10. THE OPIUM TRADE

has not only ceased in China, but in Siam, the public authorities of that country having in imitation of Lin suppressed the trade, and were, when the last vessels left, adopting the most vigorous measures for preventing its further introduction into the kingdom. The British and American papers state that its consumption has increased in these countries, especi ally amongst the manufacturing classes, and amongst females in particular. This is a subject deeply to be deplored. Matters in China are in statu quo.

Since writing the above intelligence from China informs us of the further determination of Lin to prevent the introduction of the drug :-every European detected in the traffic will be publicly executed.

11.-TEMPERANCE CAUSE.

The cause of temperance appears to advance apace in India. The South Indian Temperance Society deserves honorable mention. It has exerted and is now exerting itself very zealously for the establishment of branch societies in India. We have had a number of its excellent publications placed at our disposal and shall be happy to distribute them to those who may be desirous of forming temperance societies in this part of India.

12.-THE BRITISH INDIA SOCIETY

for the improvement of the natives of India is a new formation of benevolence, the object of which is to better the temporal condition of the people of India. It is formed in London under the auspices of Lord Brougham, F. Buxton, Esq., Geo. Thompson, Esq. and W. Adam, Esq. late of Calcutta, and other gentlemen distinguished for their general philanthropy.

13.-THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

The British Society with its wonted liberality has granted to the Calcutta Auxiliary 17,000 copies of the sacred scriptures in the English language. The issues of that Society during the past year have been 658,068 volumes, and the receipts, £105,255, 2, 11 during the same period.

14.-NEW WORKS CONNECTED WITH MISSIONS.

The following new works connected with Missionary history and ope rations have lately been given to the public. History of Madagascar, by Rev. W. Ellis; History of Missions in India, Rev. W. Campbell, late of Bangalore; History of the London Missionary Society, Rev. W. Ellis ; Biographies of the Fathers and Founders of the London Missionary Socie ty by Rev. J. Morison, D. D.

15. THE WORKING OF THE EMANCIPATION ACT

is most satisfactory to the friends of the Negro. In the West Indies with one or two exceptions, the whole of the liberated slaves have conducted themselves with the greatest propriety. Attempts have been made to goad them into rebellion but in vain. At the Cape, although the old task-masters had endeavoured to throw many obstacles in the way of their laboring in peace and in the hope of reward, the act was working in a manner most satisfactory to the advocates of emancipation. Things are more settled now at Mauritius than they have been. The abolitionists have presented the Marquis of Sligo with a very handsome piece of plate in testimony of their approbation of his upright conduct during his administration in Jamaica. Fowel Buxton, Esq. has published a work on the subject in which he shows that while Britain has suppressed slavery in her colonies it has materially increased under the Spanish, Portuguese and

American flags. He has a project in contemplation for striking the axe at the root of the evil. It is not yet developed. The question of emancipation is daily gaining ground in the United States of America. A vessel is now trading between America and Liberia manned entirely by people of color. She is intended as a passenger ship for free colored emigrants to Africa. Many such have already located themselves on the inhospitable shores of Africa.

16.-NEW ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY.

A Society has been formed in London for the abolition of slavery throughout the world.

17.-THE JEWS.

The deputation appointed by the Scottish Church to visit Palestine, for the purpose of ascertaining the state of feeling amongst the Jews, has left Scotland for that purpose. The deputation is headed by Dr. Black of Aberdeen, a first rate orientalist. An asylum has been opened in Britain for industrious but persecuted Jews.

18.-LECTURES ON GEOLOGY CONSISTENT WITH REVELATION have been delivered in London by the Rev. J. Pye Smith, D. D., author of the Testimony to the Messiah.

19. ANOTHER MISSIONARY SHIP.

The Wesleyan Methodist, in imitation of the London Society, have fitted out a missionary ship for the purpose of communicating with the different islands in the southern Pacific.

20.-STATE OF FEELING AMONGST THE NATIVES.

The state of feeling amongst the Natives on the subject of education, literature and religion is at present deeply interesting. Young educated natives are going about exciting discussions on religious topics. A native (daily) newspaper in Bengáli has just been established. The Society for Promoting Useful Knowledge amongst the natives still continues its sederunts. A circulating library has been established on a pretty large scale. A young Hindu has written a volume of very creditable poems in the English language-another has compiled a history of Benares, and we believe a third is about to write or compile a history of Bengal. A new páṭshálá has been erected near the Hindu College for the purpose of teaching the vernaculars. These various movements indicate a desire on the part of the natives for the acquisition of knowledge and manifest a spirit of inqui ry which, by the blessing of God, may terminate in the promotion of true religion. Why do not some of these more intelligent natives form them. selves into associatons for the abolition of the abominations of the Charak and the Rath?

