairman of the Com. |