vibrations of the presiding will, being felt continuously down to the extreme members. We may therefore reasonably expect that more extensive success would accompany well-directed prayerful efforts for the conversion of China, than if it were parcelled out into a number of rival states, in which case, the reception of Christianity by one state would be the very reason why it would be hated by an emulous neighbour state. So much of the influence of Christianity as we can bring to bear on China, will bear upon it as a whole. And if the ruling will, should by the grace of God be moulded to the will of Christ, who can tell what would be the delightful result of this powerful agency guided by the Gospel? Is not this an event sufficiently sublime in itself and "devoutly to be wished" to call forth our prayers and efforts?

Another circumstance which enables us to bring the influence of the Gospel to bear on China as a whole is the oneness of their language and literature. Though the spoken language is marked by provincial peculiarities, yet the written language is so uniform, not only in character, but in style and idiom, that a written work which would be understood in one part of that vast empire, would be universally intelligible. We may say with our author "what a stimulus does this afford to an active and energetic mind, while engaged in studying the Chinese language, or inditing a book for their instruction, that he is doing what may be available to the benefit of so many millions!"

There is also a great oneness in their religious views and practices. "When a man has studied the Chinese character in one place and one person he has studied it in all; and when he has discovered a train of argument that will silence the philosophical and superstitious objections of one individual, he has provided himself with materials that will be serviceable on all occasions."

Then too their increase, though at first appalling, is in reality encouraging. They cannot be confined within the limits of the empire. They must by their overgrown weight burst their bounds and come forth to regions where the royal will cannot prevent them from receiving the instructions of missionaries. Our author's remarks on this point are worthy of special regard.

"A nation increasing as does the Chinese, cannot be long confined within narrow bounds, and restriction with them is impossible. Imperial edicts are already weak and inefficient, but will soon be flung to the winds. Hunger cannot be controlled, and necessity knows no law. Let but another age roll by, and China double her population once more, and her very increase will break down her political barriers, and bring her myriads in contact with the Christian world. Let vigorous measures be taken for the thorough instruction of the Chinese emigrants, and, while coming adventurers get an acquaintance with the truth, returning individuals will carry with them what they have learned; and thus, within and without the limits of the empire, all will gradually be evangelized. The multiplication of their numbers, therefore, viewed in this light, presents an encouraging aspect, and would lead us to anticipate the period as not far distant, when China shall stretch out her hands unto God."

Europeans oppose a barrier to the realization of these glowing prospects by the introduction of opium. On this point we must leave our

author to speak for himself, which he has done strongly and manfully. Of the dire effects of opium, he says

"Those who have not seen the effects of opium smoking, in the eastern world, can hardly form any conception of its injurious results on the health, energies, and lives of those who indulge in it. The debilitating of the constitution, and the shortening of life, are sure to follow, in a few years, after the practice has been commenced; as soon and as certainly, if not much more so, than is seen to be the case with those unhappy persons, who are addicted to the use of ardent spirits. The dealers in opium are little aware how much harm they are the instruments of doing, by carrying on this demoralizing and destructive traffic; but, the difference between the increase of the Chinese people, before and after the introduction of opium, ought to open their eyes, and lead them to ask themselves whether they are not accountable for the diseases and deaths of all those, who have suffered by its introduction. And if it be true that the Chinese increased at the rate of three per cent. per annum, before the commencement of the traffic, and at the rate of one per cent. per annum, since, it would be well for them to consider, whether the deficiency is not to be attributed, in some degree, to opium, and the guilt to be laid at the door of those who are instrumental in introducing it. They may flatter themselves, that if the growth of population were not thus checked by the introduction of opium, its increase would be curtailed by wars or pestilences; or the superabundant populace would perish by famine, and starvation effect what opium would not accomplish. Still, whatever cause might contribute to the balancing of the population with the means of subsistence, human life could not be sacrificed, without blame, being attached somewhere; and blame, in proportion to the greatness of the evil which might result from the measure.'

