Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

death, and so making us partakers of thy resurrection; therein turning us from our iniquities, hereafter in raising us to glory. O Lord we have this day made a covenant of this with thee, and signed the articles of it in the blood of our God, swore to them at the altar; give us grace, we beseech thee, to use the strictest care and watchfulness in our endeavours to perform with thee. Regard not how we have in times past only mocked thee sacredly in these performances. Q let it from this day be otherwise. We have been only on a stage of religion, when we are at our devontest performances; and having turned our backs unto the church, turned them also to our duty, put off the vizards of religion, and we untired ourselves of all our piety almost as soon as the exercises of it were done; and howsoever we tied ourselves, our froward wills have been too strong for all our obligations, and burst out of them, broke all thy bonds asunder, and cast away thy cords from us; although we tied them with all things that were most solemn and most sacred, vows and oaths, and tied them before the body of our crucified Lord and Saviour, with the body and blood of Christ in our hands, as if we had no other desires, no other cares that should do us good, than as we were careful to keep those resolutions and vows; and yet, O Lord, we did let them instantly loosen and slack, pass by and fail. Yea we did break them wilfully, and would not be held in by thine or our own bonds. O Lord, if thou look upon us in this guilt, sure thou wilt have no more to do with us, such false and perjured vow-breakers. But, Olook upon us in thine own blood, which thou hast bid us pour out still to establish and renew our covenant with thee; and let this covenant, wherein we have now taken thee to be our Lord and God, and taken thee who art so in us, remain inviolable: be there then with thy power and authority, subdue our hearts and our desires, and bring them under the obedience of thy laws. Thou that art God Almighty, that didst conquer Death and Satan, bring

it to pass that none of them prevail against thee now in our souls, where thou art: but use thy strength, -O Lord, to drive their power thence, that thy servants and thy people may not be enslaved to corruption and ruin, nor thy enemy gain souls from thee, which thou hast purchased with thy blood, that we having attained thee for our Lord and God, may claim the privileges of thy people here, have the watches, and cares, and securities that thou layest out upon thy treasures and the jewels of thy crown; and by thy body and thy blood being made one with thee, and thou being ours, all things may be ours, thy grace here and thy joys hereafter; thy Spirit may be ours, and thy Heaven ours; and we in thee and thou in us, may all enjoy thy Kingdom, Power, and Glory, for ever. [Allestree.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

t

REPORT of the Proceedings of the Society (in England,) for Promoting Christian Knowledge, for 1817.

(From the Missionary Register.)

DIOCESAN AND DISTRICT COMMITTEES.

AFTER a review of the proceedings, during the year, of the Committees at home, in the order of the respective Diocesses in which they are esta blished, the report reviews those in the Diocesses of Nova-Scotia and Calcutta.

We shall extract the whole of what relates to India.

In the Diocess of Calcutta, through the active superintendence and patronage of the Lord Bishop, the designs of the So ciety, in the establishment of Diocesan and District Committees, have been car

ried into full effect,

CALCUTTA DIOCESAN COMMITTEE.

In the last Annual Report, the General Board had the satisfaction of stating, that the Primary Meeting of the Diocesan Com mittee at Calcutta took place on the 224 of May, 1815. At this meeting, among the Resolutions adopted, all tending greatly to promote the several views of the So ciety, was the following: "That the Reverend the Archdeacons of Madras and

Bombay be respectfully requested to take such steps for the establishment of Dis trict Committees, upon the plan of, and in connexion and correspondence with, thi Diocesan Committee, in the respective

[ocr errors]

Archdeaconries under their jurisdiction, as shall seem to them most expedient and effectual, for carrying the exertions of this Committee into every part of the Diocess."

MADRAS DISTRICT COMMITTEE.

This request of the Diocesan Commit tee was, with much readiness, complied with, by the respective Archdeacons; and, in consequence, a District Committee was formed at Madras, on the 21st of August, 1815, and, from their Minutes, transmitted through the Diocesan Committee at Calcutta, it appears, that, in October, the number of their subscribing Members already amounted to thirty-one; that a Select Committee had been appointed; and that every exertion had been used to make the objects of the Society generally known among the British residents throughout that Archdeaconry.

BOMBAY DISTRICT COMMITTEE,

In the Archdeaconry of Bombay the same good effect has followed the recommendation of the Calcutta Diocesan Committee for the Lord Bishop being then at Bombay on his Visitation, presided at the Primary Meeting of the District Committee on the 8th of June, 1816; when the several primary Resolutions were passed, which embrace the various objects of the Society, and which have been received by the General Board with much satisfaction. This Committee has also made a remittance of two hundred pounds; one-third as a benefaction, and the remaining twothirds to be expended in books on the terms of the Society.

CEYLON DISTRICT COMMITTEE.