21.-THE WORK OF GOD IN THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

The last accounts from the Sandwich Islands are of the most cheering description. Hundreds had been added to the churches in the different islands. We regret to add that the captains of two British vessels had fired upon the mission establishment because the authorities would not allow the abandoned crews of these vessels to drag the native females into the vice of prostitution. This may in some measure explain the letter of HUMANITY Copied by the Hurkaru from the Sandwich Island Gazette. The native newspaper in the island conducted by the Missionaries has a circulation of from two to three thousand weekly. This speaks volumes for the intelligence of the people.

22.-A MISSIONARY'S RETROSPECT.

[Extract from a letter from a friend in America.]

"I intended to have written you before this, but such has been the state of my health, that writing is painful to me. But although so long silent I have often imagined myself with my dear brethren in Calcutta and other parts of India with whom I once took sweet counsel. In imagination I have visited your churches, your circles for prayer, and your families. In looking back over four short years my course seems a dream. No situation gave me greater pleasure than that of a Missionary to the heathen. Sad were my feelings when compelled to leave the field, which was thought to be only temporarily; very great was my disappointment when it was decided that my health would not warrant my return to India. But so a wise providence has ordered. I sometimes ask, Is it so, that I am no more to preach the gospel to the heathen? In this I have no hope, as I am compelled to relinquish preaching and engage in active business. I often feel that I was unworthy the high station I for so short a time was permitted to occupy. I now look back on unfaithfulness and want of that spirit of devoted piety which alone will render a missionary useful. I often feel that had I lived near the foot of the cross and drank daily and deeply of the spirit of the blessed Jesus, how much more I might have done in that good cause. As missionaries do we not put too much dependance on outward circumstances, rest too much in schools &c. (and these I do not undervalue), while we are not praying men-do not breathe that spirit of pure devotion that would compel all to feel that we heldconverse with heaven. It is no doubt our duty and privilege so to live that others shall be constrained to say that we have been with Jesus."

23.-MISSIONARY ORDINATION.

On Thursday evening, the 25th of April, a deeply interesting service took place at the Rev. Dr. Morison's place of worship, Brompton, on occasion of the ordination of the Rev. James Legge, A. M., missionary to China. The circumstance of Mr. Legge's prospective union to Dr. Morison's only daughter, added to his youth, acceptableness as a preacher, extensive attainments, and destined sphere of labour, all contributed to throw around the service a peculiar and touching interest. The introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. Geo. Legge, A. M., of Leicester, brother of the Missionary. The ordination prayer was offered up by the Rev. Professor Kidd, who thanked God for the attainments of his young friend in the difficult language of the people among whom he was destined to labour, and affectionately commended him to God and the word of his grace. The charge was delivered by Dr. Morison, who, considering the peculiarly interesting relation in which he stood to the missionary, acquitted himself with becoming dignity and self-possession. Dr. Wardlaw addressed the congregation.-London Christian Advocate.

24.-DR. CHRISTIAN GOTTLIEB BLUMHARdt.

The Rev. Dr. Christian Gottlieb Blumhardt, President (from its commencement) of the Missionary Institution at Basle, known and revered by the friends of Christian Missions throughout the world, died in that city, on the 19th of December, 1838, after a long and distressing illness, in the midst of his adopted children, who all loved him as a father. It is impossible to calculate the loss which, by this event, has been brought upon the Institution, the work of Missions, and the whole city of Basle itself. Dr. Blumhardt was a man of uncommon excellence, and such a Christian as there are few in the world. May God graciously provide the Institution with a successor adequate to the carrying on of the work which he has so well conducted during twenty-two years! Un der his instruction, during that time, more than one hundred and fifty Missionaries have been trained to their difficult career.-Archives du Christianisme, Jun. 13, 1839.

THE

CALCUTTA CHRISTIAN OBSERVER.

No. 88.-September, 1839.

I.-Hints on the Missionary Character; an Address delivered in Union Chapel, at the Monthly Missionary Prayer Meeting.