"Those who grow and sell the drug, while they profit by the speculation, would do well to follow the consumer into the haunts of vice, and mark the wretchedness, poverty, disease, and death which follow the indulgence; for did they but know the thousandth part of the evils resulting from it, they would not, they could not, continue to engage in the transaction. **** When the habit is once formed, it grows till it becomes inveterate; discontinuance is more and more difficult, until at length, the sudden deprivation of the accustomed indulgence produces certain death. In proportion as the wretched victim comes under the power of the infatuating drug, so is his ability to resist temptation less strong; debilitated in body as well as mind, he is unable to earn his usual pittance, and not unfrequently sinks under the cravings of an appetite, which he is unable to gratify. Thus they may be seen, hanging their heads by the doors of the opium shops, which the hard hearted keepers, having fleeced them of their all, will not permit them to enter; and shut out from their own dwellings, either by angry relatives or ruthless creditors, they die in the streets unpitied and despised. It would be well, if the rich opium merchant, were sometimes present to witness such scenes as these, that he might be aware how his wretched customers terminate their course, and see where his speculations, in thousands of instances, end. **** In fact every opium smoker may calculate upon shortening his life ten years from the time when he commences the practice; one-half of his physical energies are soon gone; one-third of his scanty earnings are absorbed; and feeling strength and income both diminishing, while the demands upon his resources are increased, he seeks to obtain by duplicity what he cannot by labour, and thus his moral sense becomes blunted and his heart hardened, while he plunges into the vortex of ruin, dragging with

earn

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*

him his dependent relatives, and all within the sphere of his influence. Calculating, therefore, the shortened lives, the frequent diseases, and the actual starvation, which are the result of opium smoking in China, we may venture to assert, that this pernicious drug annually destroys myriads of individuals. No man of feeling can contemplate this fearful amount of misery and mortality, as resulting from the opium trade, without an instinctive shudder. It has been told, and it shall be rung in the ears of the British public, again and again, that opium is demoralizing China, and becomes the greatest barrier to the introduction of Christianity which can be conceived of. Almost the first word uttered by a native, when urged to believe in Christ is, "Why do Christians bring us opium, and bring it, directly, in defiance of our own laws? That vile drug has poisoned my son-has ruined my brother-and, well nigh led me to beggar my wife and children. Surely, those who import such a deleterious substance, and injure me, for the sake of gain, cannot wish me well, or be in possession of a religion that is better than my own. Go, first, and persuade your own countrymen to relinquish this nefarious traffic; and give me a prescription to correct this vile habit, and then I will listen to your exhortations on the subject of Christianity."

The quantity of this life-devouring monster smuggled into the country, is awful. According to a table given, the amount consumed in 1836 was 27,111 chests, value 17,904,248 dollars. The following extract from the pen of a Chinese officer will somewhat abate our surprise that those should be styled "barbarians," who, with such savage injustice, force, with blood, a passage for this "angel of death" into the Chinese territory. He states

"That, recently, the number of chests imported has exceeded 20,000, and that the sum paid, annually, exceeds eleven millions of dollars. Within the last few years, he adds, foreign ships have visited all the ports along the coast, from Canton, as far as Chinese Tartary, for the purpose of disposing of their opium, and though the local authorities immediately expelled them, yet the quantity clandestinely sold, is by no means small. The foreigners have, besides, a depôt, for opium, at Lintin, in the entrance of the Canton river, where they have seven or eight large vessels, called receiving ships, anchored all the year round. In Canton, the native brokers pay the price of the opium to the foreign merchants, when they obtain orders for the drug from the receiving ships. They have also convoys, plying up and down the river, which are called fast-crabs, and scrambling dragons. These are well armed, with guns and pikes, and manned with desperate fellows, who go, as if they had wings. All the custom-houses and military stations which they pass, are literally stopped with bribes: and if they chance to meet any of the armed cruisers, the smugglers do not scruple to come to an engagement, and bloodshed and slaughter ensue. The governor of Canton lately sent a naval officer, with a sufficient force, and captured a boat laden with opium, seized one hundred and forty chests, and killed and took prisoners, scores of smugglers; yet, the traffic was not at all check.ed. Multitudes of the people, have but little dread of the laws, while they use every device to escape punishment, and are eager after gain: indeed, the laws are, sometimes, utterly without effect."

How much have those Englishmen who are truly patriotic and jealous for the honour of God, to do, by generous and holy conduct to cleanse off the stain which the rapacity and crimes of their countrymen

have deeply imprinted on the honour of their nation and the Christian name! We hope none "who name the name of Christ" have defiled their hands with this traffic. The sentiments of our author are worthy of being reduced to practice.

"True morality will lead us to inquire, whether the thing be right or wrong; and, if the latter can be established, it is ours to renounce it, however lucrative to ourselves, or grasped at by others. The golden rule, of doing to others as we would be done by, will teach us to avoid being accessory to the spread of allurements, and incentives to vice, when we pray every day, for ourselves, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

The Observer for last month announced the cessation of the opium trade. This news is, we fear, too good to be true. The lucrative character of the trade gives it too much vitality to allow of its being so easily crushed. Its extermination must be effected by a war as vigorous and long continued as that which has dispossessed slavery of her dark dominions. Experience shews that enlightened public opinion, under the direction of Christian principles, is the only effective medicine for such social diseases.