Early in the year a Letter was received from the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Twisleton, senior Chaplain at Columbo, acknowledging the receipt of the last supply of books, which had been sent out to him by the Society, at the suggestion of the Lord Bishop of London. He states that the books had been greedily sought for, and immediately distributed; and he expresses a wish that he may obtain a further supply, which he assures the Society would be most usefully bestowed. Since the above Letter, the General Board have had much satisfaction in receiving the primary Resolutions of a District Committee, formed at Columbo, for the Island of Ceylon, at which his Excellency the Governor, Sir Robert Brownrigg, presided; which has received liberal encouragement by the donations of the Lord Bishop of Calcutta and the Archdeacon of Bombay, and, by the subscriptions already received, has been enabled to make a remittance to the Society of 1102.

This Committee state also, that the Book of Common Prayer has been translated into Tamul, by Christian David,

[ocr errors]

formerly a pupil of the Society's venerable and apostolic Missionary Swartz, and now Malabar Preacher in the Island of Ceylon; and that a copy of it has just been sent to Calcutta, by his Excellency the Governor, to be printed at the Serampore Press, entirely at his own private expense. The General Board, desirous to give every assistance to the views of this District Committee, in their earnest wish to attach the people of the Island to our Established Church, who have already shown a general willingness to conform to our Ecclesiastical system, immediately granted a gratuitous supply of Books and Tracts, to the amount of 2001. in addition to those which the Committee had requested;, that the fullest effect might be given to their good wishes and zealous endeavours for promoting the several objects of the Society in that Island.

Thus, by the exertions of the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, and the zeal with which his unremitting endeavours in behalf of the Society have been seconded at the several Archdeaconries in British India, have Diocesan and District Committees been established; and the General Board look forward, with sanguine hope, to the future success of these good designs for the promoting of Christian Knowledge in the eastern World.

EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS.

The increasing importance which attaches to this branch of the Society's designs, is shown by the great addition which is every year made to the number of the children who receive education and religious instruction, by the benevolent exertions of the various Charitable Institutions throughout the kingdom.

The great and continued success of the NATIONAL SOCIETY for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church has enabled their Committee to report to the Members of that Society, that the number of Schools now in union is increased to One Thousand and Nine; and that to the One Hundred Thousand Children who were last year receiving instruction in the Schools then connected with the Society, by this augmentation of the number of schools, Fiftyfive Thousand had been added, making the whole number returned from the Schools at present in union, One Hundred and Fifty-five Thousand. Nor does this number include all those who receive instruction on the same plan and principles; for when the number is computed who receive the same education in Schools not at present in union, it is estimated that the whole number who benefit by the NATIONAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION cannot be less than Two Hundred Thousand.

But, in addition to providing Books for the Schools which educate so large a

number, which, in consequence of a resolution of the National Society, the General Board undertook most cheerfully to do last year, when that resolution was communicated to them, their assistance is in every case granted, when their Members apply for Books on the terms of the Society, for the use of Schools with which they are locally or parochially connected; and when the ready assistance which is given by the Diocesan and District Committees for the furtherance of this great object is considered, it will be difficult to estimate the very great number of those fo whom, in the important object of con veying religious education, the benefits of the Society extend.

DISTRIBUTION OF BOOKS, TRACTS, AND PA

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

956,996

Other Tracts and Papers issued gratuitously, 262,448

Grand Total for the Year ending April 25, 1817, 1,219,444

FURTHER REDUCTION OF PRICE.

In the last year's Report the Board had the satisfaction of stating, that, by means of a different arrangement with the So ciety's Booksellers, they had been enabled to make a reduction of nearly 57. per cent. on the prices of the Bibles, New Testa ments, Common Prayer Books, and Psalters. From the additional allowance recently made by the two Universities, the Society have still further diminished their charge to the Members to the amount of 61. per cent. on the prices then fixed, making in the whole a reduction of 11 per cent. on the former cost.

ARABIC BIBLE.

It is now several years since the Society became liberal contributors to the edition of the Arabic Bible, begun by the late Professor Carlyle, with the intention of distributing it where it might be of most service, when an opportunity should arise. The Board have great satisfaction in stating, that the opportunity so much wished for has occurred, and that there is now every prospect of disposing to advantage copies of the Arabic Version of the Holy Scriptures. Through the kind assistance of one of their Members, the Rev. A. Hamilton, a channel has been found out for forwarding this good work: and he informs the Board, that, at Aleppo, Mr. Barker, the British Consul there, will lend himself most readily to a service of this description; and, in Egypt, the ConsulGeneral, Mr. Salt, will be equally disposed to give every facility in the prosecution of so desirable and important an object. On this prospect of receiving applications for the Arabic Scriptures, the Board immediately referred it to the East-India Mission Committee, to inquire into, and to report on the probable extent of these demands; and further, generally to superintend the management and correspondence on the subject of the Arabic Impression.