In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God.-2 COR. vi. 4-10. BRETHREN,

The character we sustain as Missionaries of Christ, is so unutterably important, from its connexion with the glory of God, and the present and eternal well-being of so large a portion of our fellow-men, that any attempt, however feeble, to render that character more perfect, and our labours more efficient will, I am persuaded, receive your candid attention; and even though you may totally dissent from my views, yet I have no fear but that you will listen to my suggestions with respect. Were I not myself so deeply interested in this subject, and so earnestly desirous of profiting by the advice and experience of my brethren, I should shrink from the present attempt at calling your attention to its consideration. But my hope is, that although I may fail in imparting an iota of instruction by my remarks, yet, that I may succeed in eliciting the more mature and profitable suggestions of my honored colleagues.

Yes, beloved Brethren, there is no honour I prize so highly, no privilege I esteem so ennobling, as to be allowed a place, though the very lowest, among those who preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. If there be any such thing as Apostolical succession, it is to be found with those, and those only, who worthily sustain the character of Missionaries of Christ.

It is from this conviction I have made choice of the words before us. They belong indeed to all ministers, but they are the especial inheritance of Missionaries. They are a most faithful portraiture of the character of a good Missionary, drawn by the hand of the prince of Missionaries to the Heathen, under the guidance of the Eternal Spirit. Would you understand then the perfection of the Missionary character and how it is to be attained, study the description given us in this chapter. If you would make full proof of your ministry, meditate upon these things.

It would perhaps be impossible to pen an account so comprehensive and so just-so exactly descriptive of what Missionaries of Christ are, and ought to be, and must be, if they would be faithful to their trust, in language more expressive and concise. The more it is dwelt upon the more full and appropriate, instructive and encouraging it will appear. Some of us may indeed escape the stripes and imprisonments which awaited St. Paul, and which some of our brethren in later times have experienced; but with this exception the rest all comes home to our VIII. 3 R

individual bosoms and business. It is a faithful description of the character we should sustain, of the trials we may expect, of the results we may anticipate.

Keeping this edifying description of the Apostle in view as the standard of excellence, I wish, first, to trace the formation of the modern Missionary character; and, second, to suggest a few hints with special reference to those who are just entering, or contemplate entering upon the Missionary field in India. Let us first advert to the formation of the modern Missionary character. I adopt this order in the discussion of my subject from the supposition that by refreshing our minds with a brief statement of things as they are, we may be better prepared to consider what they should be. In other words that the points of agreement and disagreement in relation to our standard of the Missionary character may be more easily perceived, and thus the foundation for a practical improvement of our subject may be better laid. I must, however, be necessarily very brief and general in my remarks.

We will suppose the case of a young man just about to enter the ministry. He feels a necessity laid upon him to preach the Gospel; and after much prayer and deep mental conflict, he arrives at the conclusion that he must preach to the Heathen. His heart yearns over the millions of men dying without Christ. He thinks of his personal obligations to the Saviour. He feels willing to live and die for His sake. The more he meditates on the subject the more his soul glows with heroic ardour, he smiles at danger, he casts off fear, he contemplates the prospect of an early grave in a foreign land with a feeling akin to rapture; and now it would be to him the most bitter disappointment to be denied the privilege of becoming a Missionary to the Heathen.

Among those who are candidates for the Missionary field, some are probably wrought upon by mere excitement: others have thrown around the enterprize the illusions of poetry; others are borne forward by the eclât, with which the devoted Missionary's name is invested, and are thus candidates for fame: and in all more or less of these considerations may have some weight.

But the very first sight of the miserable degraded Hindus will suffice to dispel the illusions of poetry, or like our October storms carrying before them all that is not solid and fixed, will sweep away all the effervescence of mere excitement: while a month's residence in Bengal will sink almost to zero the unnatural zeal of the mere candidate for Missionary fame. These characters may still linger in the field, a variety of motives may combine to keep them there, but they will not become actual Missionaries to the Heathen. You will find them seeking some less self-denying and less reprobated scene of labour, where they will still retain their nominal rank as Missionaries, and yet evade the cross. Far be it from me to insinuate that there are not fields of labour, apart from actual preaching of the Gospel to the people, where the Missionary of the cross may be honourably and usefully and properly employed. I believe there are-there your speaker must find his place. Denied by nature those powers of articulation so essential to the efficient preaching of the word in the native language, and driven by the force of circumstances to employments somewhat aside from the dearest wishes of his heart, he must be content to labour in that field, and thankful to be so employed; yet he still thinks that there is too much of a disposition to shrink from this most honourable and most appropriate part of Missionary labour, the preaching of the Gospel to the people. No force of argument, no authority of great name, no changes in the spirit of the times, no scorn of men, no ecclesiastical censures, can or ought to set aside a positive command, the only com