[To be Continued.]

Missionary and Religious Entelligence.

I. MISSIONARY AND ECCLESIASTICAL MOVEMENTS.

Since our last the Rev. A. F. Lacroix and family have returned from their trip up the country, with improved health.-The Rev. J. Kennedy and Dr. Sommers of the London Society, have proceeded to Banaras. Dr. S. intends (D. V.) to study Hindustání for the purpose of preaching to the Musalmáns in Calcutta and will return after he has acquired the language. We are happy to hear that our Baptist brethren expect a reinforcement of labourers next cold season.-The Rev. Mr. Lawrence of Digah has removed to Monghyr to assist the Rev. Mr. Leslie.-Rev. J. Finck, formerly of Akyab, has removed to Chittagong.—The strength of the Bombay Missions has been increased by the arrival, during the past month, of three additional agents, Mr. and Mrs. Robertson of the Church Missionary Society, and Miss Reid of the Church of Scotland's Mission. Mr. Robertson is to be engaged, we believe, in the Money School; and Miss Reid is to act as a superintendent of Gujaráthí Female Schools. Few circumstances can be more satisfactory to every philanthropist than the brightening prospects connected with a Christian education in this Presidency. May these various movements be according to the mind of the Spirit.

2. THE MECHANIC'S INSTITUTION.

This promising Institution has at length been fully established, the laws passed, and the first lecture determined to be delivered early this month. We trust it may be the means of doing much and lasting good.

3. THE MUHARRAM AND CHARAKH.

The noisy and senseless pageant of the Muharram has passed.—When will it pass away for ever? We have nothing to add to what we have said

on the subject in former years, beyond this that it is passing strange that the Christian inhabitants of this Christian city should be dinned and maddened by this annual nuisance. Why do not the government prohibit the procession from entering the Christian parts of our city. We are happy to perceive that our worthy Chief Magistrate has issued an order, prohi biting the more demoniacal exhibitions of the dreadful Charakh to pass through those parts of the city especially christian. We do hope that our more intelligent Native fellow-citizens will strengthen this purpose of the Government by withdrawing their support from the Pujah and cutting of the supplies.

4. SERAMPORE LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY*.

A Society was formed on the 1st of June, 1836, by a few ladies in Serampore, with the view of procuring by the sale of their own needle and fancy work, some aid for the Native Female Asylum in that place.

The Society soon consisted of twelve members, who from a sale at the end of the year, were so happy as to realize One Hundred and Fifty Rupees. Thus encouraged, they renewed their endeavours in 1837, and by increased exertions, obtained by the close of the year, Five Hundred Rupees. A change of circumstances now rendered it expedient, however, that they should no longer confine their Funds to one object. It was, therefore, unanimously resolved, that they should devote Two Hundred Rupees to the Native Female Asylum, One Hundred to Serampore College, One Hundred to the Native Hospital, and that One Hundred should be set aside for Missionary purposes. This latter sum was appropriated to the support of a Native Missionary, part of whose duty should consist in instructing in the Bengali language, those members of the Society who were desirous of making themselves useful among the Natives.

The Society, commenced the present year, with twenty-five members, four of whom, however, are children under ten years of age.

The Ladies of the Society feel themselves called upon by the late changes in Providence, and particularly since the last of the three venerable Heads of the Serampore Mission has been laid in the grave, not only to redouble their own efforts in aid of those Religious and Benevolent Institutions which they founded, but to invite others to join them who may be desirous in any way of promoting the cause of Religion and Benevolence in that spot which was for so many years the seat of the labours of CAREY, MARSHMAN and WARD.

5. BAPTISM OF A NATIVE YOUTH.

It affords us sincere pleasure to announce the Baptism of another Hindu youth connected with the General Assembly's Institution. He was a pupil in the First Class in that excellent Institution, and had been for some time under very serious impressions. For many months he had been subject to the persecution of his friends for righteousness' sake; notwithstanding this he steadily persevered in the good way, and on the eighth of last month presented himself as a candidate for Baptism, which ceremony was performed by the Rev. D. Ewart at the Mission House, Simla, in the presence of the members of the Scottish Mission. We rejoice at this additional token of the Divine favor resting on the Institution. May this youth be the first-fruits of many from the same class, and may he stand fast in Christ to the end.

We have much pleasure in recommending this praise-worthy institution to the benevolent public.