FOREIGN AND MISSIONARY PROCEEDINGS. SOUTH-CAROLINA.

3

At the close of the last year, the Board had much satisfaction in receiving a communication from the Protestant Episcopal Society for the advancement of Chris tianity in South Carolina. The Trustees of this Institution, conceiving that there existed an unity of design, and a similarity of operations in the two Societies, were anxious to acquaint the Board with the existence of their religious association, its constitution and bye-laws, its gradual progress, and its flattering prospects of future success and permanent utility. The Board received this interesting communication with peculiar satisfaction; and immediately directed, in compliance with a ciety's Annual Reports for the last five request therein contained, that the Soyears should be transmitted to them. They added also, as a mark of brotherly regard and Christian fellowship, copies of all the bound Books and Tracts on the Society's Catalogue; and assured them, that any communications which they should think fit to make to the Society, would be cordially received.

[blocks in formation]

had interviews with the Metropolitan, and at various times with the most learned of the Syrian Clergy and Laity in Malabar. He inquired very fully into the antiquity of this singular Community, into their doctrine and discipline, their rules, cere. monies, and habits of life. Ile found them ready both to receive instruction and to impart information; and, among other Syriac MSS. he obtained a copy of their Formularies and Liturgy, made out for him under the immediate inspection of the Metropolitan, from which he will probably be able to obtain more authentic particulars respecting the actual tenets of this Church, than any of which the Christian World are yet in possession, and to ascertain what is the degree of purity in which this extraordinary people maintain the principles of the Christian Religion, and in what degree they are found to symbolize with the Church of England.

RAST-INDIA MISSION.

The Members will in a former part of this Report, have seen the progress which has been made in India, by the formation of Diocesan and District Committees. It only now remains to detail the present state of the Society's Missions. "Several letters have been received from India, since the publication of the Society's last Report.

The Rev. Mr. Pezold, in a letter dated at Vepery, the 1st of March, 1816, acknowledges the receipt of the Society's remittances for the preceding year; and communicates information of the death of the Country Priest Sattianaden.

Several other letters have subsequently been received from Mr. Pezold, as well as from Mr. Pohle, Mr. Kolhoff, Mr. Holzberg, and from the Danish Missionaries, in which the most interesting particulars -relate to the kind attentions which the several Missions connected with the Society have received from the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, in the course of his Visita

tion.

rying on its designs. More than one hundred children had been dismissed from School, for want of means to support the Teachers. In this state of things, the Bishop had thought it right, especially considering the relation that had long subsisted between this Society and the Danish Mission, to grant to the latter, on the part of the Society, the desired aid; the nature and extent of which were made to appear in copies of a correspondence that had taken place on the occasion.

The Danish Missionaries were most grateful for what had been done in their behalf; and a deputation of Christians, from Tranquebar, had followed the Bishop from that place, a distance of sixteen miles, to assure his Lordship, that the children were all about to return to School, and that the hearts of many parents were made to rejoice. The Bishop trusted that the Society would approve of what he had done.

The

The Bishop observed, that the Madras District Committee was going on very well; and that Mr. Pezold had agreed to furnish that Committee with books from the Mission Stores, on their engaging to account for them to the Society. Bishop desired that 96%. the amount of what he had then advanced to the Tranquebar Mission, might be paid to his agent, Mr. Seth Stephen Ward, of the Accountant-General's Office, in Chancerylane, which method he meant to adopt in future.

His Lordship was then about to go to Tanjore, where he should not fail to offer to his Highness the Rajah the thanks of the Society, for the countenance and protection which he had long afforded to the Society's Missions.

Annexed to a duplicate of the above-described letter, and dated the 13th of March, 1816, were copies of a letter to the Lord Bishop from the Danish Missionaries, stating the sad circumstances of their Mission, adverted to in the Bishop's let

and of his Lordship's reply to the statement and supplication of those Missionaries; and of their receipt given to the Bishop, for the amount of the relief then furnished, viz. 240 Star Pagodas, or 961.

The Lord Bishop of Calcutta, in a letter to the Society, and soliciting relief; ter dated at Negaarater, near Tranquebar, the 17th of February, 1816, reports, that, in the course of his Visitation through that part of India, in which alone Chris tianity had made any progress among the Natives, he had availed himself of the wote of credit granted him by the Society, and referred to in the Society's Report for 1814. Before his arrival at Tranquebar, accounts had reached him of the distresses of the Danish Mission, in consequence of the cession of that settlement by the British Government, by whom the Mission had been supported, and of the failure of its resources from Denmark. The Mission had contracted debts, for the payment of which the creditors had become urgent, and which it could liquidate only by the sale of property indispensable toward car

The Bishop then goes on to observe, that he had examined the state of the Society's Missions with some attention. The Tanjore and Trichinapoly Missions, from their contiguity and close relation, might be considered as one; and they form together, his Lordship observes, in a Christian point of view, the noblest memorial, perhaps, of British connexion with India. To preserve it from decay, he recommends speedy and effectual aid. Mr. Pohle was far advanced in life, and his energies beginning to fail. Mr, Jacobi's death had left him without a successor; and if none

[ocr errors]

were appointed, especially considering the insufficient establishment of Country Priests, the more distant Christian Flocks might be dispersed, and not reclaimed. Mr. Kolhoff would exert himself to the utmost; but no man could be equal to such a charge, considering that the congregations are spread through a district extending more than 200 miles. The Bishop, therefore, suggested, that a new Missionary be engaged, as soon as possible; and that Mr. Kolhoff be allowed to employ three Native Priests, in addition to those already on the establishment.

The bishop having had an interview with the Rajah of Tanjore, his Highness had assured him, that while the Society sent out such men as Mr Swartz and Mr. Kolhoff, their Missionaries should never want his protection.

The Bishop, when at Vepery, finding that the Mission Press had been for å long time unemployed, had desired Mr. Pazold to submit a statement on the subject, to Mr. Gerickè's executors, as trustees of the Mission property; and should they report the Mission funds to be inadequate to support the expenses of the press, he purposed to set it to work again without delay; the burden not being like ly to be great, and there being in store a good supply of printing paper and ink, &c. Another letter from the Bishop of Calcutta, to his agent, Mr. S. S. Ward, having advised him that he had made a second draft on the Society for 961. to be applied, as the former sum had been, toward the preservation of the Mission Schools at Tranquebar; these two sums have been advanced by the Society, with feelings of gratitude to his Lordship, for his judicious and seasonable application of the powers vested in him, for the benefit of the Missions in India, connected with the Society.

The solicitude expressed by the Missionaries, for an additional appointment of the assistants in their Missions, denominated Native or Country Priests, has led the Society to agree, that, if two or three natives shall be found fit to be invested with that office, and shall receive ordination according to the ritual of the Lutheran Church, the customary allow ances shall be made to them; and the Missionary, Mr. Holzberg, who had been suspended from the exercise of his functions in connexion with the Society, in consequence of reports and representations to the prejudice of his moral character, having transmitted testimonies of a more favourable nature, the Society, tak ing advantage of that knowledge and sound discretion which, it is certain, would be acted upon by the venerable Bishop of Calcutta, have requested the favour of his Lordship to investigate, as far as he can, the true state of the case, respecting Mr.

[ocr errors]

Holzberg; and, if he see fit, to inform him and the other Missionaries, that Mr. Holzberg may again resume his functions in connexion with the Society.

It is painful to the Society's Mission Committee to have to report, that no satisfactory tidings have yet reached them, of suitable persons to be united with their Missionaries in India, in a work that has been long carried on, and, through the blessing of God, has confessedly been productive of much good. The Lutheran Churches in Germany and in Denmark, and particularly the sources there, whence used to issue a supply of well-educated and zealous Missionaries, in consequence of the calamitous occurrences that befel those countries during the revolutionary wars, have experienced so much evil, as to unhinge their powers of action, and to occasion difficulties where none used to be experienced. Correspondence, however, is still entertained with the reputable professors of Halle, in Saxony; and a hope is encouraged of the arrival of two Missionaries, for the Society's establishments in India; respecting whom, if they do arrive, it will be a happy circumstance, should they furnish the same measure of promise as was furnished in the ever-tobe-lamented Jacobi.

Respecting the worthy Bishop of Calcutta, it may be interesting to the public to know, that he has made a very extensive circuitous visitation, which lasted nearly twelve months. After leaving Madras, he travelled over land, through the whole of the south of India, by Cape Comorin to Cochin, from which place he went by sea, to Bombay, where he remained four months, endeavouring to forward the objects of his high office. From Bombay, after touching at Goa, and visiting the Convents and Churches, and at Cananore, where he administered the rite of Confirmation, he proceeded to Ceylon, and spent ten days at Columbo. In the course of this visitation, he had had the happiness of seeing every thing that could be considered as at all important, with reference to Christianity.

By the aid furnished to the Tranquebar Mission, on the Society's account, as before stated by the Bishop, there is reason to believe, that that establishment has been saved from ruin, and its effects from confiscation.

On the settlement of a District Committee at Columbo, the Bishop, availing himself of the vote of credit granted to him by the Society, was likely to promote the printing of a Cingalese version of the Book of Common Prayer, which would be very useful, and could not well be otherwise accomplished. He had engaged a competent person to make the translation, without expense. This book had been printed, in the Tamulian language,

« ПредишнаНапред »